Job Description

Role Overview:

Job Title: Area Director North Midlands
Reports to: Divisional Director
Based: Home with travel to centres in North Midlands area
Employment type: FTC for 6 months covering maternity leave
Salary: DOE

About the role

As an

Area Director

, you will lead the

strategic and operational management of multiple childcare centres

across your area.
You will be a champion of

safeguarding, quality, and performance

, ensuring every centre achieves excellence while supporting the development of staff and the wider team.
This is a

dynamic leadership role

, perfect for a

visionary, proactive, and experienced early years professional

who thrives in a multi-site environment.

About Busy Bees

-------------------

At Busy Bees, our vision is to give every child the best start in life. We are dedicated to delivering high-quality childcare and exciting learning opportunities that prepare every child for school.

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Our core values define who we are:

Care:

We take care seriously.

Quality:

We maintain the highest standards of safety and early years education.

Service:

We provide exceptional support to families and parents.

Value:

We value our people and provide outstanding value to our families.

Why Join Busy Bees?

-----------------------


This is a unique opportunity to make a

real difference in the lives of children

while leading and developing exceptional teams. At Busy Bees, your leadership will shape the future of early years education across multiple centres, helping every child get the

best possible start in life

.


Role Responsibilities:

Key Responsibilities

------------------------

Childcare & Education

Create and maintain a

strong safeguarding culture

across all centres. Serve as the

main point of contact

for centres in your area. Oversee the

implementation and effectiveness of educational programmes

, monitoring performance and outcomes. Ensure

full compliance with all regulatory standards

, policies, and procedures.

Compliance & Safety

Conduct

regular site visits

(at least every six weeks) to monitor safety, health, and operational standards. Prepare centres for inspections, audits, and regulatory visits. Lead responses to crises or emergencies, ensuring swift and effective resolution. Complete all mandatory training required for your role.

People & Leadership

Ensure timely payroll, recruitment, and

adherence to safer recruitment practices

. Attract, mentor, and

develop high-performing teams

across centres. Promote a

positive, fair, and respectful work environment

, supporting staff wellbeing and retention. Facilitate

training, coaching, and professional development

for all direct reports. Lead engagement initiatives, including surveys and action plans, to improve team performance.

Performance & Operations

Act as the

key liaison between centres and the National Support Centre

. Monitor performance metrics for centres and

drive operational improvements

. Oversee

marketing and community engagement

initiatives to enhance centre reputation. Manage financial performance, budgets, and

identify opportunities to improve value

. Set and uphold

high standards of customer service

, addressing issues promptly. Ensure smooth

implementation of new initiatives and policies

across all centres.

Required Qualifications:

The Ideal Candidate

-----------------------

Experience

Extensive

senior management experience

, in early years settings. Experience managing

multiple sites

or centres is essential.

Skills & Competencies

Leadership & Management:

Inspire, motivate, and guide teams to achieve excellence.

Commercial Acumen:

Maximise operational and financial performance.

Communication:

Clear, professional, and effective verbal and written communication.

Coaching & Mentoring:

Support teams to reach their full potential.

Change Management:

Lead teams confidently through change and challenges.

Personal Attributes

Visionary leader with a

passion for early years education

. Reliable, responsible, and with high integrity. Empathetic, supportive, and capable of building strong relationships. Adaptable, proactive, and committed to

continuous improvement

.

Other Requirements

Must pass a

criminal record check (enhanced DBS or equivalent)

. * Flexible working hours, including travel between centres and occasional early mornings/evenings.