Assistant Director/Educational Leader

Role	Assistant Director/Educational Leader
Group	Early Learning Victoria
Classification	Director class
Salary Range	$86,037 - $109,521
Position Reports to	Centre Director
Work Location	Please refer to job advertisement.

ELV is a child-safe organisation committed to creating environments where children are safe, valued, and respected. We maintain zero tolerance for child abuse, harm, neglect, or discrimination in any form. All staff are required to uphold the Child Safe Standards and actively contribute to a culture of child safety. Our Staff Code of Conduct policy outlines expected standards of behaviour for all staff and defines appropriate interactions with children; adherence is mandatory.

Role Purpose

The Assistant Director/Educational Leader will provide leadership and management regarding all aspects of operation of the Early Learning Victoria centre, in line with regulations and organisational policies and procedures. The Assistant Director/Educational Leader will act as the Person in Day-to-Day Charge in the absence of the Centre Director. They will be responsible for leading the service to provide high quality early childhood education and care in line with Early Learning Victoria's (ELV) philosophy. This role will ensure that staff within the service provide education and care in line with the approved frameworks, the National Quality Standards and current research. This role will be responsible for delivering key organisational and pedagogical priorities within a local context to develop comprehensive educational practices across the service.

Role Requirements

Role Requirements	Descriptor
High Quality Practice	Committed to providing an environment where children can flourish and thrive. Supports evidence-informed pedagogy and practice that upholds all elements of: the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework the Education and Care Services National Law and Regulations the National Quality Standards. Guided by the philosophy of Early Learning Victoria.
Compliance and Child Safety	Ensures the centre, educational program and practices are compliant with all aspects of: Education and Care Services National Law and Regulations National Quality Standards, Child Protection and Child Safe Standards Approved Frameworks and all Early Learning Victoria policies and procedures.
Administration	Supports the Centre Director to oversee the day-to-day operations of the centre, including: staffing and child enrolment budgeting and expenditure stakeholder management and centre-related communications.
Service Delivery	Contributes to the implementation of high-quality care and educational programs that support children's physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development. Upholds the Early Learning Victoria philosophy and translates this into centre-level values and goals. Builds and maintains meaningful relationships with families. Facilitates collaboration with co-located services and schools. Ensures centre alignment with the strategic and operational direction of Early Learning Victoria.
Staff Management	Supports the Centre Director with all aspects of centre staffing including: recruitment, induction and rostering performance, training, professional development and mentoring safety and wellbeing. Promotes a positive team culture that values diversity and innovation. Develops strategies for workforce attraction, retention and development, and provides feedback to the central office about opportunities and challenges. Engages with staff on all aspects of operations, fostering a collaborative centre dynamic that encourages communication and shared problem-solving.

Capabilities

Capabilities	Description
Communication	Utilises effective communication skills to develop and maintain meaningful relationships with staff, families and children, fostering a supportive and collaborative centre environment. Promotes respectful relationships and conflict resolution.
Personal Attributes	Demonstrates the public sector values of responsiveness, integrity, impartiality, accountability, respect, leadership and human rights. Flexibility and adaptability Operates well in a flexible and changing environment and manages workload efficiently to meet the centre's needs. Demonstrates initiative and seeks guidance and direction from senior colleagues when unsure. Working collaboratively Supports a culture of collaboration within the centre and builds effective relationships with stakeholders and the community to maximise the impact of the centre.
Leadership & Mentoring	Holds self and team accountable to public sector values and agreed performance standards. Prioritises staff wellbeing, professional learning and career development. Establishes and implements strategies to enhance staff involvement and motivation, including creating opportunities for meaningful staff engagement on critical centre decisions. Creates opportunities to recognise and celebrate the performance and contributions of the team. Leads the development and implementation of educational programs across the service to ensure that practice is aligned with ELV's philosophy, the National Quality Standards and approved frameworks. Drives service improvement by assessing strengths and areas for growth in accordance with the Quality Improvement Plan. Supports practice through utilising formal and informal coaching and mentoring opportunities. Maintains effective professional networking to keep up to date with contemporary research and innovative practice. Together with service leadership, supports local community connections with the service. Promotes a learning culture by prioritising reflective practice and maintaining a continuous cycle of self-evaluation and improvement.

Experience Required

Demonstrated management and leadership experience in early childhood education and care, including leading the provision of high-quality educational programs and practice.
Comprehensive understanding of:
- Education and Care Services National Law and Regulations
- the National Quality Framework
- Child Safe Standards
- the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework.

Specific Skills/Qualifications Required

Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care or higher (Bachelor of Education/Teaching (Early Childhood) will be highly regarded).
Valid 'Employee' Working with Children Check (or full VIT registration).
Willingness to consent to a National Police Check (to be arranged by Early Learning Victoria).
International Police Check required if resided outside of Australia for 12 months or more during the last 10 years.
First Aid, CPR, anaphylaxis and asthma qualifications.
Protecting Children – Mandatory Reporting online learning.
National Child Safety Training.

Key Selection Criteria

Criteria	Detail
Criteria 1	Child Safety and Compliance – please see the Role Requirements section above for more detail.
Criteria 2	Personal Attributes – please see the Capabilities section above for more detail.
Criteria 3	High Quality Practice – please see the Capabilities section above for more detail.
Criteria 4	Leadership and Mentoring – please see the Capabilities section above for more detail.

Allocation of Duties

The incumbent can expect to be allocated duties, not specifically mentioned in this document, but within the capacity, qualifications and experience normally expected from persons occupying positions at this level. The incumbent will be based at a primary location of work and may be expected to travel where required.

Organisational Values, Governance, Safety and Risk Management

The incumbent shall carry out duties in accordance with legislation and governance requirements, policies and procedures, safety principles, staff code of conduct, and Victorian Public Sector Values.

Early childhood

Updated 23 September 2026