Job Description

Join Our Supportive Team of Passionate Early Childhood Educators!

Are you a ECE kaiako with leadership and mentoring experience, looking for an inspiring and supportive workplace?

Te Whiwhinga mahi | The opportunity

We’re looking for a passionate and committed Assistant Centre Leader to join our team at Te Ako o te Tui, located in the heart of the University of Auckland’s Grafton Campus. Our centre is grounded in a strong sense of identity, place, and purpose.

We offer a thriving learning environment for our diverse University community, where relationships are at the heart of everything we do. With exceptional teacher-child ratios, a thoughtfully designed space, and a commitment to high-quality, intentional teaching, we create an environment where both tamariki and kaiako thrive.

Alongside a supportive team culture, we offer a range of staff benefits, including above full pay parity, making this an exciting opportunity to grow your career within a progressive and well-resourced service.

In this role, you’ll help ensure the smooth day to day operation of the centre while supporting the growth and development of kaiako. You’ll lead by example, using a collaborative and hands-on approach to deliver high-quality learning experiences and ensure our practices remain consistent, meaningful, and compliant.

Our purpose‑built, well‑established early childhood centre is licensed for 90 tamariki aged 3 months to 6 years. The role is primarily based in our over‑2s setting, with flexibility to support across all age groups as required.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Room Routines & Operations: Support consistent, high-quality daily routines, ensuring environments are safe, inclusive, well-resourced, and engaging for tamariki. Monitor supervision, ratios, and transitions to support wellbeing and continuity of care.
• Curriculum Design & Service Delivery: Contribute to the design, delivery, and evaluation of a high‑quality curriculum. Use a strong understanding of tamariki development and evaluative practice to support learning, engagement and wellbeing.
• Team Capability & Practice Development: Mentor, coach, and guide kaiako to build capability, share knowledge, and strengthen teaching practice across the centre.
• Leadership, Culture & Operational Management: Foster a positive, collaborative team culture by supporting consistent standards, encouraging innovation, and engaging in continuous improvement. Assist the Centre Leader | Kaiwhakahaere with delegated responsibilities and day‑to‑day operations.
• Whānau & Community Engagement: Build strong, trusting relationships with whānau and stakeholders, responding to feedback professionally and supporting meaningful partnerships.
• Compliance & Documentation: Ensure documentation and operational records are accurate, up to date, and aligned with regulations, policies, and the centre philosophy.

This is a permanent, full-time position (40 hours per week), working on a rostered shift pattern that rotates fortnightly.

A full description of the role is available in the position description HERE

He kōrero mōu | About you

You are an enthusiastic and reflective Assistant Centre Leader who brings both heart and intention to your practice. You are passionate about creating meaningful learning experiences, valuing relationships, responsiveness, and intentional teaching.

You confidently support and guide a team, providing coaching and leadership to grow capability and strengthen practice. You are committed to ongoing learning and encourage others to do the same.

You value diversity and inclusion, fostering an environment where all kaiako, tamariki, and whānau feel a strong sense of belonging.

You have a solid understanding of pedagogical practice, including Te Whāriki, and are confident supporting planning, assessment, and compliance requirements.

Most importantly, you take pride in your practice, lead by example, contribute positively to team culture, and are committed to making a meaningful difference in the lives of tamariki.

E rapua ana mātou | We are seeking

• Qualifications & Certification: A Level 7 B.Ed or Diploma in Teaching (ECE or Primary) with full teacher certification. Current First Aid and recent Child Protection training preferred.
• Teaching & Curriculum Experience: At least four years’ teaching experience, including planning, assessment, and curriculum design for individuals and groups of tamariki, able to demonstrate leading high-quality evaluation practices.
• Leadership & Operational Experience: Experience in a room leader or assistant leader role, supporting team performance, managing routines, and contributing to centre operations.
• Systems, Documentation & Compliance: Strong organisational skills with experience maintaining accurate records and meeting requirements across health and safety, risk management, and regulatory compliance.
• Communication & Relationship Management: Proven ability to build positive relationships with whānau and colleagues, with strong written and verbal communication skills and a respectful, professional approach.
• Professional Capability & Attributes: Sound knowledge of Te Whāriki in practice, strong interpersonal skills, resilience, and a proactive, reflective approach to leadership, continuous improvement, and team support.

Ngā āhuatanga kei a mātou | What we offer

Waipapa Taumata Rau | The University of Auckland is New Zealand’s leading university, guided by a commitment to excellence and service to our communities. With more than 6,000 academic and professional staff, we support a diverse community of over 47,000 students.

Guided by our values, we work collaboratively to advance knowledge, foster equity and inclusion, and contribute meaningfully to New Zealand’s social, cultural, and economic wellbeing.

We cultivate an environment that supports your growth and rewards excellence with a range of staff benefits, including:

• Above Full Pay parity (see our pay structure HERE)
• Competitive salary and five weeks of annual leave
• Discounted public transport for permanent staff
• Superannuation/KiwiSaver, matching up to 6.75%
• Two paid professional development teacher-only days per year
• Leading and inclusive parental leave provisions
• Career development opportunities and a range of benefits, including discounted; parking, childcare, health insurance, memberships, and on‑site amenities

Me pēhea te tuku tono | How to apply

Please submit your application online by the closing date of Tuesday, 9 June 2026. Your application should include:

• A brief Cover Letter explaining why you're interested in this role and how your skills match the requirements
• Your updated CV

Please note that we do not accept email applications.

For a confidential discussion, you are welcome to contact Indira Boppana (Centre Leader) via [email protected]

 #LI-DNI

Additional Information

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Equity

The University is committed to meeting its obligations under the Treaty of Waitangi and achieving equity outcomes for staff and students in a safe, inclusive, and equitable environment. For further information on services for Māori, Pacific, women, LGBTQIATakatāpuiMVPFAFF+, people with disabilities, parenting support, flexible work and other personal circumstances go to www.equity.auckland.ac.nz