Operational Manager – Operations & Compliance
Peter Pan Childcare | Dublin | Full-Time – 39 Hours
Peter Pan Childcare is seeking an experienced and highly organised Operational Manager – Operations & Compliance to lead the operational performance and compliance of our growing network of School Age Childcare centres.
Reporting directly to the General Manager, this is a senior multi-site management role responsible for ensuring that every Peter Pan centre operates safely, efficiently, consistently and in full compliance with regulatory and company requirements.
Key Responsibilities Multi-Site Operations
- Oversee the day-to-day operations of all Peter Pan Childcare centres.
- Support, supervise and hold Centre Supervisors accountable for operational performance.
- Ensure centres are appropriately staffed and required ratios are maintained.
- Coordinate operational coverage for absences and unexpected situations.
- Conduct regular centre visits and operational reviews.
- Ensure opening, closing, collection and daily operational procedures are followed.
- Identify operational problems and implement practical solutions.
Compliance & Safeguarding
- Maintain operational compliance with Tusla, School Age Childcare, Child Safeguarding, Health & Safety and other applicable requirements.
- Ensure required policies, procedures and records are correctly implemented across centres.
- Maintain inspection readiness across all services.
- Monitor Garda Vetting, mandatory training and employee compliance documentation.
- Oversee risk assessments, accident/incident records, fire safety and emergency procedures.
- Coordinate corrective actions following audits, inspections or identified compliance issues.
- Escalate serious safeguarding or compliance concerns to the General Manager/DLP as appropriate.
Staffing & Leadership
- Support and develop Centre Supervisors.
- Monitor staffing levels, rosters and operational coverage.
- Conduct regular operational meetings with Supervisors.
- Set clear operational expectations and follow up on outstanding actions.
- Support management with performance concerns and operational training requirements.
- Promote accountability, professionalism and strong communication across centres.
Premises, Transport & Safety
- Ensure centres are safe, clean, appropriately equipped and operationally ready.
- Oversee operational arrangements for school collections.
- Ensure collection routes and transport arrangements operate safely and efficiently.
Performance & Continuous Improvement
- Monitor operational KPIs across centres.
- Identify recurring issues, risks and opportunities for improvement.
- Develop and implement more efficient operational processes.
- Support the implementation of new systems and procedures.
- Monitor operational costs and support effective use of company resources.
- Produce regular operational and compliance reports for the General Manager.
- Support the operational integration and opening of new Peter Pan centres as the company expands.
Key Performance Indicators
Performance will include:
- Centre compliance and inspection readiness
- Staffing and ratio compliance
- Completion of corrective actions
- Health & Safety compliance
- Operational incidents
- Centre readiness
- Supervisor performance
- Operational documentation accuracy
- Collection and transport performance
- Operational cost control
- Implementation of company procedures
What We're Looking For
- Previous experience in Operations Management, Childcare Management, Compliance or Multi-Site Management.
- Strong leadership and people-management skills.
- Excellent organisational and problem-solving abilities.
- Strong understanding of compliance and risk management.
- Ability to manage multiple locations and competing priorities.
- High level of accountability and attention to detail.
- Experience working within the Irish childcare sector is highly desirable.
- Knowledge of Tusla and School Age Childcare requirements is highly desirable.
- Strong IT and administrative skills.
- Ability to travel regularly between centres.
- Fluent English, with strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to communicate professionally in at least two languages.
- Portuguese, Spanish or other languages commonly spoken within multicultural teams are considered an advantage.
- A full valid driving licence is essential.
What We Offer
We want our management team to grow with Peter Pan.
Benefits include:
- €100 monthly Rent Support
- €50 monthly Transport Support
- €40 monthly Wellness Support
- 7 paid sick days per year
- Paid day off on your birthday
- €50 Birthday Benefit
- Professional development and training
- Career progression opportunities
- Direct exposure to senior management
- Multi-site management experience
- Opportunity to participate in new centre openings and company expansion
- Supportive Head Office structure
- Opportunity to play an important role in shaping the operational structure of a growing childcare group
Position Details
Job Title: Operational Manager – Operations & Compliance
Reports to: General Manager
Contract: Permanent, Full-Time
Hours: 39 hours per week
Location: Dublin – Multi-Site
Driving Licence: Essential
You will be responsible for ensuring that every Peter Pan Childcare centre is operationally ready, appropriately staffed, safe, compliant and performing effectively every day.
Pay: €37,607.62-€45,023.20 per year
Work Location: In person
