Training and Operations Manager

The Lodge is looking for an exceptional and experienced Training and Operations Manager to help us shape the future of our Nursery and the people within it.

Do you have what it takes to lead Bromley's most thoughtful Nursery forward?

Our Nursery is family run, and we are proud to offer spaces for children and staff that emulate calm and inspiring environments. The Lodge is a unique setting where our staff or at the heart of everything we do. As we grow, we need someone who understands that culture deeply and can help us protect it as we expand.

We are looking for a full-time member of staff to join us as our Training and Operations Manager.

This is a pivotal, senior role for The Lodge. As the Responsible Person for the Nursery, you will oversee the day-to-day management and operation of the setting, working closely with our Owner/Director and Senior Leadership Team to drive the Nursery forward and achieve exceptional standards. You will lead on quality improvement, staff development, operational excellence and regulatory compliance, including Ofsted inspections and professional visits, while mentoring and developing our Assistant Manager and Senior Leadership Team.

This role combines operational excellence, leadership development and strategic planning, bridging daily operations with our long-term expansion goals. You will line manage the Assistant Manager, Deputy Manager, Business Administrations Manager and Pedagogical Lead. You'll be a supportive guide for our senior leaders, a trusted partner to our Owner/Director, and the person who helps us grow without ever losing sight of what makes The Lodge special.

We are looking for someone with:

· Significant experience in early years management, comfortable overseeing several projects at once.

· Strong knowledge of the EYFS and safeguarding requirements.

· Experience of staff supervision, performance management and disciplinary processes.

· A track record of implementing and delivering high quality training programmes for Early Years practitioners.

· Excellent organisational, communication and leadership skills.

· A strong understanding of compliance and regulatory requirements.

· A genuine drive to keep pushing the nursery forward and asking "what next?"

· Experience of Ofsted inspections and quality assurance processes.

· Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) experience.

And who is:

· Highly organised and detail focused, with a genuine love of structure and process.

· Calm, professional and solution-orientated, even when things get busy.

· A confident decision maker who isn't afraid to take ownership.

· An approachable leader who people want to come to, not avoid.

· Personable, with the ability to communicate with a wide range of people in many different situations.

· Committed to continuous improvement and to maintaining our high standards.

· Skilled at delegation, knowing when to step in and when to step back.

· Intuitive with people, able to read a room and know how best to approach it.

· Deeply attuned to the feeling and ethos of The Lodge, with ideas on how to amplify it.

· Someone who enjoys a laugh but knows exactly when to be serious.

· Compassionate, driven and genuinely invested in the success of others.

· Able to spot the gaps, see where things are going wrong, and find new ways of working to fix them.

· Able to motivate, inspire and develop the people around them.

· A creative thinker, comfortable looking outside the box for solutions.

Key responsibilities will include:

· Leading on quality improvement, staff development and regulatory compliance, including Ofsted inspections.

· Mentoring and developing the Assistant Manager and Senior Leadership Team.

· Working alongside our Business Administration Manager to oversee financial processes, occupancy targets and strategic planning.

· Leading recruitment, induction and workforce development across the nursery.

· Overseeing supervision schedules, performance management and disciplinary processes.

· Developing and implementing an internal training programme that reflects The Lodge's ethos, values and best practice.

· Supporting the Owner/Director in identifying new sites and planning the nursery's expansion.

· Acting as Designated Safeguarding Lead, promoting a strong safeguarding culture throughout the nursery.

· Planning and organising events that support community engagement and business development.

Remuneration and benefits

· Full-time role, Monday to Friday

· Salary commensurate with experience - starting salary £48,500.00

· Company paid summer party and Christmas parties (We do like to party and team build!)

· Food made available for lunch as well as snacks provided for staff

· Employee of the Month (£50)

· Huge Holiday Incentive – After 1 year's service, gain 1 day's paid holiday every year (Maximum of 5 days / 5 years)

· Additional day off for your birthday

· Staff wear own clothes – no uniform

If this sounds like you, we’d love to hear from you. Email your CV to natasha@thelodgechildcare.com

Pay: From £48,500.00 per year

Work Location: In person