Early Education and Childcare Funding and Data Team Leader

Is this you? Are you ready to take the lead in supporting early education and childcare providers from behind the scenes in a way that really makes a difference? Ready to bring your funding, finance and data expertise to support Tower Hamlets in meeting its statutory duties and ambitions for young children and families? If so, Tower Hamlets has an exciting opportunity for you.

Our dynamic and caring Early Education and Childcare Service is looking for an exceptional individual to lead our Funding and Data Team. This role is essential to helping our providers deliver sufficient, high quality, flexible and accessible early education and childcare for all families across the borough.

About the role: Join our Early Education and Childcare Service as the Funding and Data Team Leader and play a key role in shaping a service that puts providers, families and children first. We are seeking a motivated and thoughtful leader to guide our Funding and Data Team, ensuring the funding and data systems that underpin early education and childcare are robust, fair and supportive. While your role will carry responsibility for data, sufficiency, finance, funding and compliance, it is also about partnership, trust and working together across the service.

As our Funding and Data Team Leader, you will lead a small team of committed colleagues who work closely with early education and childcare providers every day. You will oversee the administration of early years funding and grants, manage budgets and payment systems and ensure data is accurate, timely and meaningful. Just as importantly, you will help turn complex national funding requirements into clear, practical guidance that providers can understand and feel confident using.

You will work in close partnership with colleagues across the Early Education and Childcare Service and internal and external stakeholders. We recognise that every role within the service is important and that strong collaboration is what enables us to do our best work.

Our clear priority is to support our Early Education and Childcare providers. You will play a central role in ensuring providers feel informed, listened to and supported, offering clear information, training and problem solving, alongside appropriate challenge, so they can focus on delivering high quality care and education for children.

What we are looking for: We are looking for a collaborative leader who understands that strong funding and data systems are there to support people, not create barriers. You will be someone who:

• Has proven experience working with early years funding, education or finance
• Brings strong financial and data analytical skills with careful attention to detail
• Understands the importance of accurate, timely funding for provider sustainability
• Enjoys working in partnership across teams and with providers
• Leads others in a supportive, nurturing and inclusive way

You will be confident working with complex information, but approachable and clear in how you communicate. You will value teamwork, shared problem solving and continuous improvement, and be motivated by making a positive difference through your work. Your role will involve not just leading systems and processes, but also helping create a culture where providers feel supported, colleagues feel valued and children benefit from strong, stable early education and childcare provision.

Why join us? By joining Tower Hamlets, you are becoming part of a community that values inclusion, collaboration and excellence. We are committed to promoting equality, eliminating discrimination and ensuring every child has the best possible start in life. Our vision for the borough is that people are aspirational, independent and have equal access to opportunity. We are proud of our diverse communities and want colleagues who live our TOWER values of Together, Open, Willing, Excellent and Respect in their everyday work.

If you are passionate about supporting Early Education and Childcare providers and want to play a key role in shaping a service that works in partnership and with care, we would love to hear from you!

Deadline for applications is the 7th May 2026. Interviews will be held over the 21st May and 22nd May 2026.

About Tower Hamlets: Tower Hamlets is a truly unique borough at the heart of London – a place where history and innovation sit side by side. From the docks and markets that shaped the East End to the global business hub of Canary Wharf, we are proud to be one of the most dynamic, diverse, and ambitious communities in the UK. We are also one of the fastest growing and youngest boroughs in the country, offering unrivalled opportunities to make a real difference to people’s lives. Our residents are energetic, creative, and resilient, and our council is committed to delivering the best possible services and opportunities for them.

Our award-winning new Town Hall in Whitechapel provides a modern, flexible workplace for our staff, right at the heart of the borough and directly opposite Whitechapel Tube and Elizabeth line station. It is more than just a workplace – it’s a hub for collaboration, innovation and community, designed to bring out the best in our people.

As an employer, we put equality, diversity, and inclusion at the heart of everything we do. Our active Employee Network Groups celebrate and champion our workforce, helping to ensure that everyone feels a sense of belonging. Guided by our TOWER values – Together, Open, Willing, Excellent and Respect – we are building a positive, inclusive culture where colleagues can thrive.

At Tower Hamlets Council, you’ll find exciting challenges, supportive colleagues, and the chance to shape one of London’s most important and vibrant places. If you’re looking for a role where you can see the impact of your work every day, then Tower Hamlets is the place for you.