Job Description

The Treehouse Club is a pioneering group of nature-based nurseries, preschools, out of school and holiday clubs offering outstanding early years education and care for children aged 8 weeks to 11 years. Our ethos is rooted in the belief that every child deserves the freedom to learn through nature, nurture, and play -- fostering curiosity, resilience, and emotional wellbeing.

We combine

forest school principles

,

mindfulness

, and

holistic learning

with strong community values, creating a home-from-home environment where children and educators thrive.

As we continue to expand across the region, we are seeking a passionate, strategic, and highly organised

Group Operations Manager

to join our leadership team and drive excellence across all Treehouse Club settings.

The Role

The

Group Operations Manager

will be responsible for ensuring that every Treehouse Club nursery delivers outstanding quality, compliance, and operational performance, through strategic planning, ensuring regulatory compliance. You will support and mentor the nursery managers to drive quality and profitability across the group strongly upholding our nature-based ethos, and play a key role in the next phase of our growth -- including new openings, acquisitions, and community partnerships.

This is both a strategic and hands-on leadership role for someone who thrives on variety, values purpose-driven work, and is motivated by improving children's outcomes through exceptional early years practice.

Working 5 days a week 42 hours Salary offered 45/ 55k salary includes car allowance.

Free daily lunch cooked by our onsite chef Free parking Dedication bonus scheme including extra holiday Extra birthday day off on us! Pension Scheme Well-being package including a video library of wellbeing tools Staff events including awards, family BBQ's and much more! Opportunities to experience Forest School (and create some S'mores!) A company commitment to your succession with bespoke succession planning and tailored CPD!

Key Responsibilities

Operational Leadership

Lead, support, and mentor Nursery Managers to ensure smooth day-to-day operations across all sites. Drive excellence and consistency across the group through clear systems, accountability, and strong leadership. Monitor and report on KPIs including occupancy, staffing, compliance, and quality standards. Lead on recruitment. Implement and refine operational processes that reflect the ethos of outdoor learning and positive mental health. Ensure each setting maintains a warm, nurturing, and eco-conscious learning environment.

Quality, Compliance & Safeguarding

Ensure full compliance with Ofsted, EYFS, Health & Safety, and Safeguarding standards. Support settings to maintain "Good" and achieve "Outstanding" inspection outcomes. Conduct regular quality audits, risk assessments, and action plans. Champion best practice in SEND, inclusion, and environmental sustainability.

People & Culture

Build and maintain a high-performing, motivated team across all settings. Lead on recruitment, onboarding, and professional development pathways for managers and practitioners. Foster a positive, open, and emotionally intelligent culture that reflects Treehouse values. Lead regular management meetings and leadership training focused on wellbeing, resilience, and professional growth.

Strategic Growth & Development

Work with the Senior Leadership Team to propose and deliver the group's growth strategy, including new site openings and acquisitions. Identify opportunities for innovation, partnerships, and improved efficiency. Support community engagement and partnership development with schools, councils, and local organisations. Ensure all new settings reflect the Treehouse Club's ethos, design standards, and educational philosophy.

Financial & Business Oversight

Monitor budgets, cost control, and financial performance across the group. Identify opportunities for cost efficiencies without compromising quality. Support managers with financial planning, fee reviews, and occupancy growth strategies.

Parent & Community Engagement

Ensure consistent, high-quality communication with parents and carers. Champion family engagement initiatives, open days, and community events. Promote the Treehouse Club brand and values across all settings and the wider community.

Person Specification

Essential

Minimum Level 3 in Early Years (Level 5+ preferred). Proven experience as an Operations, Area or Regional Manager within Early Years or Education. Deep understanding of EYFS, Ofsted, and safeguarding frameworks. Passion for nature-based and holistic early years education. Strong leadership, communication, and people management skills. Financial awareness and proven ability to manage multi-site budgets. Full driving licence and willingness to travel regularly across sites.

Desirable

Level 5 or above in Leadership & Management or Early Years Education. Forest School Leader qualification or experience in outdoor learning environments. Experience in setting up or scaling multi-site nursery groups. Background in business development, marketing, or community partnership.

Key Attributes

Inspirational leader who embodies calm, confidence, and compassion. Naturally aligned with the values of sustainability, inclusivity, and wellbeing. Strategic thinker with a hands-on, proactive approach. Strong sense of integrity, accountability, and emotional intelligence. Driven to create exceptional environments for both children and educators.
Safer recruitment

The Treehouse Forestry Nursery and Out of School Club applies safer recruitment policies to ensure that all of our staff are suitable to work with children and young people. We advise you in advance that two people will be involved in your recruitment process. Both people will partake in your interview and each person will individually review all applications and paperwork to ensure that you are suitable for the role.

Part of our safer recruitment procedure includes obtaining references for you. One of these references must be your latest employer. If you are unable to obtain a reference before the interview from your current employer then you must obtain references from the employer before that as well as one other reference.

References from former employers are preferable over any other referee. Please note that we will need to obtain a reference from your latest employer before completing our processes for you to commence working for us.

We are at liberty to advise you that if there are gaps in your employment history or any other information that gives us cause for concern, we will contact your former employers to obtain further information and satisfy any concerns that we have.

Eligibility to work within the UK

We will need to obtain evidence from you to confirm that you are eligible to work within the UK. We confirm that this information, as well as all personal information, will be held in our Staff Central Record.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: 45,000.00-55,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Employee discount Flexitime Health & wellbeing programme On-site parking Sick pay
Work Location: In person