Operations, Marketing & Compliance Lead – Nursery – Haringey / Herts / Hybrid

We are seeking a proactive, highly organised and versatile Nursery Operations, Marketing & Compliance Lead to join a growing early years organisation.

This is a dynamic, multi-disciplinary role combining nursery operations, administration, marketing, compliance, health & safety and recruitment.

The successful candidate will play an important role in supporting the effective operation and continued growth of the nursery settings. Working closely with the Managing Directors, Area Managers and Nursery Managers, the role will help ensure that the administrative systems are effective, the recruitment processes are robust, compliance requirements are met, and the nurseries and brand are effectively promoted.

This role would particularly suit an experienced Nursery Manager or Deputy Manager who is looking to move away from the day-to-day running a nursery and into a more office-based operational role, while continuing to use their valuable Early Years knowledge and experience.

The successful candidate will need to be comfortable working across different areas of the business, managing competing priorities and responding flexibly as the organisation expands and develops new nursery sites.

The successful candidate will be:

• Highly organised and able to manage competing priorities.
• Proactive, taking ownership rather than waiting to be instructed.
• Detail-focused, particularly when dealing with compliance and employee records.
• Commercially aware, with an understanding of how marketing, recruitment and customer engagement support business growth.
• Flexible and adaptable, with a willingness to take on new responsibilities as the organisation expands.
• Confident and professional when communicating with Managers, employees, candidates, parents and external stakeholders.
• Discreet and trustworthy when handling confidential employee and business information.
• A strong team player who is willing to support colleagues and contribute to the wider success of the organisation.
• Knowledgeable about Early Years practice, with the ability to translate practical nursery experience into effective systems and processes.

Working Arrangements

This is a hybrid, office-based operational role, combining remote working with regular attendance at nursery settings and operational locations. As the organisation continues to expand, the location and travel requirements of the role may develop accordingly.

The successful candidate must be willing and able to travel approximately three days per week, or as reasonably required according to the needs of the business and its nursery sites.

It is a full time role, however there is scope for an additional 1–2 weeks leave during the summer by prior agreement.

Recruitment Bonus

• £100 bonus for each leadership position successfully recruited without the use of an external recruitment agency.
• £75 bonus for each qualified practitioner successfully recruited without the use of an external recruitment agency.

• Provide effective operational and administrative support to the Managing Directors, Area Managers and Nursery Managers.
• Act as a central point of support for nursery managers on operational, administrative and compliance matters.
• Assist with diary management, scheduling and coordination of meetings.
• Arrange meetings, events, site visits and external services as required.
• Maintain accurate records relating to employees, contracts, policies, certificates, invoices and official documentation.
• Support effective communication between the central office, nursery teams, parents, candidates and external partners.
• Work collaboratively with other office administrators to ensure continuity of service and minimise gaps in administrative workflows.
• Develop, improve and maintain internal administrative systems, trackers and processes to increase efficiency.
• Create and refine templates, procedures and systems to improve communication across the organisation.
• Support the administration associated with new nursery site openings.
• Coordinate visits to prospective or new sites and assist with associated administration.
• Undertake or support competitive analysis, market research and site visits relating to potential new nursery locations.
• Assist with gathering information required to support business expansion and new site development.
• Provide general operational and administrative support across the organisation as required.

• Manage and coordinate the organisation's social media presence across Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.
• Create, coordinate and publish regular, engaging and brand-consistent content.
• Develop marketing materials including flyers, digital advertisements, posters, signage and promotional materials.
• Coordinate marketing and promotional activities for new nursery openings, open days and registration campaigns.
• Support Managers with guidance and training on the organisation's branding, tone of voice and expectations for social media content.
• Create templates, marketing resources and brand portfolio information for individual nursery sites.
• Coordinate the printing and distribution of promotional and advertising materials.
• Monitor marketing activity and prepare reports on campaign performance and engagement.
• Undertake market research, including researching customer trends, buying patterns, competitor activity and relevant statistics.
• Gather and report on customer feedback and market intelligence to support business development.
• Draft and distribute press releases where appropriate.
• Organise and coordinate press, networking and speaker events within the Early Years sector.
• Coordinate the organisation's annual conference and related communications.
• Identify and maintain a presence on relevant Early Years, nursery and childcare websites and directories.
• Manage and update website content, including nursery information and additional resources.
• Coordinate applications for relevant awards, accreditations and industry recognition, and promote successful applications across social media and other channels.
• Support the marketing of new nursery sites and expansion opportunities.

