Area Support Director

Job Title: Area Support Director

Contract Type: Full-Time, Permanent

Location: Regional - travel required across multiple centres covering South West.

Reports to: Divisional Director

Busy Bees is the UK's leading nursery group, with nearly 400 nurseries across the UK and more overseas. We are dedicated to giving every child the best start in life and are proud to have won awards for our workplace culture. At Busy Bees, we ensure that every member of our team feels heard, valued, and nurtured.

We are looking for an experienced, adaptable, and passionate leader to join Busy Bees as an Area Support Director.

In this role, you will provide essential operational cover and improvement support for multiple centres, stepping in when additional leadership is needed. This is a highly impactful role, ensuring that all Busy Bees centres deliver the very best outcomes for children and families.

• Ongoing professional development and career progression
• Our 'Hive' benefits and wellbeing hub, with discounts across a huge range of retailers
• Up to 28 days holiday per year (including bank holidays)
• Your birthday off - it's our gift to you!
• 50% childcare discount
• Enhanced family leave and return to work bonus
• Menopause support through Peppy
• Financial support through Salary Finance
• Employee Assistance Programme and Mental Health First Aiders
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Easy access to your workplace pension through Cushon
• Discounted Private Medical Insurance (PMI)
• Benefits and Wellbeing platform, Hive - offering huge array of retail discounts helping your money to go further, along with a Wellbeing Hub featuring resources to support your physical and mental health. A Celebrating You section showcasing the ways we recognise and reward our valued team members. Plus, a dedicated Grow with Us area sharing the exciting development opportunities and training designed to support you to thrive and grow at Busy Bees.

You will work closely with Centre Directors and Area Directors to:

• Support centres requiring improvement or undergoing change.
• Maintain high-quality childcare, safeguarding, and early years education.
• Drive performance and consistency across multiple settings.
• Provide interim leadership cover during absences.
• Mentor and coach Centre Directors to build confident, capable leadership teams.

We are looking for a leader with:

• Early Years Qualification: Level 3 (minimum); higher qualifications desirable.
• Experience: At least 4 years in a senior leadership or managerial role within early years/childcare.
• Proven track record in improving performance, managing teams, and raising standards.
• Coaching and mentoring skills to support Centre Directors and their teams.
• Excellent communication skills to build strong relationships with staff and parents.
• Problem-solving and change management skills to navigate challenges with confidence.

Personal Attributes:

• Passionate about early childhood education.
• Reliable, adaptable, and proactive.
• Inspiring leader with empathy, integrity, and resilience.

Other Requirements:

• Flexibility to travel across centres in your area.
• Able to work occasional early mornings/evenings.
• Must pass an enhanced DBS (or equivalent) background check.