Area Manager

Ark Start is seeking an Area Manager to lead a group of nurseries, champion high-quality early years practice, and help shape the future of our growing nursery network. This is a rewarding leadership role for someone who combines strategic thinking with hands-on support and is committed to achieving outstanding outcomes for children, families, and staff.

As an Area Manager, you will provide leadership and operational oversight across a region of Ark Start nurseries, supporting Nursery Managers to deliver exceptional care and education. You will build strong relationships with leaders and teams, identifying opportunities for growth and improvement while ensuring the highest standards of safeguarding, compliance, and educational provision.

You will also take ownership of a specialist area of expertise, such as assessment, curriculum, or staff training and development, leading innovation and continuous improvement across the wider organisation.

The successful candidate will play a key role in creating a culture where colleagues thrive, children flourish, and families feel valued and supported.

• You will predominantly be based across our North London nurseries but will need to visit other London nurseries and attend meetings at our office in White City from time to time
• 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays, rising with each year of service up to 30 days after 3-years’ service. This entitlement is pro rata for part time employees. This entitlement excludes bank holidays
• Full office closure between Christmas and New Year
• As an Ark employee, you will have the opportunity to be part of the TPT (The Pension Trust) scheme, our workplace pension scheme where we make an 11% contribution; you are not required to contribute towards this scheme unless you choose to.
• Access to high-quality professional learning throughout your career, offering both face-to-face sessions and a bespoke online learning platform
• Access to Ark Rewards scheme offering savings from over 3,000 major retailers, interest-free loans available for season tickets or a bike, gym discounts offering up to 40% off your local gym and free eye test.

Our dedicated team work together to ensure that every child has a joyful, engaging, and secure nursery experience and leaves us ready to start school happily and confidently. We are driven by our values in everything we do: Aim High, Be Brave, Be Kind and Keep Learning.

This is an exciting time to join Ark Start. With 7 nurseries across London and ambitious plans for growth, we are expanding our team and looking for a passionate Area Manager to help shape the future of our organisation you will have the opportunity to make a real impact, working in a supportive and ambitious environment where children, families, and colleagues can flourish.

Diversity and inclusion:

We aim to build a diverse and inclusive organisation where everyone – staff and students – can do their best work and achieve their full potential. We want to reflect and represent diverse perspectives across our organisation because we know that doing so will make us stronger and more effective. To know more about Ark’s diversity and inclusion commitments, please click on this link.

Safeguarding statement:

Ark is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people in its academies. In order to meet this responsibility, its academies follow a rigorous selection process to discourage and screen out unsuitable applicants.

Ark requires all employees to undertake an enhanced DBS check. You are required, before appointment, to disclose any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975. Non-disclosure may lead to termination of employment. However, disclosure of a criminal background will not necessarily debar you from employment - this will depend upon the nature of the offence(s) and when they occurred. To read more about Ark’s safer recruitment process, please click this link.

Please note we will be reviewing applications on an on-going basis and this role may close earlier than advertised depending on the level of response. We strongly encourage to submit your application at your earliest convenience. 

If you would like to hear more about this role or about Ark Start, please contact [email protected].