Head of Early Years Services

• Senior Executive Officer Salary
• Permanent Full-Time position
• We are a diverse & inclusive council based in St Kilda with a positive culture. 

About City of Port Phillip

We are a vibrant and diverse inner-city council stretching 20kms from South to Port Melbourne along the stunning bay beaches down to Elwood and out to St Kilda East.

We deliver more than 100 programs and services to our engaged community of residents, businesses and visitors. 

We have zero tolerance for child abuse and are a committed Child Safe organisation.

What’s the Role About

As the Head of Early Years Services, you will provide strategic leadership across Council’s early years education and care services, ensuring high-quality, compliant, and community-focused delivery within legislative, operational, and financial frameworks.

Reporting to the Manager Family Youth and Children, you will lead a multidisciplinary workforce across five service sites, drive cultural change, and strengthen alignment with evolving legislation, sector developments, and community needs.

What You Will Do

• Lead and manage a broad team including Business Operations, Pedagogy Leaders, and Centre Coordinators.
• Drive a program of significant service improvement and cultural change.
• Ensure compliance with all legislative and regulatory requirements, fostering a strong child-safe culture.
• Oversee operational systems, processes, and policies to support high-quality service delivery.
• Achieve strong financial performance for Family and Children’s Centres within set parameters.
• Build relationships with internal and external stakeholders to enhance service alignment and community outcomes.

Who We Are Looking For

• A proactive, strategic leader with outstanding people management skills.
• Comprehensive knowledge of early years education and care industry policies, regulations, and legislation.
• High-level ability to develop and implement policy and compliance systems.
• Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving skills with autonomy in complex environments.
• Exceptional communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Relevant tertiary qualifications in Early Childhood Education (or equivalent) with extensive experience.

What’s In It for You

• This is an on-site leadership role, fostering collaboration and team engagement
• Supportive leadership team that encourages collaboration and innovation.
• Discounted fitness memberships with access to 260+ gyms, pools, and classes across Melbourne.
• Childcare access near work hubs.
• Career development opportunities and study assistance (up to $4000 per year + 6 hours/week study leave).
• Active social club, wellbeing programs, and EAP.
• We’re proud of our inclusive culture, with a genuine commitment to diversity and belonging, supported by active employee networks including our Pride Network.
• 20 weeks paid parental leave and 24 weeks for single parents.
• Access to novated leasing and salary-sacrificed technology.

Security Requirements and Professional Obligations

Pre-employment screening will apply, including:

• Evidence of mandatory qualifications/licences
• Proof of right to work in Australia and identity
• National Police Check
• Working with Children Check (employee type)

So, What’s Next?

Hit that APPLY button now!

Whether you think you meet all the requirements or not, we strongly encourage you to apply, as we take a holistic approach to considering your skills, life experience, and alignment to our key selection criteria. You’ve got this!

Please submit:

• Resume – latest and detailed version
• Cover letter (max 2 pages) addressing the Key Selection Criteria in the Position Description.

Note: Only applications submitted via the online Recruitment Portal will be considered.

For further information please contact Mark Patterson, Manager Family Youth and Children, via email [email protected] or phone 0430 656 424

Applications close 11.59pm Sunday 11 January 2026

The City of Port Phillip is an equal opportunity employer, committed to an inclusive and accessible environment where diversity is valued. We actively welcome and encourage candidates from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, First Nations and Torres Strait Islander candidates, members of the LGBTQIA+ community and candidates with a disability.

If you have accessibility requirements or require an adjustment to participate in our recruitment and selection process, please contact Yass Mustafa (Recruitment and Employee Experience Advisor) on 0468 576 806 or email: [email protected]

Planned System Outage Notification

Please be advised that our recruitment system will be unavailable during the following planned outage periods:

7:00pm Friday 19 December 2025 – 2:00am Saturday 20 December 2025

During these times, applications can be submitted via email to [email protected].
Please note: Applications sent outside these outage windows will not be accepted via email and must be submitted through the online system.