Unit Manager

Are you a curious, confident and clear leader who is passionate about the kindergarten's societal mission?

At Nardosletta kindergartens there is a vacant position as unit manager.

Nardosletta kindergartens consist of Vestlia kindergarten and Jotunheimen kindergarten, with a total capacity of 120 kindergarten places distributed across eight child groups of varying size and age composition. The unit has a total of 33 employees and an administration consisting of a unit manager, a department manager in a 100 percent position and an administrative employee in a 50 percent position.  

The kindergarten's pedagogical work is inspired by the basic ideas in the Reggio Emilia philosophy with its unique view of humanity and value base. As active participants in various networks, the interaction between children, the physical environment and the pedagogy is explored. Through continuous reflection, dialogue and guidance, conscious choices are made. The unit works for an inclusive learning environment built on community, where the children are listened to and are given influence in play and activities that stimulate their interests, curiosity and creativity.

The theme plan SteinSaksPapir sets guidelines for how we in the upbringing area together shall create everyday life characterized by mastery, security and inclusion for all children and families in our city. All employees and leaders shall work in accordance with the theme plan's knowledge base and principles. 

Responsibilities

Leaders are committed to established, general leadership requirements and are included in an annual assignment with the municipal head.
The unit manager reports to the municipal head of kindergarten.

The position as unit manager entails great responsibility and requires independence and contribution to the development of the kindergarten offering in Trondheim. There are good opportunities for professional and personal development. Many tasks are solved together with others, in the management team and together with other professional environments.

Trondheim municipality wants unit managers who have knowledge and skills in:

• Administration, financial management and performance control
  
• Interdisciplinary cooperation on children's upbringing and development
  
• Organizational and quality development
  
• Strategic leadership
  
• Process leadership
  
• Personnel management and working environment development
  
• Active contributor in the cooperation between parties
  
• Systematic health, environment and safety work

Qualifications

• Kindergarten teacher education or other university college education that provides kindergarten professional and pedagogical competence
  
• Leadership experience is necessary, and leadership education is desirable
  
• Desirable to have mentoring competence
  
• Desirable to have process leadership competence

Personal qualities

Trondheim municipality works according to the values open, courageous and competent. 

You are ambitious on behalf of children, and as a leader with us you get a key role in the work of making Trondheim a good place to grow up for all children. You are therefore driven by the desire that all children and young people in Trondheim shall experience security and mastery so that as adults they can participate actively in working and social life and make good choices for themselves and others. 

You have the will and ability to be the pedagogical and administrative leader for children and staff. You are a courageous and development-oriented team player who dares to think anew together with others to develop a culture that makes all children experience mastery, security and belonging. As a leader you know how to influence the employees' practice and you work for a kindergarten offering of high quality. You motivate employees and develop a culture where everyone works together towards common goals.

You inspire and have good cooperation skills across disciplines. You manage to stand in demanding situations. To succeed you are structured and curious. You have a high work capacity, good communication skills and a desire to learn from and together with others.

The person appointed will be background checked and assessed for their security suitability for the position. Read more about the municipality's work with personnel security here.

We offer

• Professional community
  
• Influence in strategic discussions and service development.
  
• Introduction program for newly employed and opportunity to participate in competence gatherings organized by Lederløftet - Trondheim municipality's comprehensive leadership development program. 
  
• Participation in district-based leadership networks.
  
• Leadership support from the kindergarten business area, internal services and multidisciplinary teams.
  
• Close cooperation with the municipality's other services for children and young people.
  
• Great independence and scope for action.
  
• Opportunity to contribute to the development of future kindergarten services for Trondheim's residents
  
• We offer salary based on central collective agreement pay and Trondheim municipality's local salary policy with career ladders and local salary models. Salary is agreed based on your competence, experience and the position's responsibility.

Contact information

Helene Berntsen Svensson, Municipal Head of Kindergarten, 91175031
Elin Ødegård, Assistant Municipal Head of Kindergarten, 99443809
Paal Terje Wiig, Senior Adviser leader recruitment, +47 95828731

Workplace

Bjarne Ness' veg 31
7033 Trondheim

Key information:

Employer: Trondheim municipality

Reference no.: 5185104870
Position percentage: 100%
Permanent
Application deadline: 18.10.2026