We’re looking for an experienced Service Manager to lead our Thornlands service, currently known as Happy Tots.

This is a large, well-established 154-place service entering an exciting new chapter as it transitions into the Story House Early Learning network.

The service includes a dedicated wing for Before and After School Care, creating a unique environment where early learning and school-age programs operate side by side.

This role offers the opportunity to guide the service through its next chapter, bringing together an existing team, established families and a refreshed vision for the future.

You’ll lead a team delivering our STRONG Beginnings curriculum, our organisational framework guiding consistent, high-quality practice across every Story House service.

And through our partnership with the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation, children experience food education in a hands-on way learning how to grow, prepare and respect what they eat.

What you'll get

🧩 Above-award salary
🧩 Leadership bonus program
🧩 75% staff childcare discount*
🧩 Free First Aid, CPR and Flu Vaccinations
🧩 Access to Sonder – 24/7 wellbeing support
🧩 YOUR PAY YOUR WAY – access same-day pay with Humanforce Thrive
🧩 SHEL-endar professional development with Education Specialists
🧩 Manager networking forums
🧩 A large, experienced team already in place
🧩 A Support Office that genuinely supports you

And most importantly you won’t be doing this alone.

Finance, People & Culture, Compliance and Pedagogy teams are there when you need them.

The role

Yes, you’ll manage budgets.
Yes, you’ll oversee compliance.
Yes, you’ll drive performance and occupancy.

But more than that, you’ll lead culture.

You’ll protect child safety.
You’ll support educator growth.
You’ll guide the service through its rebrand and help shape what this next chapter looks like.

Most Service Manager roles look similar on paper.

The difference? The organisation behind you.

At Story House, child safety is non-negotiable.
Quality practice is expected.
And leadership is supported, not isolated.

If you’re ready to lead a well-established service in Thornlands, guide it through its Story House rebrand and shape its next chapter, we’d love to meet you.

Story House Early Learning is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment, providing mutual respect for all employees.

At Story House, we prioritise the safety and wellbeing of our community, which is why we are committed to the Child Safe Standards and have Safety as one of our values.

All final applicants for this position will be asked to consent to a criminal record check. Please note that people with criminal records are not automatically barred from applying for this position. Each application will be considered on its merits.

We look forward to meeting you.

*CCS eligible care