Business Support Manager Early Years
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Location: Leicester, with regular travel across UK nursery settings
Salary: £40,000 per annum
Hours: Full-time
We are recruiting an experienced early years professional to help strengthen the commercial and operational performance of a multi-site nursery organisation.
This is an excellent opportunity for a Nursery Manager, Area Manager or similar early years leader who understands how occupancy, staffing, financial control and effective operational systems combine to create sustainable, high-quality nursery provision.
Reporting to an Executive Director, you will work alongside regional leaders, Nursery Managers and Deputies. You will analyse performance, identify areas for improvement and provide practical, hands-on support to settings experiencing growth, change or operational challenges.
The role
Business performance and commercial support
Improve occupancy, place utilisation, enquiry conversion and financial performance
Monitor KPIs including attendance, staffing deployment, agency and overtime use, debt and operational expenditure
Help nursery leaders interpret performance information and turn it into practical action plans
Support settings where there are concerns around occupancy, staffing costs, business processes or financial sustainability
Develop and monitor recovery plans, improvement plans and setting-level business actions
Identify opportunities to increase income, reduce avoidable costs and improve value for money without compromising care or education
Operational improvement
Strengthen operational consistency across multiple nursery settings
Review local practices and identify opportunities to improve efficiency and compliance
Support effective processes covering staffing records, registers, fee administration, funding and reporting
Provide hands-on support during periods of growth, mobilisation, leadership transition or operational instability
Help implement new systems, working practices and organisation-wide initiatives
Develop practical tools and reporting mechanisms that improve performance visibility and accountability
Financial control and resource efficiency
Help managers understand occupancy, funded and private income, staffing costs, consumables and controllable expenditure
Improve rota planning, staff deployment and ratio efficiency
Monitor agency use, overtime and workforce utilisation
Support accurate funding claims, invoicing and income collection
Contribute to budget monitoring, variance reviews and forecasting
Help nursery leaders balance financial sustainability with safe, high-quality provision
Compliance and assurance
Support settings in meeting statutory, regulatory and organisational requirements
Monitor operational controls, records and reporting
Support preparation for inspections, audits and internal quality reviews
Track actions arising from inspections, complaints, incidents or audits
Identify and escalate emerging operational, financial or compliance risks
Promote accountability and continuous improvement across the organisation
Leadership and stakeholder support
Coach Nursery Managers and Deputies in business management, staffing, planning and performance monitoring
Provide constructive challenge alongside practical support
Help managers establish effective routines around objectives, action planning and accountability
Work collaboratively with finance, people, quality, safeguarding, curriculum and estates teams
Prepare performance reports, insight and recommendations for senior leaders
Support wider organisational projects and service-development initiatives
Facilitate briefings, workshops and one-to-one support where required
About you
To be considered, you should have:
A strong early years background, ideally as a Nursery Manager, Area Manager or similar
A thorough understanding of the EYFS, safeguarding and regulatory requirements
Commercial experience covering budgets, occupancy, staffing and nursery performance
Knowledge of early years funding, including funded entitlement hours, Early Years Pupil Premium and Disability Access Fund
Experience analysing operational and financial data
The ability to identify risks, trends and opportunities and develop practical solutions
Experience supporting multiple settings or influencing leadership teams
Strong organisational skills and attention to detail
Confidence communicating complex information clearly to different audiences
The ability to manage competing priorities and make sound decisions in challenging situations
A professional, resilient and solutions-focused approach
A full UK driving licence and willingness to travel regularly
The successful candidate will combine commercial awareness and analytical ability with a genuine understanding of early years operations. You must be comfortable moving between strategic analysis and practical setting-level support.
This role is subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory employment references.
For further information or to apply, please submit your CV. All applications and initial conversations will be treated in complete confidence. xrnqpay
ODIN Recruitment Group is acting as a recruitment agency in relation to this vacancy.
Business Support Manager - Nursery Group in Leicester employer: Confidential
As a leading employer in the data centre operations sector, we offer an exceptional work environment that prioritises employee growth and development. Our collaborative culture fosters innovation and accountability, while our commitment to safety and operational excellence ensures that you will be part of a team that values your contributions. With opportunities for international travel and the chance to lead critical operations across the EMEA region, this role provides a unique platform for impactful leadership and career advancement.
