Centre Manager- Educare Bream Bay

Educare Bream Bay is looking for an experienced, values-driven Centre Manager to lead our established centre in Ruakākā. This is an opportunity to bring your leadership strengths, operational expertise and passion for quality early childhood education to a centre where relationships, culture and community are at the heart of everything we do.
Whether you're already based in Northland or considering a move to the region, this could be the opportunity to take the next step in your leadership journey while enjoying a relaxed coastal lifestyle.

Relocation support may be available for the right candidate.
About the Role – Korero mō te Tūranga
As Centre Manager, you'll lead the overall operation and continued success of Educare Bream Bay. You'll have the opportunity to shape team culture, support teaching excellence, strengthen community connections and ensure the centre operates effectively, sustainably and in line with all regulatory requirements.
We're looking for someone who understands that successful centre leadership is about more than compliance and daily operations. It's about building a team that feels supported, creating an environment where tamariki thrive, and balancing quality education with strong occupancy, financial awareness and sound operational decision-making.
You'll be responsible for:

• Providing visible, inspiring leadership that motivates and develops a capable, engaged team.
• Overseeing centre operations, administration, enrolments and occupancy, with a focus on sustainable growth.
• Managing staffing, rosters, performance and professional development to support a positive and effective team culture.
• Maintaining strong financial and operational oversight, ensuring resources are used effectively.
• Ensuring compliance with ECE regulations, licensing criteria, ERO expectations and organisational policies.
• Championing high-quality teaching practice guided by Te Whāriki and Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
• Building meaningful relationships with whānau, kaiako and the wider community to strengthen the centre's reputation and connections.
• Creating a safe, inclusive and welcoming environment where tamariki, whānau and kaiako feel a genuine sense of belonging.

This is a full-time, 40-hour-per-week position, Monday to Friday, working on a roster between 7.30am and 5.30pm. The role is counted in ratio and includes allocated weekly non-contact administration time.

**Our Centre and Community – Mō Mātou -**A place where culture, connection and community come together.
Located in the heart of Ruakākā, Educare Bream Bay is a coastal centre with one whare thoughtfully divided into two learning environments: Ngā Pēpe for our under-two-year-old pēpi and Ngā Kiwi for our over-two-year-old tamariki.

From the moment you arrive, you'll feel the strong sense of belonging that makes our centre special. Our kaiako and tamariki embrace a culture of manaaki, showing aroha and respect as we learn from one another and celebrate different ways of knowing, being and doing.

Our local whakapapa guides our curriculum. We are proud kaitiaki of Manaia – Te Maunga, Te Rerenga Parāoa – Te Moana, te whenua me te iwi. Our commitment to te Tiriti-based practice, te reo Māori, community involvement and our creative natural environment is woven throughout our everyday learning.

As Centre Manager, you'll have the opportunity to build on these foundations, strengthen local relationships and lead a centre that is deeply connected to its people and place.

Discover the Northland lifestyle.
Imagine finishing your working week with the beach close by, enjoying the outdoors with your whānau, or making the most of the relaxed pace and natural beauty of the Bream Bay coastline.
Ruakākā and the surrounding Northland region offer a wonderful balance of coastal living, outdoor adventure and community connection. With beautiful beaches, opportunities to explore the outdoors and Whangārei within reach, it's an appealing place to put down roots and enjoy a different pace of life.
If you're considering relocating, we'd love to help you explore the opportunity.

Relocation support may be available to assist the right candidate with their move to the area.

About You – Mōu
You're an experienced ECE leader who brings confidence, warmth and sound judgement to your role. You enjoy developing people, building positive relationships and creating a culture where everyone can contribute and succeed.

You're equally comfortable supporting kaiako on the floor, managing operational priorities and making informed decisions that support the centre's long-term success.
You'll bring:

• A recognised ECE teaching qualification and current New Zealand teacher registration.
• Proven experience in an ECE leadership or management position.
• Strong knowledge of ECE regulations, licensing requirements, compliance and best practice.
• A sound understanding of Te Whāriki and Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
• Strong operational and financial awareness, including staffing, occupancy and resource management.
• Excellent communication, organisation and people leadership skills.
• The ability to build community connections, promote the centre and support enrolment growth.
• A calm, approachable and solutions-focused leadership style.
• A genuine commitment to tamariki wellbeing, inclusion and high-quality education.
• Cultural awareness and a commitment to honouring the identity, language and culture of our tamariki, whānau and community.

Most importantly, you'll be someone who leads with integrity, builds trust and brings out the best in others.

What We Offer – Ngā Painga ka Tukuna e Mātou
At Educare, we believe our leaders should feel supported, valued and empowered to succeed.
In return, you'll enjoy:

• A meaningful leadership role where you can shape the future of an established centre.
• Support from an experienced wider leadership team
• Ongoing professional development and opportunities to grow your leadership capability.
• Full Pay Parity.
• A collaborative organisation that values people, wellbeing and quality education.
• The opportunity to build strong community connections and make a lasting difference for tamariki and whānau.
• A beautiful coastal location offering an enviable Northland lifestyle.
• Relocation support that may be available for the right candidate.

We proudly live by our motto: Learn, Laugh, Play. We are an equal opportunities employer that celebrates diversity, recognises success and values the contribution every member of our Educare whānau brings.

Join Us – Tūhono Mai
If you're ready to bring your leadership experience to a centre where relationships matter, your contribution is valued, and you can enjoy the benefits of coastal living, we'd love to hear from you.

Whether you're looking for your next leadership challenge locally or are ready for a lifestyle change, this is your opportunity to make a difference at Educare Bream Bay.

If you would like more information about this position, please contact Dayna on [email protected] or [027 307 4169](tel:027 307 4169) - please do not contact the centre directly; they do not accept applications or process recruitment. 

Click Apply Now and submit your CV and a cover letter outlining your leadership experience, what you would bring to our centre, and why Educare Bream Bay is the right next step for you.

We look forward to meeting our next Centre Manager!