Lead a purpose-built, architect-designed long daycare centre in regional NSW
Total remuneration package circa $145,000
Relocation support + $100/week subsidised housing (3-bedroom home)
A rare leadership role with huge potential for personal and professional growth
Empower a diverse team through empathy, vision, and collaboration
About Cobar Shire Council
Cobar Shire Council, located in outback NSW, is proud to deliver essential services to its thriving regional community. From libraries and aged care to youth initiatives and children's services, our team is dedicated to meaningful work that supports Cobar's future.
Our newly built, architecturally designed Early Learning Centre (opened October ****) is a standout investment in early education for the region. With capacity for up to 80 children, the centre was designed to exceed best practice and is currently the only long day care facility in Cobar.
We are values-driven - Accountability, Communication, Effective Leadership, Integrity, and Teamwork (ACE IT) guides everything we do. But more than that, we're human. We care about our people, our families, and building a strong, inclusive culture that reflects our community.
For more information, please visit our website:
About the Opportunity
Cobar Shire Council is looking for a full-time
Early Learning Centre Coordinator / Manager
based in
Cobar, NSW
.
This is more than a management role, it's a chance to nurture a young, multicultural team; preserve the legacy of a compassionate predecessor; and steer a growing service into its next phase of excellence.
More specifically, your responsibilities include but are not limited to:
Overseeing
day-to-day operations
of our long day care service
Acting as
Nominated Supervisor
and, when required,
Educational Leader
Mentoring and uplifting our passionate, culturally diverse workforce through change
Ensuring compliance with the
National Quality Framework
and continuously improving the
Quality Improvement Plan
Managing budgets, compliance, utilisation, and quality assurance
Building authentic, positive relationships with children, families, staff, and the wider community
Supporting the future potential expansion of the service
To read the full position description, please click here.
About You
You are a
qualified early childhood professional
who combines experience with empathy and vision. You bring both the regulatory know-how to maintain compliance and the interpersonal skills to guide others with compassion and confidence.
To succeed in this role, you'll need:
A
Bachelor's Degree (or Postgraduate qualification)
in
Early Childhood Teaching (ECT)
, or equivalent ACECQA-approved qualification. Candidates who are at least 50% through an approved ECT qualification, with strong leadership experience, will also be considered.
Proven experience managing or coordinating an early childhood education service.
The ability to lead with compassion, mentor educators, and bring your team along the journey.
A collaborative leadership style that balances compliance with care and consistency.
Cultural sensitivity and the ability to build cohesion within a multicultural team.
Genuine alignment and commitment to the Centre's child-centred, play-based philosophy.
Excellent communication, organisational, and problem-solving skills.
Essential certifications and requirements:
Current
First Aid Certificate
(including asthma and anaphylaxis)
Child Protection Training
NSW Working With Children Check
(or eligibility to obtain)
Driver's licence
(strongly preferred, due to local conditions)
As our ideal candidate, is a steady, empathetic leader who brings calm and reassurance to times of change. You are not authoritarian, you lead with respect, and understand the importance of bringing a team on the journey. You are emotionally intelligent and patient, especially with young educators who are still growing in their roles. You know how to uplift without overwhelming, while upholding the expected standards. You are culturally aware and committed to inclusivity, with the confidence and humility to unify a diverse team of workers. Above all, you are authentic, collaborative, and aligned with the Centre's child-first philosophy.
About the Benefits
This role offers a
total remuneration package up to $145,000
, including a base salary up to
$114,000
and access to heavily subsidised housing. For many candidates this would result in a significantly higher take-home pay than comparable metro roles.
Here's what makes this opportunity genuinely different: it includes the option of a
three-bedroom home for just $100 a week (pre tax)
. That single benefit dramatically changes your financial position and is rarely offered in this sector.
For context, if you're currently paying $500 a week in rent, you'd need to earn close to $150,000 (cash) elsewhere to take home the same amount you would here. And if your rent sits closer to $750 a week, which is common in areas like Parramatta or Sutherland, your annual wage would need to be $170,000 just to break even.
Put simply: while the base salary alone is competitive, the
overall package here is far stronger
. Between affordable housing, lower everyday costs, and additional Council benefits, this opportunity delivers an
financial outcome comparable to a $150k metro role
, without the metro stress, costs of living, or a lengthy commute - you would literally live five minutes from our service
You'll enjoy:
Relocation allowance and subsidised housing
Nine-day fortnight (35 hours/week)
- equating to approximately five extra weeks of annual leave flexibility
Two-week Christmas closure
Extensive professional development opportunities
, supported by a current 18-month training grant
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
and
health and wellbeing initiatives
Three weeks' sick leave
per year and
long service leave after five years
Paid parental leave
(Council + Government-funded)
Active staff social club
with inclusive community events
Access to Council's gym and seasonal pool pass
Health & Wellbeing Days
(Council-wide closure)
Salary packaging options
, including novated leasing and remote housing/utilities
Strong governance, human resources, finance, and compliance support structures
The
potential to expand the role scope
in future to include additional services under the children's services portfolio
To learn more about the advantages of working for Cobar Shire Council, visit Why Work for Council?
If you're a collaborative, experienced early childhood leader who believes in guiding through empathy, fostering growth, and making a lasting difference in a regional community - we'd love to hear from you.
Apply now
and help us shape the future of early education in Cobar.
Cobar Shire Council welcomes applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, workers of all ages, people with disabilities and those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
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