Regional Manager

Role Purpose

The Regional Manager is responsible for providing strong operational leadership, strategic direction, and support to a portfolio of early years childcare services. The role ensures high standards of quality, compliance, child safeguarding, employee engagement, and business performance across the region.

The Regional Manager will lead and develop Centre Managers, build strong relationships with families and teams, and drive continuous improvement in line with the company’s values, policies, regulatory requirements, and the Aistear Early Childhood Curriculum Framework.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Leadership & Performance

• Provide leadership, guidance, and support to Centre Managers across the region.
• Oversee the effective operation of multiple childcare services, ensuring consistent standards and best practice.
• Monitor service performance against key operational, quality, and business objectives.
• Identify opportunities for improvement and implement action plans where required.
• Support Centre Managers in achieving occupancy, retention, staffing, and financial targets.
• Ensure services operate efficiently while maintaining a child-centred approach.

Quality, Compliance & Safeguarding

• Ensure all services maintain compliance with relevant Irish early years regulations, including:
  • Tusla requirements
  • Health and Safety legislation
  • Company policies and procedures
  • Child safeguarding standards
• Promote a culture of continuous quality improvement.
• Conduct regular service visits, audits, and quality reviews.
• Support managers in preparing for inspections and implementing recommendations.
• Ensure safeguarding concerns are managed appropriately and escalated in line with procedures.

People Leadership & Development

• Lead, coach, and develop Centre Managers to achieve high performance.
• Build a culture of accountability, collaboration, and engagement.
• Support recruitment, onboarding, retention, and succession planning.
• Identify training and development needs across the region.
• Promote strong employee relations and support managers with HR processes.
• Recognise and develop emerging leaders within services.

Family & Community Engagement

• Promote strong relationships with children, families, and local communities.
• Support managers in delivering excellent customer service and family experiences.
• Manage escalated parent queries or concerns professionally.
• Protect and enhance the company’s reputation within the community.

Financial & Business Management

• Work with senior leadership to achieve regional business objectives.
• Monitor budgets, staffing costs, occupancy, and resource allocation.
• Identify commercial opportunities while maintaining quality standards.
• Support effective workforce planning across services.

Strategic Development

• Contribute to company growth plans and operational strategy.
• Support the opening of new services, transitions, and expansion projects.
• Lead regional initiatives and change programmes.
• Share insights and recommendations with senior leadership.

Skills & Experience Required

Essential:

• Minimum 5 years’ experience in an early years childcare leadership role.
• Experience managing multiple childcare services or a large childcare setting.
• Strong knowledge of Irish early years regulations and compliance requirements.
• Proven experience leading and developing teams.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• Strong organisational and problem-solving ability.
• Ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Desirable:

• Early Years qualification (minimum Level 6 or equivalent).
• Experience in a regional, area manager, or operations leadership role.
• Experience supporting service growth and change.
• Experience with quality improvement frameworks.

Key Competencies

• Strategic thinker with strong operational focus
• Inspirational leader and people developer
• High standards of professionalism and integrity
• Strong decision-making skills
• Commercial awareness
• Child-centred approach

• Excellent communication skills