Job Description: New Site and Expansions Manager
Reporting To: CFO
Line Management Responsibility:
• Greenfield Opportunities – new developments or property purchase and re-fit
• Nursery Expansion oversight
Purpose of the Role
The New Site and Expansions Manager will lead on all Greenfield opportunities and nursery expansions, managing the full process end to end, including, but not limited to:
- Relationships with Developers, Investors, Contractors, etc.
- Project Management of all stages of the developments, including timelines
- Co-ordination of business resources to ensure a seamless delivery – Maintenance, Operations, Finance, Early Years, Compliance, etc
- Co-ordination of external resources as necessary – Ofsted, Legal, Tax, Planning, etc
This role has been established to support the Group’s strategy to enhance the volume of Greenfield sites, and meet the increasing demand for places at busy nurseries. The role will require close collaboration across numerous internal and external teams to ensure timely and smooth delivery of multiple projects.
Key Responsibilities:
Project & Site Development Management
• Manage the full lifecycle of new-site developments: site acquisition or agreement, due diligence, planning, design, project scheduling, construction or acquisition, fit-out, snagging, final handover and opening.
• Oversee expansion projects on existing nurseries, working closely with Area Managers and Childcare Directors to deliver expansions in areas of need.
• Produce and maintain project plans / timelines, track milestones, highlight risks or delays, and report status to senior leadership.
• Liaise and coordinate with internal teams (Operations, Early Years, People Team, Compliance, Facilities, Finance, Marketing and IT) to ensure the new or expanded site is ready operationally.
• Work with external stakeholders: developers, contractors, architects / designers, local authorities (planning, building regulation), regulators, landlords / property owners, suppliers, Ofsted, and external consultants.
• Ensure all required statutory and regulatory compliance (e.g., local building regulations, health & safety, early-years regulations / standards).
Stakeholder Management
• As well as developing relationships with the teams and agencies set out above, build further relationships with external investors, developers or landlords to identify areas of opportunity.
Candidate Profile:
• Strong project / programme management experience — ideally in property development, construction / fit-out, or site rollout environments.
• Knowledge of the regulatory or licensing requirements associated with New Sites and Expansions
• Experience managing budgets, financial tracking, cost control and reporting.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills — ability to liaise with internal teams (ops, finance, HR, facilities) and external parties (contractors, developers, local authorities, regulatory bodies).
• Strong organisational, planning, and scheduling skills; ability to manage multiple projects concurrently and prioritise effectively.
• Good communication skills (written and verbal), and ability to produce reports for senior leadership / board.
• A pragmatic, solution-oriented approach; ability to navigate ambiguity, manage risk and adapt to changing circumstances.
• Understanding (or willingness to learn) of regulatory, health & safety and licensing requirements relevant to nurseries / early years — or ability to pick up compliance requirements quickly.
• Self-starter: able to work autonomously, take ownership, pro-actively push projects forward, and see them through to handover.
Why become a Greenfield and Expansions Manager with Kids Planet?
• A supportive, friendly team.
• Great Benefits Package
• Fast paced growing business with lots of scope for progression
• Great Place to Work Certified 2025/26
• Ranked #1 UK Best Workplaces for Women 2025
• Crowned NMT’s Large Nursery Group of the Year, for the second-year running
• 80% Childcare Discount – T&Cs apply.
What’s in it for you?
• Free breakfast, lunches and healthy snacks including fresh fruit.
• Accredited training with the KP Academy.
• Enhanced Maternity, Paternity Fertility and Adoption leave.
• Regular staff rewards.
• Team appreciation events.
• Long service awards.
• Dedicated wellbeing package.
• Highly discounted childcare.
• A day off for your birthday.
• Life Insurance cover and access to a health plan