Smiley Faces Educare · Wellington
Centres Manager – 2 centres in Upper Hutt
Early learningFull time, Permanent
The full-time, permanent Centres Manager will lead Smiley Faces Educare and Children First Early Childhood Centre in Upper Hutt, two licensed 49-place centres operating as one group from October. The role suits an experienced registered ECE teacher with at least five years’ New Zealand experience, covering teaching quality, teams, compliance, enrolments and budgets. Pay is K3 Full Pay Parity, $106,500, plus potential bonus, travel allowance, phone and laptop.
- Two licensed centres, 49 places each
- Upper Hutt locations 3.5km apart
- K3 Full Pay Parity: $106,500
- Requires five years’ New Zealand ECE experience
Closes in 20 days
Applications close 19 Oct 2026, 9pm.
Read the full listing and applyOpens the Education Gazette, where the school takes applications.
About the role
Permanent, full-time manager for two licensed early learning centres in Upper Hutt, each with 49 places and located 3.5km apart. You will lead teaching quality, curriculum, enrolments, finances, compliance and two teams, while aligning systems across both centres. The role is paid at K3 Full Pay Parity of $106,500, with a possible bonus, travel allowance, phone and laptop.
What they’re looking for
- Experienced early childhood education leader
- Registered teacher with five years’ New Zealand ECE experience
- Experience managing enrolments, staffing, budgets and centre performance
- Able to lead change while maintaining trust and centre culture
- Strong relationships with whānau, staff and external agencies
- Confident meeting licensing, regulatory and health and safety requirements
About the school
Smiley Faces Educare and Children First Early Childhood Centre are established centres with different identities, strengths and communities. They are forming a small group with shared ownership, aligned systems and a focus on outcomes for children, whānau and staff.
How to apply
Applications close on 19 October 2026.
Written by Teachroles from the school’s listing. AI can make mistakes; check the original before you apply.
The role
- Sector
- Early learning
- Role
- Centre manager
- Hours
- full time
- Tenure
- permanent
- Listed
- 29 Sept 2026
In the school’s words
“Lead 2 centres. Shape a group. Build excellence. Bright Start Early Learning Group brings together Smiley Faces Educare and Children First Early Childhood Centre, 2 well‑established centres just 3.5km apart in Upper Hutt, each with its own identity, strengths, and…”