Centre Manager - Educare Pokeno

An exciting leadership opportunity to join our well-established Educare Pokeno centre, using your skills and experience to lead a passionate team and support the continued success and growth of the centre. We are seeking a capable and values-driven leader with strong operational skills and a genuine passion for quality early childhood education. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys balancing people leadership with practical centre operations and is committed to creating an environment where tamariki, kaiako and whanau can thrive. Key responsibilities Providing strong, visible leadership to the centre team. Overseeing administration, enrolments and occupancy. Managing staffing, rosters, performance and professional development. Leading high-quality teaching practice in line with Te Whariki and Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Building positive relationships with whanau, staff, local schools and the wider community. Maintaining a safe, inclusive and engaging learning environment. This is a full-time permanent role, 40 hours per week, working across the centre's opening hours. The role is ratio-based and includes dedicated non-contact time for leadership, coaching and administration. Educare Pokeno is licensed for 120 tamariki across three purpose-built learning environments and is conveniently located just minutes from SH1 on the Auckland/Waikato border, with on-site parking. You'll join a well-established team within a growing, family-owned organisation. At Pokeno, we believe great leaders create exceptional learning environments. Our focus is on creating a place where children flourish, teachers feel empowered to do their best work, and families feel genuinely connected to their child's learning journey. Supported by an experienced Senior Leadership Team, you'll have the autonomy to lead your centre while having strong leadership support around you. We value coaching, collaboration and continuous improvement, with opportunities to grow your leadership capability and career within Educare. If you're an authentic and approachable leader who is passionate about developing people, building strong community relationships and delivering exceptional outcomes for tamariki, we'd love to hear from you.