Early Learning & Childcare Manager (Temporary) - REQ06858 - 491121

INTERNAL APPLICANTS MUST APPLY VIA MYSELF

This vacancy is internal and open to applications from employees of North Lanarkshire Council and Associated Employers* only. 

*Fusion Assets, NLP LLP, Routes to Work

Shape the Future of Early Learning and Childcare in North Lanarkshire

Are you an experienced leader with a passion for improving outcomes for children and families?

North Lanarkshire Council is seeking an innovative and strategic Early Learning & Childcare Manager (Operational Strategy & Resources) to play a key role in the continued transformation and delivery of our Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) Service.

This is a unique opportunity to lead strategic developments across one of Scotland's largest local authority ELC services, ensuring high-quality provision, compliance with national standards, effective resource management, and continuous improvement for children, families and communities.

About the Role

Reporting to the Senior Education & Families Manager, you will provide strategic and operational leadership across the Early Learning & Childcare Service. You will be responsible for driving service development, leading a team, managing resources effectively, and ensuring compliance with legislative and regulatory requirements.

You will:

• Lead and support transformational change across Early Learning & Childcare services.
• Manage and develop a team of administrative staff.
• Work collaboratively with the ELC (Educational Strategy & Improvement Team)
• Support strategic planning, service improvement and policy development.
• Oversee budget monitoring, procurement processes and resource planning.
• Work closely with schools, partners, funded providers, health services and families.
• Prepare reports, committee papers and responses for senior leaders, elected members and government stakeholders.
• Lead the development of systems and processes that improve service delivery and governance.
• Ensure compliance with Care Inspectorate, SSSC and other statutory requirements.
• Contribute to local and national policy implementation, including Scottish Government priorities for Early Learning and Childcare.

About You

We are looking for an experienced and forward-thinking leader who can combine strategic vision with strong operational management. 

You should have:

Essential Requirements

• Educated to Degree level or equivalent in a relevant discipline.
• Significant experience within a local authority context.
• Significant experience of leading and managing a team.
• Experience of financial planning, budget monitoring and achieving best value.
• Detailed knowledge of the Early Learning & Childcare sector, including current legislation and practice.
• Experience conducting analysis, research and service improvement activity.
• Excellent report writing, communication and stakeholder management skills.
• The ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver outcomes within challenging timescales.

Desirable Requirements

• Evidence of ongoing professional development with a leadership context
• Experience within a local authority setting.
• Experience working directly within an Early Learning & Childcare environment.
• Advanced ICT skills and experience supporting digital service improvement.
• A proven ability to influence senior leaders and key stakeholders

Join Us

If you are a strategic leader with the vision, expertise and commitment to help shape the future of Early Learning & Childcare in North Lanarkshire, we would love to hear from you.

Apply today and help us deliver the highest quality early learning experiences for our children and families.
 

35hrs per week – Hybrid Working (Civic Square, Motherwell Base & Homeworking)

This is a temporary contract until 25 June 2027.

Interviews for this post will take place on Wednesday 21 October 2026.

Working here at North Lanarkshire Council 

If you’re considering a career with us, you’ll be keen to know what’s in it for you.  We have a great package of benefits available, from health and wellbeing to finances and family.  This includes 27 days annual leave and 6 public holidays*, and a wide range of benefitsavailable to you,find out more at work well NL.We also have a full package of learning and development through our learning academy LearnNL to help you reach your full potential and further your career.  

For more information on local authority careers visit the myjobscotland career hub 

North Lanarkshire Council are Happy to Talk Flexible Working, we operate a Smarter Working Policy.  

Click here to see our Recruitment Charter. 

*For all casual/sessional roles, you will receive 12.1% of your hourly rate for every hour worked in total recompense for annual leave, including public holidays. These rates will be indicated separately on your payslip.  You will only be paid for the hours that you work.  

North Lanarkshire Council has reached its current allocation of Certificates of Sponsorship and, as a result, we are unable to provide visa sponsorship at this time.

We are a Disability Confident Leader and offer a guaranteed interview to applicants who consider themselves to be disabled, as long as they meet the essential criteria of the person specification/job description.  

We have also adopted the Armed Forces Community Covenant to show our support for service personnel, veterans and their families. We offer a guaranteed interview for service leavers, spouses, reservists and veterans, as long as they meet the essential criteria of the person specification/job description.  

North Lanarkshire Council is committed to #KeepingThePromise. This means that if you have ever been in care (looked after at home with a social worker, lived with a relative other than your parents, experienced foster, residential or secure care) you are entitled to a guaranteed interview for this post, as long as you meet the essential criteria of the person specification/job description. This is one way North Lanarkshire is demonstrating our commitment to supporting Care-Experienced People.  

The Plan for North Lanarkshire is to be the place to live, learn, work, invest and visit. The Council recognises that work is an important part of adult life and is critical to our wellbeing and shaping how we live. The Fair Work Convention’s Framework defines Fair Work as work that offers effective voice, fulfilment, opportunity, respect and security. We believe Fair Work can boost creativity, realise untapped potential and increase productivity. To find out more click on the link.  

Alternative Application Packs can be requested in other formats for example, Large Print, Braille, and Audio. To request an alternative Application Pack please phone . 

The following link contains our Easy Read documents which will help explain the process and what happens during the selection process: Easy Read – My NL  

***PLEASE NOTE WE DO NOT ACCEPT CVS IN PLACE OF THE APPLICATION FORM. TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS VACANCY YOU MUST ENSURE AN APPLICATION FORM IS SUBMITTED. ANY CV SUBMISSIONS WILL BE DISREGARDED.***