Job Description Business Support Manager – Early Years n Location: Leicester, with regular travel across UK nursery settings n Salary: £40,000 per annum n Hours: Full-time n We are recruiting an experienced early years professional to help strengthen the commercial and operational performance of a multi-site nursery organisation. n This is an excellent opportunity for a Nursery Manager, Area Manager or similar early years leader who understands how occupancy, staffing, financial control and effective operational systems combine to create sustainable, high-quality nursery provision. n Reporting to an Executive Director, you will work alongside regional leaders, Nursery Managers and Deputies. You will analyse performance, identify areas for improvement and provide practical, hands-on support to settings experiencing growth, change or operational challenges. n The role n Business performance and commercial support n n Improve occupancy, place utilisation, enquiry conversion and financial performance n Monitor KPIs including attendance, staffing deployment, agency and overtime use, debt and operational expenditure n Help nursery leaders interpret performance information and turn it into practical action plans n Support settings where there are concerns around occupancy, staffing costs, business processes or financial sustainability n Develop and monitor recovery plans, improvement plans and setting-level business actions n Identify opportunities to increase income, reduce avoidable costs and improve value for money without compromising care or education n n Operational improvement n n Strengthen operational consistency across multiple nursery settings n Review local practices and identify opportunities to improve efficiency and compliance n Support effective processes covering staffing records, registers, fee administration, funding and reporting n Provide hands-on support during periods of growth, mobilisation, leadership transition or operational instability n Help implement new systems, working practices and organisation-wide initiatives n Develop practical tools and reporting mechanisms that improve performance visibility and accountability n n Financial control and resource efficiency n n Help managers understand occupancy, funded and private income, staffing costs, consumables and controllable expenditure n Improve rota planning, staff deployment and ratio efficiency n Monitor agency use, overtime and workforce utilisation n Support accurate funding claims, invoicing and income collection n Contribute to budget monitoring, variance reviews and forecasting n Help nursery leaders balance financial sustainability with safe, high-quality provision n n Compliance and assurance n n Support settings in meeting statutory, regulatory and organisational requirements n Monitor operational controls, records and reporting n Support preparation for inspections, audits and internal quality reviews n Track actions arising from inspections, complaints, incidents or audits n Identify and escalate emerging operational, financial or compliance risks n Promote accountability and continuous improvement across the organisation n n Leadership and stakeholder support n n Coach Nursery Managers and Deputies in business management, staffing, planning and performance monitoring n Provide constructive challenge alongside practical support n Help managers establish effective routines around objectives, action planning and accountability n Work collaboratively with finance, people, quality, safeguarding, curriculum and estates teams n Prepare performance reports, insight and recommendations for senior leaders n Support wider organisational projects and service-development initiatives n Facilitate briefings, workshops and one-to-one support where required n n About you n To be considered, you should have: n n A strong early years background, ideally as a Nursery Manager, Area Manager or similar n A thorough understanding of the EYFS, safeguarding and regulatory requirements n Commercial experience covering budgets, occupancy, staffing and nursery performance n Knowledge of early years funding, including funded entitlement hours, Early Years Pupil Premium and Disability Access Fund n Experience analysing operational and financial data n The ability to identify risks, trends and opportunities and develop practical solutions n Experience supporting multiple settings or influencing leadership teams n Strong organisational skills and attention to detail n Confidence communicating complex information clearly to different audiences n The ability to manage competing priorities and make sound decisions in challenging situations n A professional, resilient and solutions-focused approach n A full UK driving licence and willingness to travel regularly n n The successful candidate will combine commercial awareness and analytical ability with a genuine understanding of
…