Early Years & Childcare Business Officer

This is an exciting opportunity to make a real difference to children, families and childcare providers across Gloucestershire. Working as part of a supportive and forward-thinking team, you will help shape a sufficient, sustainable and high-quality childcare market that meets local needs. You will work directly with childcare providers across the maintained, private, independent and voluntary sectors, offering business support, advice and challenge to help them develop, grow and respond to changing national and local priorities. This includes supporting delivery of the Government's childcare expansion and wraparound childcare programmes. Using market intelligence and strong partnership working skills, you will contribute to Gloucestershire's Childcare Sufficiency and Commissioning Strategies, helping ensure families can access the childcare they need while supporting providers to build resilient and sustainable businesses.

We are looking for someone with a strong understanding of the early years and childcare sector and experience of supporting or managing childcare provision. You will bring experience of business planning, partnership working and analysing information to identify opportunities for improvement and growth. You will be confident in building positive relationships, influencing others and providing practical support that makes a difference. Most importantly, you will share our commitment to improving outcomes for children and families and promoting inclusive provision for all children, including those with SEND.

For all your hard work, you will receive the following:

• Flexible and agile working opportunities
• 25.5 days annual leave rising to 30.5 days after 5 years continuous service
• An option to purchase 10 days of additional leave per year (pro rata for part-time staff)
• Family friendly employer offering benefits to help support you and your family
• Career development and qualification opportunities
• Supportive and positive working environment with regular, robust supervision
• Access to our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) that provides free, confidential, counselling and advice for employees, available 24 hours a day, online and by telephone.
• An in-house Occupational Health service
• Employee discount scheme
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Gloucestershire Salary Sacrifice Green Car Scheme (T&Cs apply)
• Links to employee networks such as Prism (LGBT+) network and the Young Employees Network

If you have the skills, experience and enthusiasm to help shape the future of childcare in Gloucestershire, we would love to hear from you. This role requires travel across Gloucestershire. A full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle for business use are essential. For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Anita McKelvey via email at anita.mckelvey@gloucestershire.gov.uk.

Closing Date: 10 August 2026 Short-listed candidates will be contacted by email and invited to interview on 20th August 2026.

Gloucestershire County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people or vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We want to be an employer of choice, attracting and retaining excellent people to work for us, so that we can best serve all of Gloucestershire's diverse communities. Our promise to you is that we will provide an inclusive and supportive working environment that enables you to bring your whole self to work and realise your full potential.