Job Description

Job Title: Quality & Operations Manager

Reports to:

Managing Director

Direct Reports:

Nursery Managers (across all sites)

This role is for The Meadows Nursery Group which operates nurseries in the North West including Liverpool, Oldham and Leeds so travel is required between these areas.

Purpose of the Role

As Quality & Operations Manager, you will drive strategic leadership across our nursery portfolio--championing excellence in early years education, safeguarding, compliance, and commercial performance. Partnering closely with the Managing Director and nursery teams, you will translate our vision into measurable, sustainable quality and operational success.

Key Responsibilities

Quality Leadership & Early Years Excellence

Own and lead our quality strategy across all nurseries, ensuring consistently high standards and

Outstanding

practice. Serve as the

lead champion of our EYFS curriculum

, fostering consistency, innovation, and pedagogical excellence. Conduct regular in-depth quality assurance visits and audits--leading entry to action planning, coaching, and outcomes tracking. Perform the role of

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)

for the group, supporting nursery DSLs to embed best-in-class safeguarding. Cultivate continuous professional development journeys that elevate early years provision across all settings.

Strategic Leadership & Vision Deployment

Collaborate with the MD to shape and deliver the group's long-term vision, values, and strategic quality goals. Lead cross-functional initiatives that drive continuous improvement in both educational and business performance. Spearhead service expansion and growth strategies in support of long-term sustainability.

Operational Oversight & Manager Development

Ensure consistent, efficient day?to?day operations across all nursery settings. Mentor and develop Nursery Managers--providing best practice guidance, training, and performance oversight. Partner with HR on staffing, retention, and recruitment strategies to underpin quality and compliance.

Compliance & Quality Assurance

Guarantee all settings meet or exceed Ofsted standards and statutory regulatory requirements. Lead preparations, mock inspections, and responses to external audits. Develop and continuously refine policies in line with legislative updates and sector best practice.

Financial & Commercial Responsibility

Support the MD by monitoring budgets, occupancy, fee collection, and profitability--always with a

quality-first mindset

. Identify opportunities for operational efficiency and innovation in service delivery. Oversee procurement and resource optimization with cost?effectiveness and quality in mind.

Stakeholder Engagement & Representation

Represent the nursery group with external partners, regulatory bodies, and professional networks. Foster trust-based relationships with families, staff, and community stakeholders. Prepare and present board-level quality reporting as required (e.g. board packs).

Person Specification

Qualifications

Level 3 (or above) in Early Years Education as per DfE standards.

Experience

Demonstrable leadership in early years settings or nursery groups. Experience managing multi-site operations or large complex settings. Proven success in improving Ofsted outcomes and enhancing pedagogical standards. Senior-level people management responsibilities.

Skills & Attributes

Inspirational leader with strong coaching and team-development capability. Excellent communicator and relationship-builder. Analytical, strategic problem-solver with sharp attention to detail. Professional integrity paired with emotional intelligence. Resilient and adaptable in a dynamic, fast?paced environment.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Ofsted ratings

and quality audit outcomes across settings Growth in

occupancy and revenue

Staff retention

and engagement metrics

Compliance audit results

and policy adherence

Parental satisfaction scores

Due to the travel involved in this role, a full and clean Driving License is required and a car allowance is offered.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: 46,000.00-56,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Childcare Company events Company pension Employee discount Work from home
Work Location: In person