At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and optimise operations across multiple childcare centres for excellence in service delivery.
 - Company: A growing early education provider focused on high-quality care and learning experiences.
 - Benefits: Leadership role with the freedom to innovate and make a real impact.
 - Why this job: Shape the future of early education and enhance family satisfaction through operational excellence.
 - Qualifications: Strong leadership skills and experience in managing teams and operations.
 - Other info: Join a values-driven organisation committed to making a difference in children's lives.
 
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Service Operations Manager – Lead Excellence in Early Education
You’re the type of leader who spots what others miss — the small inefficiencies that cause big headaches. You bring clarity where there’s confusion, and structure where there’s drift.
We’re a growing early education provider delivering high-quality care and learning experiences for children and families. We’re looking for a Service Operations Manager who can drive consistency, compliance, and excellence across multiple childcare centres.
If you believe great service isn’t accidental — it’s engineered — keep reading.
This is not a desk job. It’s a leadership role where your fingerprints are on every part of the operation — from how a centre opens in the morning to how parents feel when they pick up their children at the end of the day.
You’ll lead Centre Managers, align them with the bigger picture, and make sure every site runs efficiently, safely, and profitably. You’ll bring focus to the fundamentals: service quality, staff engagement, compliance, occupancy, and family satisfaction.
You’ll work side-by-side with leadership to ensure every process, policy, and performance metric supports one goal — operational excellence that families can feel.
Here’s what success looks like in your first 12 months:
- Occupancy: Centres consistently operating at or above 90% capacity through effective service delivery and community engagement.
 - Compliance: Flawless audit results, strong governance, and zero regulatory surprises.
 - Financial Performance: Each centre meeting or exceeding budget, with sound cost control and smart resource allocation.
 - Staff Retention: High engagement and low turnover through clear expectations, ongoing coaching, and recognition of performance.
 - Customer Experience: Measurable improvement in family satisfaction scores and retention rates.
 
You’ll have the freedom to lead and the responsibility to deliver. You’ll coach, develop, and hold teams accountable — not through fear, but through clarity, consistency, and care.
You’ll be part of a values-driven organization that believes operational excellence isn’t just about numbers — it’s about impact. Families feel it. Children benefit from it. Staff thrive because of it.
If you’re ready to own your results, lead with purpose, and raise the bar for operational performance across multiple childcare services — this is your next move.
Apply now and show us how you lead teams to deliver exceptional service, every single day.
Service Operations Manager employer: Linq Recruitment Specialists
Contact Detail:
Linq Recruitment Specialists Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Service Operations Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the early education sector and let them know you're on the lookout for a Service Operations Manager role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on an opportunity that’s not even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by researching the company and its values. Understand their approach to operational excellence and think about how your experience aligns with their goals. We want you to shine when you talk about how you can drive consistency and compliance!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership style! During interviews, share specific examples of how you've led teams to improve service quality and staff engagement. We love hearing about real-life situations where you've made a difference — it helps us see your potential impact.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we’re always looking for passionate leaders who can help us raise the bar in early education.
We think you need these skills to ace Service Operations Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Leadership Style: When writing your application, let us see your unique leadership style shine through. Share examples of how you've tackled inefficiencies and brought clarity to your teams. We want to know how you inspire others to achieve operational excellence!
Be Specific About Your Achievements: Don’t just tell us you’ve improved service quality; show us the numbers! Include specific metrics or outcomes from your previous roles that demonstrate your impact on occupancy rates, compliance, or customer satisfaction. We love a good success story!
Align with Our Values: Make sure your application reflects our values-driven approach. Talk about how you prioritise staff engagement and family satisfaction in your work. We’re looking for someone who shares our belief that great service is engineered, not accidental.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss any important updates. Plus, it shows us you’re keen to be part of our growing team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Linq Recruitment Specialists
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Service Operations Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your understanding of key performance metrics. Brush up on occupancy rates, compliance standards, and financial performance indicators. Be ready to discuss how you've improved these metrics in previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
This role is all about leading teams effectively. Prepare examples that highlight your leadership approach, especially how you engage and motivate staff. Think about times when you've turned around a struggling team or improved staff retention through clear communication and support.
✨Understand the Bigger Picture
Make sure you can articulate how your role as a Service Operations Manager fits into the overall mission of the organisation. Research the company’s values and be prepared to discuss how you can align your operational strategies with their goals for excellence in early education.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect to face scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills. Think about potential challenges in childcare operations, such as compliance issues or low family satisfaction scores, and prepare your strategies for addressing these situations effectively.