We are poised for change – are you?

The Catholic Diocese of Wagga Wagga is located within Wiradjuri country in the Riverina and Yorta Yorta country in the southwestern district of New South Wales. The Diocese covers a large part of rural NSW.

Bishop Mark Edwards OMI PhD was appointed Bishop of Wagga Wagga and installed on 22 July 2020.

Catholic Education, Diocese of Wagga Wagga (CEDWW) serves twenty-five primary schools and five secondary colleges. There are two Boarding facilities for students. This System of schools has around 8,500 students and employs about 1600 staff.

CEDWW comprises 60 – 70 Office based staff located in two areas of the diocese: the main office in Wagga Wagga and another office in Albury. Their role is to be a service organisation for schools.

Governance

The Bishop established the Diocese of Wagga Wagga Catholic Education Council (CEC) on September 8 2020. The CEC has been established to assist the Bishop fulfil his role, responsibilities and mission regarding the ministry of Catholic education. The role of the CEC is to steward the mission of Catholic education with authority to make decisions and in stipulated areas, provide advice and recommendations to the Bishop of Wagga Wagga to ensure confidence and transparency in providing the best possible Catholic education for students. The Director of Catholic Education is an ex-officio member of the Council and is the Executive Officer of the Council.

Living in Wagga Wagga

Wagga Wagga is the largest inland city in New South Wales and is well connected by air, rail or road. With a population of over 64,000; Wagga Wagga has a proud sporting history and a strong cultural and artistic community.

The hub of the Riverina, Wagga Wagga is vibrant, cosmopolitan and welcoming; there is great natural beauty, period architecture, great shopping and affordable housing. Located mid-way between Sydney and Melbourne and only 2.5 road hours to Canberra, Wagga Wagga has become a natural transport hub for regional NSW.

Wagga Wagga’s current health service redevelopment is the largest single investment in any NSW regional health service. This work highlights the current scale and future needs of a growing city.

Further Information

Additional details on the Diocese and Catholic Education, including crucial information such as Vision and Mission, can be viewed by visiting:

The Diocese –   https://www.wagga.catholic.org.au/Our-Bishop.aspx

Catholic Education in the Diocese –  https://ww.catholic.edu.au/

Position Overview

Position Title: Director of Catholic Education, Diocese of Wagga Wagga

Reports to: The Director is ultimately accountable to Bishop Edwards OMI. Primary and operational accountability is enacted through the Catholic Education Council (CEC).

Position Summary

The Director of Catholic Education provides inspirational mission-focused and strategic leadership at the symbolic, religious, educational and organisational levels for the Diocesan System of Primary and Secondary Schools within the Diocese of Wagga Wagga.

The Director works in close cooperation with the CEC and is accountable to the Bishop through the CEC to articulate and lead the development of the Diocesan Vision and Mission of Catholic schools, including the development of the educational vision of schooling.

Detailed information, including the Position Specification, an organisation chart and the Towards 2022 strategic plan, will be provided as we progress through this recruitment process.

Commencement

It is anticipated the successful applicant will be able to commence this appointment in January 2022; or earlier by negotiation.

Location and Travel

This role will be based within the Catholic Schools Office located in McAlroy House, 205 Tarcutta Street, Wagga Wagga.

Given the geographic spread of the Diocese combined with the need for the Director to be visible in schools as well as involved in wider forums (for example NSW Directors & CSNSW Ltd meetings in Sydney), regular travel is required.

Conditions of Employment

• The remuneration package for this role is in accordance with the scale as agreed by the NSW/ACT Bishops and will be discussed as we progress through this process. The package will include:
  • Salary: salary packaging is available.
  • Motor vehicle: a fully maintained vehicle for business and personal use.
  • Superannuation: 9.5%
• Relocation support will be provided for the successful applicant, if required.
• The successful applicant will possess a current, approved Working With Children Check and complete a successful National Criminal History Check.
• Accreditation to Work, Teach and Lead in Catholic Education in the Diocese of Wagga Wagga.
• The initial contract period is five years. The Director is required to engage in an external Formative Performance Appraisal in the 3rd year of the Contract with an external Summative Performance Appraisal at the beginning of the 5th year of the 5-year Contract.

Selection Criteria

Our Bishop is inviting expressions of interest from people who align with the following criteria:

• A deep personal commitment to God and the Catholic faith expressed in a love of the Church through active participation in a Parish community.
• Faith inspired and mission-oriented leadership. An informed vision for evangelisation of young people, families and staff in Catholic education as integral to the broader mission of the Diocese of Wagga Wagga.
• Deep knowledge about how to achieve and resolute commitment to developing schools that are safe and nurturing of the wellbeing, equity and excellence in learning for all.
• Ability to establish a culture of excellence for staff and students alike.
• A drive for high academic expectations for all students based on high quality learning and teaching informed by research.
• Strong strategic and adaptive leadership capacity informed by an understanding and analysis of the changing cultural, social and political context in which the Church’s mission of Catholic education is engaged.
• Professional credibility and experience in leadership in Catholic education, including principal leadership or a senior executive role with transferable skills.
• Post-graduate qualifications (qualifications in theology or religious education are highly desirable).
• Demonstrated administrative and interpersonal skills enabling the transformational leadership of system and school-based teams and budgets focused on excellent Catholic school learning communities.
• A style of leadership, communication and decision-making that is relational, collaborative, respectful, transparent and built on trust, committed to broad consultation and engagement of school leaders and Office based staff, school council leaders, parish priests, other church leaders, state education bodies, as well as civic, state and federal government leaders.
• Personal attributes and competencies include being hope-filled, prayerful, resilient, joyful and courageous in the complexity of a change of era.

The position calls for a faith-filled, experienced leader with credibility in education and highly developed strategic and transformation skills responsive to a changing environment.  The role requires the business acumen to lead a team of around 70 and successfully manage a budget of approximately $200 million.

Are You Interested in This Opportunity?

If you are interested in this role, simply complete the ‘Express Your Interest’ panel on this page; or email jobs@traksearch.com quoting ref number TS1450. Whichever you choose, please provide a brief resume and contact telephone number (mobile preferred).

If you are NOT interested in this role but would like to be advised of future leadership positions, click here to register for our job alerts.

Questions can be directed to either (a) Director John Chesher (0417 068 220) or (b) email to jobs@traksearch.com.

The timeline and details for this project are outlined below. All emails and applications are acknowledged within 48 hours.

The Selection Process

Key dates as follows:

Trak Search has been instructed to provide a process that is welcoming for people interested in this role. Significant aspects include:

• Throughout the process, Trak Search is available for your confidential enquiries. They will also provide a range of additional information to allow you to explore how this opportunity aligns with your expectations and interests.
• Closing is 5.00pm on the date shown above. However, a late application could be accepted, providing it does not adversely impact other applications or the CEDWW schedule.
• We expect to contact one work-related referee and a Catholic Priest referee prior to shortlisting, with additional references completed later in the process.
• All information provided to Trak Search will be made available prior to shortlisting, in confidence, to the Bishop, CEC Chair or nominees unless you instruct Trak Search otherwise.
• If you would like a more comprehensive understanding of the Trak Search process, click here to access the ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.

You are also encouraged to view our Collection Statement which provides details on the manner in which we collect and use information obtained from you during your engagement with Trak Search.