Centre Manager (BestStart Sir Tristram Ave)
At BestStart Sir Tristram, relationships come first. We are looking for an experienced and inspiring Centre Manager to lead our welcoming, community-focused centre in Te Rapa.
Tucked away beside the Te Rapa Racecourse at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac, our large modern centre provides calm, thoughtfully designed learning environments where children, whānau, and teachers feel a true sense of belonging. With a strong team culture and established leadership structure already in place, this is an exciting opportunity for an experienced Centre Manager ready for their next challenge.
About the Role
This is a full-time, permanent leadership opportunity overseeing a licensed 100-child centre with a stable occupancy and a dedicated team of 17 staff, including three experienced Head Teachers who provide strong day-to-day leadership support.
As Centre Manager, you will lead the overall operation of the centre, ensuring high-quality education and care, strong team engagement, excellent family relationships, and sound business performance. We are seeking someone who can confidently balance people leadership with operational oversight and who thrives in a collaborative, values-led environment.
This role would suit:
- An experienced Centre Manager looking for a larger leadership opportunity
- A current Centre Manager from a smaller service ready to step into a bigger centre environment
- A confident people leader who understands both the pedagogical and operational aspects of centre leadership
What We’re Looking For
We are specifically seeking applicants who already hold Centre Manager experience within an early childhood setting.
You will bring:
- Proven experience successfully leading an ECE centre
- Strong people leadership and team development capability
- Confidence managing centre operations, occupancy, and financial performance
- The ability to build genuine relationships with children, whānau, and teachers
- A calm, positive, and solutions-focused leadership style
- A commitment to creating inclusive environments where everyone feels valued and supported
- Full teacher registration and a relevant ECE qualification
Why Join BestStart?
At BestStart, we are committed to growing great leaders and supporting our people to thrive professionally and personally.
Our benefits include:
- Full pay parity
- Leadership support from an experienced Area Manager
- Ongoing leadership development and mentoring opportunities
- Access to wider organisational support networks
- Discounted childcare
- Subsidised health insurance
- Mental health and wellbeing support initiatives
- Sick leave from day one
- The opportunity to lead within one of New Zealand’s largest and most respected ECE providers
If you are an experienced Centre Manager ready to lead a centre where relationships, community, and belonging are at the heart of everything we do, we would love to hear from you.
Applications for this role will take you to the advertisers site.
