Practice Innovation Manager

PRIMARY DETAIL

Support the provision of high-quality education and care by collaborating and engaging with industry and academic experts in current research, best practice, and innovation in early learning and out of school hours programs.
• Exciting new role with focus on embedding best practice
• Extensive professional development opportunities
• Excellent conditions including free gym plus other benefits

THE ROLE

We seek a Practice Innovation Manager to lead our new Practice Innovation team.   

Reporting into the Business Operations Manager, Early Learning, you will be an experienced early childhood professional who values high quality early education and is skilled at supporting teachers and educators to translate research into practice. A key component of this role will be to work closely with the Macquarie School of Education and other stakeholders to promote and enhance program offerings across all of our centres in addition to supporting and facilitating the Demonstration School mission of Mia Mia Child & Family Study Centre. The successful applicant will be a skilled communicator and change agent who enjoys working collaboratively and who is willing and able to think outside of the box when it comes to high quality education and care.  

You will enjoy competitive pay plus a range of salary packaging options and other benefits including:

• Education and professional development opportunities  
• Free access - Macquarie University Sport & Aquatic Centre
• Additional paid concessional days
• Access to our staff wellbeing program, staff support services, & employee flu      shot program 
• Discounted corporate health insurance
• 25% discount at Campus Life outlets on campus 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Collaborate and engage with industry and academic experts in current research, best practice, and innovation in early learning and out of school hours programs in order to support and inform the translation from research to practice and the subsequent implementation of appropriate practices at the centre level
• Build relationships and work collaboratively with key stakeholders across U@MQ, Macquarie School of Education, the broader University, and external partners to support service delivery, and to promote and enhance program offerings across all early learning centres, including the demonstration school component of Mia Mia Child & Family Study Centre
• With oversight and guidance from the Business Operations Manager, Early Learning, foster a culture of critical reflection and continuous improvement across Early Learning, including facilitating communities of practice across all centres, providing guidance, advice and support to ensure best practice initiatives are embedded into programs and practice, and undertaking analysis and evaluation of best practice initiatives  
• Assist the Business Operations Manager, Eary Learning, by providing coaching and/or mentoring where appropriate and identifying and recommending relevant development activities 
• Maintain up to date knowledge of the Early Years Learning Framework and Framework for School Aged Care and actively support the Centres to work towards an Exceeding (or higher) rating in the National Quality Standards
• Work with the Business Operations Manager, Early Learning and Centre Managers to ensure compliance with the National Quality Framework, Child Protection Laws and other regulatory requirements, including having up to date relevant policies and procedures in place  
• Manage, lead and provide direction to the Practice Innovation team to ensure cohesiveness, foster a culture of collaboration, continuous improvement and accountability, and to support and facilitate development, training and mentoring opportunities
• Work with the Centre Managers to identify opportunities for research and other relevant activities to be undertaken at the centres by the University and/or other partners

SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

• Proven understanding of pedagogy, child development and evidence-based, high-quality practice in early childhood environments, with the ability to convey and translate complex ideas and concepts in easy-to-understand ways and into practice
• Extensive experience in undertaking, fostering, analysing and evaluating innovative service delivery in an early learning environment, particularly across multiple teams 
• Ability to work collaboratively with experts and stakeholders, including the Macquarie School of Education and the broader university, to support and enhance practice in the early learning centres and build upon the demonstration school mission of Mia Mia Child & Family Study Centre 
• Extensive experience in leading, coaching, and mentoring others and ability to effectively lead change and continuous improvement initiatives and building communities of practice across a diverse team
• A commitment to continuous professional development
• Understanding of Child Protection Laws, the responsibilities associated with being a Mandatory Reporter, and associated implications on practice in an early learning setting
• High level knowledge of the National Quality Framework, including the Law, Regulations and National Quality Standards, Early Years Learning Framework and Framework for School Age Children
• Experience in establishing, building and maintaining respectful and ethical relationships with colleagues, children, families and other diverse stakeholders
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and well-developed interpersonal skills 
• Excellent organisational, problem solving and time management skills 
• Computer literacy eg Office 365

QUALIFICATIONS

• ACECQA approved Degree in early childhood education. Relevant post graduate qualifications are not essential but will be highly regarded.
• Working with Children Check
• Criminal History Check
• Approved Child Protection training  

ABOUT US

U@MQ Ltd is a controlled entity of Macquarie University known as Campus Life. Located at Macquarie University’s Wallumattagal Campus, North Ryde, Campus Life has four early learning centres providing high quality education to children from six weeks of age and one vacation care program for primary school aged children.  Our play-based educational and school holiday programs are based around:

• Supporting and encouraging a love for learning that involves curiosity, creativity, and innovation
• Connecting with others, oneself, and the environment
• Supporting each child’s dispositions for learning
• Supporting children’s wellbeing
• Celebrating and sharing the importance of childhood as a unique and valuable time

We have access to university spaces and facilities to support and enhance our programs and collaborate regularly with the University’s community, including the Macquarie School of Education.

We are committed to our people; we embrace diversity and welcome our people just as they are and prioritise professional development. At Campus Life you will benefit from being part of a dynamic and committed team.  The successful candidate will share our organisational values of Courage, Agility, Rigour, Empowerment and Support (CARES) and commit to these being visible in their actions and words. 

HOW TO APPLY

If being part of an inclusive, vibrant, team orientated organisation is something you are passionate about we encourage you to apply.  

For general enquiries or a copy of the Position Description, please contact Maria Bennett on 0414 182 786.

To apply, submit your resume and a cover letter that clearly tells us how you meet the Skills & Experience and Qualifications sections above .

If you need any support or reasonable adjustments through this recruitment process, please let us know so we can provide the support you need.

If you're already part of the Macquarie Group (MQ University, U@MQ, MQ Health, MGSM), you'll need to apply through your employee Workday account. To apply for this job: Login to Workday and go to the Careers App > Find Jobs.

Applications Close:

14/04/2024 11:59 PM

Diversity and Inclusion

Innovation and ingenuity thrive at Macquarie University when diversity, equity and inclusion take centre stage. At the University, we embrace a culture where diversity of background, experience and perspective are fundamental to our success.

We do not discriminate on gender identity, age, culture, disability, sexuality, Indigeneity, family and caring responsibilities or religion. See our journey towards leadership in Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in Higher Education.

Flexible Work
 

At Macquarie, we believe by providing flexibility in when, where and how work is done, we can support our staff to manage their personal commitments, while optimising their work performance and contributions to the University. See how we lead in flexible work to enable an outcome focused and inclusive workplace. To learn more about our culture and hiring process, explore our Candidate Resource Hub .