Operations & Development Manager
Lead people. Grow the business. Shape the future of childcare.
Do you thrive on leading people, developing teams, and making things happen?
We're looking for experienced Operations & Development Manager’s to oversee a portfolio of Clubland's breakfast clubs, afterschool clubs and holiday clubs across Surrey. This is a varied leadership role where no two days are the same. One day you could be coaching a new Playscheme Manager, the next supporting an Ofsted audit, meeting with a school about a new partnership, or launching an exciting new setting.
At Clubland, we're a small, family-run childcare provider with ambitious plans for growth. Our Operations & Development Manager’s play a vital role in delivering exceptional childcare today whilst helping shape where we go tomorrow.
The Role
As Operations & Development Manager, you'll lead a portfolio of settings, ensuring they deliver exceptional childcare, operate efficiently and continue to grow.
Lead exceptional teams
- Coach, support and develop Playscheme Managers to become confident leaders.
- Lead recruitment, induction, performance management and staff development across your region.
- Build positive, high-performing teams with excellent staff retention.
- Support succession planning and identify future leaders.
Deliver outstanding childcare
- Ensure every setting provides safe, engaging and high-quality childcare.
- Support managers to deliver inspiring play opportunities, outstanding customer service and excellent experiences for children.
- Maintain consistently high safeguarding, welfare and operational standards.
- Drive continuous improvement across all settings.
Ensure compliance
- Lead quality assurance through regular setting visits and audits.
- Support managers to achieve and maintain strong Ofsted outcomes.
- Monitor safeguarding, health & safety, risk assessments and regulatory compliance.
- Ensure policies and procedures are consistently implemented.
Grow the business
You'll play a key role in Clubland's continued expansion by:
- Building strong relationships with schools, local authorities and community partners.
- Identifying opportunities to grow existing services.
- Supporting the preparation of tenders and proposals for new contracts.
- Leading the mobilisation and successful opening of new breakfast clubs, afterschool clubs and holiday clubs.
- Supporting new managers through the launch of new settings to ensure they become successful, sustainable provisions.
Drive operational excellence
- Support managers with staffing, rotas, budgets and day-to-day operations.
- Monitor expenditure and ensure resources are used effectively.
- Oversee stock management and facilities across your region.
- Work collaboratively with the wider Senior Management Team to continually improve systems and processes.
Build lasting relationships
- Develop excellent relationships with schools, parents and external partners.
- Represent Clubland at networking events and partnership meetings.
- Support marketing initiatives and community engagement activities.
- Be an ambassador for Clubland's values and reputation.
About You
We're looking for someone who is:
- A confident, approachable leader who enjoys developing people.
- Passionate about delivering outstanding childcare.
- Highly organised with excellent planning and problem-solving skills.
- Commercially aware and excited by helping a growing business expand.
- Comfortable balancing operational management with strategic thinking.
- Calm under pressure and able to make sound decisions.
- An excellent communicator who builds trust quickly.
Essential Experience:
- Significant experience managing childcare settings.
- Experience leading and developing managers or senior staff.
- Excellent knowledge of safeguarding, EYFS and Ofsted requirements.
- Experience managing multiple priorities across different locations.
- Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel across Surrey.
Desirable (but not essential):
- Level 3 Childcare or Playwork qualification (or above).
- Paediatric First Aid.
- Safeguarding qualifications.
- Experience opening new childcare settings.
- Experience writing or contributing to tenders.
- Experience managing budgets.
- Project management experience.
The Practical Bits
- Location: Hersham Head Office with regular travel across Surrey
- Hours: Full-time (40 hours per week)
- Contract: Permanent
- Salary: £38,000-£45,000 per annum (depending on experience)
