At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive operational success and support nurseries in delivering high-quality childcare.
- Company: Join RAFAKidz, a mission-driven organisation supporting Armed Forces families.
- Benefits: Hybrid working, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with travel to various nursery settings across the UK.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in early years education while enhancing business performance.
- Qualifications: Experience in senior Early Years roles with strong business acumen required.
The predicted salary is between 38140 - 38140 £ per year.
RAFAKidz is on a mission to provide exceptional, affordable childcare tailored to the unique needs of Armed Forces and civilian families. With nurseries located on or near RAF and MOD stations across the UK, we are proud to be fully OFSTED-registered and committed to safeguarding, quality, and excellence. We work closely with children, families, and partner organisations to ensure every child has the opportunity to thrive. Our strong ties to the RAF and the RAF Association help us deliver a curriculum and environment that supports the needs of serving families.
This is a newly created role based within our growing RAFAKidz Head Office team based in Leicester. The Business Manager plays a key role in supporting the operational and commercial success of RAFAKidz nurseries. The postholder will help ensure RAFAKidz nurseries are operationally efficient, financially sustainable, compliant with statutory and organisational requirements, and well supported to deliver high-quality early years education and care. The role is designed to strengthen the business and operational performance of nurseries by working alongside Nursery Managers and Regional Operations Managers to improve the consistency and effectiveness of core business processes, performance monitoring, staffing deployment, financial discipline and local operational planning. It combines analytical oversight with practical, hands-on support, particularly where nurseries require focused improvement, additional operational capacity or support through periods of change.
Primary responsibilities include:
- Monitor and analyse agreed key performance indicators, including occupancy, enquiry conversion, attendance patterns, staffing deployment, agency and overtime use, debt, and other operational and commercial measures.
- Improve business performance where there are concerns relating to occupancy, staffing costs, local operating discipline, compliance with business processes, or overall financial sustainability.
- Contribute to the development, monitoring and review of setting-level recovery plans, improvement plans and business action plans where additional support is required.
- Identify opportunities to improve income, reduce avoidable inefficiency and strengthen value for money without compromising quality of care and education.
- Provide practical, hands-on support to nurseries during periods of change, instability, mobilisation, growth, leadership transition or recovery.
- Support nurseries to prepare effectively for inspections, audits and quality assurance reviews, ensuring that relevant evidence, systems and action plans are in place.
- Work with managers and Regional Operations Managers to coordinate and track follow-up actions arising from inspections, audits, complaints, incidents or internal reviews.
- Coach and support Nursery Managers and Deputies to strengthen their confidence and capability in business management, performance monitoring, staffing deployment, planning and operational problem-solving.
- Provide constructive challenge and practical support where managers need to improve business discipline, operational consistency or commercial awareness.
- Contribute to the preparation of reports, performance insight and recommendations for senior leaders, helping to inform decision-making and continuous improvement across the RAFAKidz group.
It is highly recommended that you read the full role profile and person specification which is available to download on our website rafakidz.org.uk
About you:
You will have a strong background in a senior Early Years role (Nursery/Area Manager or similar) with a strategic and commercial mindset to drive the business forward after a period of rapid growth. We need you to have up to date knowledge in multiple early years funding streams, business management, financial forecasting and sustainability planning. Overall, we need you to be able to demonstrate a high level of proficiency in the following areas:
- Business performance and commercial support
- Operational effectiveness and business process improvement
- Financial control and resource efficiency
- Compliance, assurance and inspection readiness
- Leadership, coaching and capability building
- Stakeholder collaboration and organisational support
The role is based at Atlas House Leicester LE3 1UT with travel to support nursery settings as required. The RAF Association is a Disability Confident employer. Please let us know if you require any assistance with your application.
RAFAKidz Nurseries Business Manager employer: RAF Association
The Royal Air Force Families Federation is an exceptional employer dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for RAF families worldwide. With a strong commitment to employee well-being, we offer generous benefits such as up to 42 days of annual leave, life insurance, and access to health support services, all within a supportive and collaborative work culture. Located at RAF Wittering, our hybrid working model allows for flexibility while you engage in meaningful advocacy work that directly impacts the lives of service families.
