Business Support Manager - Nursery Group in Loughborough

Business Support Manager
Early Years 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. ODIN Recruitment Group is acting as a recruitment agency in relation to this vacancy.
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