Operations & Development Manager

Operations & Development Manager
Lead people. Grow the business. Shape the future of childcare.

Do you thrive on leading people, developing teams, and making things happen?

We're looking for experienced Operations & Development Manager’s to oversee a portfolio of Clubland's breakfast clubs, after school clubs and holiday clubs across Surrey. This is a varied leadership role where no two days are the same. One day you could be coaching a new Play scheme Manager, the next supporting an Ofsted audit, meeting with a school about a new partnership, or launching an exciting new setting.

At Clubland, we're a small, family-run childcare provider with ambitious plans for growth. Our Operations & Development Manager’s play a vital role in delivering exceptional childcare today whilst helping shape where we go tomorrow.

As Operations & Development Manager, you'll lead a portfolio of settings, ensuring they deliver exceptional childcare, operate efficiently and continue to grow.

• Coach, support and develop Play scheme Managers to become confident leaders.
• Lead recruitment, induction, performance management and staff development across your region.
• Build positive, high-performing teams with excellent staff retention.
• Support succession planning and identify future leaders.

• Ensure every setting provides safe, engaging and high-quality childcare.
• Support managers to deliver inspiring play opportunities, outstanding customer service and excellent experiences for children.
• Maintain consistently high safeguarding, welfare and operational standards.
• Drive continuous improvement across all settings.

• Lead quality assurance through regular setting visits and audits.
• Support managers to achieve and maintain strong Ofsted outcomes.
• Monitor safeguarding, health & safety, risk assessments and regulatory compliance.
• Ensure policies and procedures are consistently implemented.

You’ll play a key role in Clubland's continued expansion by:

• Building strong relationships with schools, local authorities and community partners.
• Identifying opportunities to grow existing services.
• Supporting the preparation of tenders and proposals for new contracts.
• Leading the mobilisation and successful opening of new breakfast clubs, after school clubs and holiday clubs.
• Supporting new managers through the launch of new settings to ensure they become successful, sustainable provisions.

• Support managers with staffing, rotas, budgets and day-to-day operations.
• Monitor expenditure and ensure resources are used effectively.
• Oversee stock management and facilities across your region.
• Work collaboratively with the wider Senior Management Team to continually improve systems and processes.

• Develop excellent relationships with schools, parents and external partners.
• Represent Clubland at networking events and partnership meetings.
• Support marketing initiatives and community engagement activities.
• Be an ambassador for Clubland's values and reputation.

We're looking for someone who is:

• A confident, approachable leader who enjoys developing people.
• Passionate about delivering outstanding childcare.
• Highly organised with excellent planning and problem-solving skills.
• Commercially aware and excited by helping a growing business expand.
• Comfortable balancing operational management with strategic thinking.
• Calm under pressure and able to make sound decisions.
• An excellent communicator who builds trust quickly.

• Significant experience managing childcare settings.
• Experience leading and developing managers or senior staff.
• Excellent knowledge of safeguarding, EYFS and Ofsted requirements.
• Experience managing multiple…