• Support the organisation in maintaining high standards of regulatory, operational and statutory compliance across all nursery settings.
• Conduct annual reviews of company policies and procedures and coordinate updates where required.
• Draft and implement new policies and procedures in response to changes in legislation, regulation or business requirements.
• Keep up to date with relevant Early Years, EYFS, safeguarding, employment, health & safety and other applicable legislation and guidance.
• Communicate relevant legislative and regulatory updates to Area Managers and Nursery Managers.
• Ensure compliance documentation is accurate, current, appropriately filed and readily accessible.
• Monitor key compliance deadlines and send timely reminders to Managers regarding fire safety checks, risk assessments, training renewals and other statutory requirements.
• Create and maintain risk assessments and supporting compliance documentation where required.
• Prepare supporting documentation for new nursery site openings, business pitches, inspections and operational requirements.
• Assist Managers with maintaining appropriate records and evidence of compliance.
• Support the implementation and review of health & safety procedures across nursery settings.
• Identify potential compliance gaps and proactively work with Managers to address them.
• Maintain an organised central system for policies, procedures, certificates and other compliance documentation.
• Support Managers in understanding and implementing changes to relevant legislation and Early Years guidance.

• Develop and implement recruitment campaigns using recruitment platforms, social media, local recruitment channels and other appropriate sources.
• Advertise available vacancies and maintain up-to-date job listings across the organisation's website and relevant recruitment platforms.
• Source candidates for nursery and leadership vacancies.
• Review and shortlist CVs and applications for consideration by the relevant Area Manager.
• Conduct initial/first-stage interviews and provide clear, structured feedback to Area Managers.
• Coordinate interview arrangements and communicate with candidates throughout the recruitment process.
• Carry out and maintain safer recruitment checks, including references, DBS checks and right-to-work checks.
• Maintain the Single Central Record (SCR) accurately and in real time.
• Prepare and issue offer letters and employment contracts as required.
• Coordinate the onboarding process for new employees, ensuring all required documentation is completed.
• Set up new employees on relevant systems, including EY platforms, uploading certificates and arranging Noodle Now access, where applicable.
• Maintain accurate recruitment and employee records.
• Ensure Managers are alerted when mandatory training, certificates or checks are due for renewal.
• Support Managers with recruitment processes and provide guidance on safer recruitment requirements.
• Assist with international recruitment, including supporting visa applications and associated processes for overseas candidates.
• Promote the organisation as an employer of choice and support initiatives designed to attract and retain high-quality Early Years professionals.
• Maintain up-to-date vacancy information for all nursery branches on the organisation's website and recruitment platforms.

• Previous experience in nursery management, Early Years, administration, marketing, recruitment, compliance or a similar multi-disciplinary role.
• Strong knowledge of EYFS requirements and Early Years regulatory frameworks.
• Experience of safer recruitment processes.
• Familiarity with maintaining a Single Central Record.
• Experience using Early Years management or compliance platforms.
• Experience of recruitment within the Early Years sector.
• Excellent organisational and time-management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks, projects and deadlines simultaneously.
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Proactive approach to problem-solving, with the ability to identify issues and take appropriate action.
• Ability to work independently while also working effectively as part of a wider team.
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities and business requirements.
• Confident using Microsoft Office, OneDrive and other digital administration systems.
• Experience of managing social media and digital marketing campaigns
• Competent using Canva and social media platforms.
• Ability to handle confidential information appropriately.
• Knowledge of health & safety and workplace compliance requirements.
• Professional, approachable and confident manner when communicating with employees, candidates, parents and external organisations.

Desirable

• Experience supporting the opening or development of new business sites.
• Experience working within a growing, multi-site business

• GCSE Maths / English at Grade C or above or Functional Skills Level 2 in English and Maths (essential).
• NCFE CACHE Level 3 Diploma for the Early Years Workforce or equivalent (desirable)
• NCFE CACHE Level 4 / 5 3 Diploma for the Early Years Workforce or equivalent (desirable)
• Level 3 Leadership & management training (desirable)
• Degree in appropriate subject including Early Years Care, Finance, Business, Marketing. (desirable)

• Current Safeguarding certification.

• Commitment to continuous professional development.
• Physically able to carry out the requirements of the role.
• Flexibility to work various shifts as needed.
• Enhanced DBS on the update service (or willingness to apply for one)*.