At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead quality and operations across nurseries, ensuring excellence in early years education.
- Company: Dynamic nursery group focused on high-quality early years education.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, annual car allowance, and opportunities for professional development.
- Other info: Join a supportive team with a focus on innovation and community engagement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on children's education while driving strategic growth.
- Qualifications: Level 3 in Early Years Education and leadership experience in nursery settings.
The predicted salary is between 42000 - 84000 £ per year.
Location: North West - Liverpool, Oldham, Leeds and Cheshire
Purpose of the Role
As Quality & Operations Manager, you will drive strategic leadership across our nursery portfolio—championing excellence in early years education, safeguarding, compliance, and commercial performance. Partnering closely with the Managing Director and nursery teams, you will translate our vision into measurable, sustainable quality and operational success.
Key Responsibilities
Quality Leadership & Early Years Excellence
- Own and lead our quality strategy across all nurseries, ensuring consistently high standards and Outstanding practice.
- Serve as the lead champion of our EYFS curriculum, fostering consistency, innovation, and pedagogical excellence.
- Conduct regular in-depth quality assurance visits and audits—leading entry to action planning, coaching, and outcomes tracking.
- Perform the role of Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) for the group, supporting nursery DSLs to embed best-in-class safeguarding.
- Cultivate continuous professional development journeys that elevate early years provision across all settings.
Strategic Leadership & Vision Deployment
- Collaborate with the MD to shape and deliver the group’s long-term vision, values, and strategic quality goals.
- Lead cross-functional initiatives that drive continuous improvement in both educational and business performance.
- Spearhead service expansion and growth strategies in support of long-term sustainability.
Operational Oversight & Manager Development
- Ensure consistent, efficient day‑to‑day operations across all nursery settings.
- Mentor and develop Nursery Managers—providing best practice guidance, training, and performance oversight.
- Partner with HR on staffing, retention, and recruitment strategies to underpin quality and compliance.
Compliance & Quality Assurance
- Guarantee all settings meet or exceed Ofsted standards and statutory regulatory requirements.
- Lead preparations, mock inspections, and responses to external audits.
- Develop and continuously refine policies in line with legislative updates and sector best practice.
- Support the MD by monitoring budgets, occupancy, fee collection, and profitability—always with a quality-first mindset.
- Identify opportunities for operational efficiency and innovation in service delivery.
- Oversee procurement and resource optimization with cost‑effectiveness and quality in mind.
Stakeholder Engagement & Representation
- Represent the nursery group with external partners, regulatory bodies, and professional networks.
- Foster trust-based relationships with families, staff, and community stakeholders.
- Prepare and present board-level quality reporting as required (e.g. board packs).
Person Specification
Qualifications
- Level 3 (or above) in Early Years Education as per DfE standards.
Experience
- Demonstrable leadership in early years settings or nursery groups.
- Experience managing multi-site operations or large complex settings.
- Proven success in improving Ofsted outcomes and enhancing pedagogical standards.
Skills & Attributes
- Inspirational leader with strong coaching and team-development capability.
- Excellent communicator and relationship-builder.
- Analytical, strategic problem-solver with sharp attention to detail.
- Professional integrity paired with emotional intelligence.
- Resilient and adaptable in a dynamic, fast‑paced environment.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
- Ofsted ratings and quality audit outcomes across settings
- Growth in occupancy and revenue
- Staff retention and engagement metrics
- Compliance audit results and policy adherence
- Parental satisfaction scores
Please note that this role covers geography from Liverpool, Oldham and Leeds and as such a clean Driving License is required. A annual car allowance is included in salary package.
Seniority level Director
Employment type Full-time
Job function Quality Assurance
Industries Education
We’re helping candidates find roles; this job posting overview has been cleaned of non-essential boilerplate.
Operations and Quality Manager in Oldham employer: The Meadows Nursery Group
As an Operations and Quality Manager with us, you will be part of a dynamic team dedicated to excellence in early years education across the North West, including Liverpool, Oldham, Leeds, and Cheshire. We pride ourselves on fostering a supportive work culture that prioritises professional development, offering mentorship and training opportunities to help you thrive in your role. With a commitment to quality and compliance, we ensure our employees are equipped with the resources they need to succeed, making this an exceptional place for those passionate about shaping the future of education.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Operations and Quality Manager in Oldham
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the early years education sector, especially those connected to the nurseries you're interested in. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insider info that could set you apart.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by diving deep into the nursery's values and quality strategies. Show us how your experience aligns with their goals, and don’t forget to bring examples of your past successes in improving Ofsted outcomes!
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to discuss your vision for operational excellence. We want to hear how you plan to mentor Nursery Managers and drive continuous improvement. Make it clear that you’re all about quality and compliance!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to connect directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Operations and Quality Manager in Oldham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Early Years Education:When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for early years education shine through. We want to see how you can champion excellence and drive quality in our nurseries, so share your experiences and what motivates you in this field.
Tailor Your Application to the Role:Make sure to customise your application to highlight your relevant experience and skills that align with the job description. We’re looking for someone who can lead quality strategies and operational success, so be specific about how you've done this in the past.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured responses that get straight to the heart of your qualifications and experiences. Avoid fluff and focus on what makes you a great fit for the Operations and Quality Manager role.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our team at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Meadows Nursery Group
✨Know Your Quality Standards
Familiarise yourself with the latest Ofsted standards and quality assurance practices. Be ready to discuss how you’ve previously improved outcomes in early years settings, as this will show your commitment to excellence.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams or initiatives in multi-site operations. Highlight your coaching and mentoring experiences, as these are crucial for the role of Operations and Quality Manager.
✨Understand the Business Side
Brush up on your knowledge of budget management, occupancy rates, and compliance metrics. Be prepared to discuss how you can drive operational efficiency while maintaining a quality-first mindset.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Think about how you would build relationships with families, staff, and external partners. Prepare to share strategies for fostering trust and collaboration, as stakeholder engagement is key to success in this role.
