Service Manager ECE

ECE Service Manager | Fixed Term

Lead, Inspire and Shape, the future of Early Childhood Education

Are you an experienced ECE leader ready to make a lasting impact?

At Lifewise, we believe every child deserves the opportunity to thrive. We're looking for an exceptional ECE Service Manager who combines strong educational leadership with strategic vision, business acumen, and a genuine commitment to tamariki, whānau and community.

This isn't just another ECE leadership role.

This is your chance to influence the future of early childhood education within an organisation committed to social change, inclusion, and creating brighter futures for the communities we serve.

About Us | Mō Mātou

Lifewise is part of the Methodist Mission Northern family and has been supporting New Zealand communities for generations. Guided by our values of Compassion (Arohanui), Courage (Maia), Respect (Whakaute) and Integrity (Ngākau Pono), we work alongside people and communities to create meaningful and lasting change.

Our Early Childhood Education services provide safe, nurturing, inclusive and trauma-informed learning environments where tamariki can grow, learn and flourish. Grounded in Te Whāriki, we are committed to culturally responsive practice and strengthening partnerships with whānau and community

About the Role | Mō te Tūranga

Reporting to the General Manager, Community Services, you will provide educational, operational, people and business leadership across Lifewise’s ECE services. You will support Centre Managers and teaching teams to deliver high-quality education and care while ensuring services remain safe, compliant, well-led and financially sustainable.

A significant focus of this fixed-term position will be developing an evidence-informed ECE strategy. You will assess the long-term purpose, operating model, sustainability and potential growth of our services, then translate your findings into clear recommendations for the future.

As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, you will also contribute an ECE perspective to organisation-wide strategy, leadership and service integration

Key Responsibilities | Ngā Mahi

In this role, you will:

• Lead safe, sustainable and high-quality ECE services.


• Coach and support Centre Managers and teaching teams to succeed.


• Develop Lifewise’s long-term ECE strategy and future direction.


• Champion inclusive, trauma-informed and culturally responsive practice aligned with Te Whāriki.


• Maintain strong regulatory, licensing, funding, safeguarding and quality assurance practices.


• Oversee budgets, occupancy, enrolments, workforce planning and financial performance.


• Build trusted relationships with whānau, iwi, communities, regulators, funders and sector partners.


• Use evidence and operational data to improve quality and inform decision-making.


• Bring Te Tiriti o Waitangi to life through leadership, relationships and everyday practice.

What You’ll Bring | Ngā Pūkenga me ngā Wheako

You are an experienced ECE leader who can balance the big picture with the everyday realities of service delivery. You build trust, lead confidently through change and keep tamariki and whānau at the centre of your decisions.

You will bring:

• A recognised ECE teaching qualification.


• Current teacher registration and a practising certificate.


• Significant leadership experience within licensed centre-based ECE services.


• Strong knowledge of ECE legislation, licensing, funding, ERO and Teaching Council requirements.


• Experience in strategy, organisational change, service improvement and business development.


• Strong financial, operational and workforce management capability.


• Proven experience coaching and developing managers and teaching teams.


• A demonstrated commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and culturally responsive practice.


• Strong communication, stakeholder engagement and relationship-building skills.


• A current full New Zealand driver licence.

Experience within a community, not-for-profit or social service environment would be an advantage

What’s in It for You? | Nōu te Rourou

This is an opportunity to use your ECE leadership experience to create meaningful and lasting impact. You will:

• Shape the future direction of ECE within a purpose-led organisation.


• Make a genuine difference for tamariki, whānau and communities.


• Contribute to organisation-wide decisions as part of the Senior Leadership Team.


• Lead strategic work with the potential to leave a lasting legacy.


• Work alongside passionate, collaborative and values-driven people.

Ready to make your Mark?

Apply now with your CV and cover letter to help create a future where every tamaiti has the opportunity to belong, thrive and learn.

Closing date: 25/09/2026