Assistant Director / Educational Leader

Job no: 0052955
Location: Parkville
Role type: Full time; Fixed term
Department/School: Student and Scholarly Services
Salary: UOM 6 – $89,182 – $96,536 p.a. plus 17% super (pro rata for part-time) 

The University of Melbourne would like to acknowledge and pay respect to the Traditional Owners of the lands upon which our campuses are situated, the Wurundjeri and Boon Wurrung Peoples, the Yorta Yorta Nation, the Dja Dja Wurrung People. We acknowledge that the land on which we meet and learn was the place of age-old ceremonies, of celebration, initiation and renewal, and that the local Aboriginal Peoples have had and continue to have a unique role in the life of these lands. 

About - Student and Scholarly Services 
Student and Scholarly Services provides student administration and services from recruitment and point of enquiry to graduation. This team also delivers wellbeing and scholarly services to students and staff 

Early Childhood Education Services is located within Student and Scholarly Services at The University of Melbourne, comprising the Early Learning Centre, Abbotsford (90 places daily), Queensberry Children’s Centre (96 places daily) and Swanston Street Children’s Centres (40 places daily). These centres provide early childhood education for approximately 266 children aged 6 months to five years from the University and the surrounding community. The centres operate for a minimum of 48 weeks per year and are open for up to 10.5 hours per day. The early childhood education staff team is comprised of approximately 60 staff working either full-time or part-time across the three centres. 

About the Role 
As the Assistant Director (Educational Leader) at our Swanston Street service, you will be responsible for the provision of ethical, innovative, high-quality care and education programs that meet Centre and industry regulatory requirements. In addition, you will provide mentoring, support, and pedagogical leadership to the service’s Early Childhood Educators – Certificate III, Diploma, and Degree level. Including providing advice on all aspects of programs and supporting educators to engage with contemporary education and learning theories in their work.  

You will also take a leadership role in handling illness, accidents and emergencies, including compliance reporting, liaise with families using the service, handle complaints and concerns in a professional and diplomatic manner and providing advice and referrals for enquiries from prospective services users. 

Your role will primarily support the Director of The Swanston Street Children’s Centre in the day-to-day operation of the Centre. 

Responsibilities include: 

• Treating all children equitably, and respecting diversity in all aspects of practice 

• To ensure effective team leadership, role modelling and mentoring for other early childhood staff within the service 

• To adhere to Victorian Government reporting requirements as they pertain to the role of the Early Childhood Teacher, in particular the delivery of the Victorian Government Funded 3 and 4-YearOld Kindergarten programs 

• To be responsible for the formulation, delivery and evaluation of a developmentally appropriate, ethically sound, exemplary and innovative, education and care programs that respond to the Early Years Learning Framework, the Victorian Early Learning and Development Framework and contemporary trends in early childhood theory and practice 

About You 
To be successful in this role, your advanced verbal and written communication skills and team leadership skills will enable you to build positive and respectful relationships with people, including young children, educators, and families. You will have a motivational attitude that drives change, difference, and optimism. You will be a confident and innovative leader who can implement new ideas and take risks.  

You will also have: 

• A Master of Teaching (Early Childhood), Bachelor of Teaching Early Childhood including a Master of Education, a master's level qualification in a related discipline, or evidence/intention to complete a qualification at this level 

• Current Victorian institute of Teaching (VIT) registration 

• Highly developed understanding of all aspects of the operation of a Children’s Centre, including staffing arrangements, children’s health and welfare, enrolments, emergencies, food provision and excursions 

• Demonstrated ability to build positive and respectful relationships with people, including young children, educators, and families using the services 

To ensure the University continues to provide a safe environment for everyone, this position requires the incumbent to hold a current and valid Working with Children Check. 

Please note: To be considered for this role you must have current valid work rights for Australia. 

About the University 
The University of Melbourne is consistently ranked amongst the leading universities in the world. We are proud of our people, our commitment to research and teaching excellence, and our global engagement. 

Benefits of Working with Us 
In addition to having the opportunity to grow and be challenged, and to be part of a vibrant campus life, our people enjoy a range of rewarding benefits: 

• Flexible working arrangements, generous personal, parental and cultural leave 

• Competitive remuneration, 17% super, salary packaging and leave loading 

• Free and subsidised health and wellbeing services, and access to fitness and cultural clubs 

• Discounts on a wide range of products and services including Myki cards and Qantas Club 

• Career development opportunities and 25% off graduate courses for staff and their immediate families 

To find out more, visit https://about.unimelb.edu.au/careers/staff-benefits . 

Be Yourself 
We value the unique backgrounds, experiences and contributions that each person brings to our community and encourage and celebrate diversity.  First Nations people, those identifying as LGBTQIA+, females, people of all ages, with disabilities and culturally and linguistically diverse people are encouraged to apply. Our aim is to create a workforce that reflects the community in which we live. 

Join Us! 
If you feel this role is right for you, please apply with your CV and cover letter outlining your interest and experience.  Please note that you are not required to provide responses against the selection criteria in the Position Description. 

We are dedicated to ensuring barrier free and inclusive practices to recruit the most talented candidates. If you require any reasonable adjustments with the recruitment process, please contact us at [email protected] . 

#LI-Hybrid 

Position Description