Early Years Operational Manager

Early Years Operational Manager From 1 December 2025 the pay range for this role will be £60,357 – £67,381 Band 13 (pro rata for part time colleagues). All new starters will begin at the bottom of the pay band. The role offers scope for growth, meaningful contribution, and a chance to be part of a forward‑thinking team. We have an exciting opportunity for an Early Years Operational Manager who will oversee a team of Portage Officers, Area SENCOs, Early Years Childcare Advisors and our own BCP Nursery. Role Overview Lead and oversee the Early Years Service, supporting children under five and their families. Drive the council’s ambition for excellent Early Years services by ensuring high‑quality, effective partnerships and services are available to all families across the BCP council area. Work closely with the strategic lead to shape and drive the strategic direction of the Early Years sector. Key Responsibilities Lead and manage the Early Years Service, promoting a positive and inclusive culture. Demonstrate strong leadership skills with significant experience in managing, motivating, and coaching staff teams. Oversee SEND services across the Early Years. Contribute to the development and implementation of strategies to ensure high‑quality, inclusive, and coordinated multi‑agency services for children. Work closely with the strategic lead to shape and drive the strategic direction of the Early Years sector. Manage a team of talented individuals and collaborate with maintained nursery schools, PVI settings, childminders, and out‑of‑hours providers to deliver statutory duties. Provide reports and statistical analysis to senior leaders and external agencies such as Ofsted and DfE. Attend regional partnership meetings on behalf of the service and local authority. Input into and support Early Help strategy development, leading its implementation and operation to comply with statutory regulations and consider the diverse needs of users. Lead on monitoring and evaluating performance against national and local key performance indicators, driving future improvement and outcomes. Manage team managers and associated budgets, ensuring the highest professional standards and efficient management of resources. Champion a framework for practice, leading teams in learning and embedding practice models, toolkits, and interventions. Contribute to the development of multi‑agency services at a strategic level by building sophisticated relationships with external partners. Ensure consistent implementation of local policies, processes, and procedures to meet statutory guidance and legal framework. Develop and implement quality assurance processes to promote and embed best practices. The Ideal Candidate Lively and enthusiastic with a passion for early childhood education and services. Knowledge of SEND code of practice and implementation. Strong leadership and ability to promote a positive and inclusive culture. High level of resilience and emotional intelligence. Ability to remain calm under pressure and prioritise work. Effective interpersonal skills and excellent planning and organising skills. Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously. The successful candidate will have extensive knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage and early child development and will advocate for inclusive practice. They will possess a sound understanding of Ofsted inspections, current Government initiatives for children 0‑5, and early years funding mechanisms and requirements. Closing date 8th December. For an informal discussion about this role please contact Kerry Smith at kerry.smith@bcpcouncil.gov.uk. About BCP Council BCP Council provides services to a diverse community of 400,000 residents and employs more than 5,000 people. Our area includes over 15 miles of world‑renowned coastline. We offer career‑defining roles that transform and improve services, helping to deliver a thriving, world‑class, prosperous and inclusive place for generations to come. Our Benefits At BCP Council, we’re not just building a workforce— we’re transforming how we recognise and reward our people. Attractively enhanced benefits and a new Pay and Reward package are available. You can find out more on our careers page. DBS BCP Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the community and expects all staff and volunteers to share the same commitment. Applicants to this post will be required to complete an appropriate level of Disclosure & Barring Service Check. Please refer to the Job Description or Role Profile for more details. #J-18808-Ljbffr