Brisbane Catholic Education (BCE) is committed to high quality teaching and learning for more than 77,000 young people enrolled in our schools and colleges from Prep to Year 12. Our community of 146 schools is centred on Christ and our mission is to teach, challenge and transform through our service, support, and leadership for Catholic education in the Archdiocese of Brisbane.
The Brisbane Catholic Education Strategic Plan 2021 – 2025 sets out the priorities, strategies and key performance indicators that focus efforts to achieve our vision. This vision for the future is that of a faith filled learning community creating a better future.
Brisbane Catholic Education inspires students who are engaged, successful learners who are hope-filled and positively contribute to our world through the strategic priorities of: Catholic Identity; Learning and Teaching; Wellbeing; Our People; and Diversity and Inclusion.
Brisbane Catholic Education Office
The Brisbane Catholic Education Office (BCEO) operates on the principles of subsidiarity, shared wisdom, and collaboration. BCEO is comprised of three service areas:
- Learning Services
- Strategy and Performance
- Corporate Services
as well as areas (Catholic Identity and Legal Counsel) that directly report to the Executive Director.
Learning Services
Learning Services is comprised of three functions:
- Learning and Teaching Services
- School Progress and Performance
- Information Technology Services.
Learning Services is responsible for leading and managing policy development, strategic directions, resourcing and specialist professional support for learning and teaching services, including Religious Education, within and across schools. To support contemporary delivery of excellent learning and teaching, it is also responsible for provision of Information Technology services and solutions including services and solutions that enable schools and BCEO to teach, challenge and transform.
The Learning Services functions are focussed on building capacity across all areas of school life and ensuring effective coordination of BCEO services to schools.
Further Information
Additional information can be viewed by visiting the BCE website located at https://www.bne.catholic.edu.au/aboutus . You can also visit the BCE YouTube channel to view an array of material.
Position Overview
Position Title: Deputy Executive Director – Learning Services
Reports to: Executive Director
Position Purpose
This position reports to the Executive Director, as a member of Brisbane Catholic Education’s Executive Team, and has overall accountability for delivery of Brisbane Catholic Education’s strategic priority of delivering excellent learning and teaching to BCE schools, while working collaboratively with Strategy and Performance and Corporate Services.
In addition, this position will also perform the senior role of Deputy Executive Director to provide additional support, senior executive representation of BCE and relief to the Executive Director who may delegate critical activities and functions as necessary.
The role provides executive direction and leadership and holds accountability and responsibility for:
- the strategic alignment and integration of all current and emerging programs and operations across the whole of BCEO in its service delivery to schools.
- the monitoring, review and where required, implementation of national, state curriculum and diocesan syllabi, ensuring alignment with the Australian Curriculum Framework.
- setting the strategic direction for BCE’s Information Technology, given its critical role in enabling the delivery of excellent learning and teaching.
- policies and processes across Learning Services
At a later stage in this project, you will be provided a full position description; and the success criteria for the first 12 months in the role.
Key Relationships
This role is a member of the BCE Executive Team. There are over 230 people (excluding a team of IT contractors) within the three functions comprising Learning Services.
In addition to the Executive Director and BCEO staff, key relationships will include:
- BCE Principals and schools
- the Principal associations
- Archdiocesan clergy, Deacons and episcopal offices; and other Archdiocesan agencies.
- Education leaders in the other four Queensland diocese.
An organisation chart will be provided at a later stage in this project.
Reason for Vacancy
After 7 years of outstanding service, Dr Doug Ashleigh will be resigning from BCE in September this year. With his family located in the southern states Doug has given serious consideration to his decision and believes now is the right time for him to move on from BCE.
Commencement
The commencement date is negotiable, although it is anticipated the latest date would be January 2023. The appointee would benefit by being available during term 4 to assist in the smooth transition of leadership.
Location
The BCE Office is located at 2A Burke Street, Woolloongabba. The nature of the role may require the person to work at other approved BCE office locations.
Conditions of Employment
- The remuneration package reflects the seniority of this appointment and will be negotiated with the successful applicant.
- The initial contract period is for five (5) years, with further contract periods subject to Appraisal according to BCE policy. There is a six-month probation period.
- Reasonable relocation assistance (if required) will be negotiated with the successful applicant.
- Applicants will require a current Drivers Licence to fulfil the requirements of the role.
- Prior to appointment the successful applicant will possess a current, approved Working With Children Check and complete a successful National Criminal History Check.
Selection Criteria
We invite expressions of interest from people who align with the following:
- A committed practising Catholic with a deep understanding of the purpose and mission of the Catholic Church and Catholic schools.
- A career immersed in Catholic education with senior leadership experience. This experience will be evidenced by:
- leading the implementation of learning and teaching strategies;
- knowledge of contemporary evidence-based practices in learning and teaching;
- driving system performance and student outcomes;
- strategic thinking and planning skills;
- leading, energising and empowering teams;
- knowledge of the policy landscape, industry standards, compliance requirements and legislation;
- ideally combining system-level and school leadership experience.
- The capacity to build and maintain effective, collaborative and cohesive relationships within and beyond their areas of responsibility.
- Ability to communicate and present information clearly, accurately, logically, and concisely, both orally and in writing, to a diverse range of stakeholders.
- Models and fosters a commitment to the safeguarding of children and promotes a culture where student protection is the responsibility of everyone.
- Life-long learning through ongoing personal and professional inquiry; together with degree qualification in education with postgraduate study in education, educational leadership, religious education and/or theology.
Are You Interested?
If you are interested in this role, please use the ‘Express Your Interest’ panel on this webpage; or email jobs@traksearch.com quoting ref number TS1482. All we require at the outset is a resume, email address and mobile telephone number. No other documentation is required from you to express your interest. All emails and resumes are acknowledged within 48 hours. Please contact us again if this does not occur.
Questions can be directed to John Chesher (0417 068 220) or by email to jobs@traksearch.com
If you are NOT interested in this role but would like to be advised of future leadership positions, click here to register for our weekly email alerts.
The Selection Process
The timeline for this project is as follows:
Date of project launch/advertising | By Friday 15th July |
Latest date for applications | Wed. 3rd Aug. |
BCE selection committee short listing | During week commencing Mon 15th Aug. |
Anticipated date for BCE interviews | Weeks of Monday 22nd or 29th Aug. |
Follow up meeting/discussion | Likely within 7 days of client interviews |
We have been instructed to provide a process that is transparent and welcoming.
- We are available for your confidential enquiries. We will also provide additional information to allow you to explore how the role 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 BCE schedule.
- We expect to contact a work-related referee and a Faith-based reference with a Catholic priest prior to shortlisting. We anticipate speaking with another work-related referee between shortlisting and interviews; with final references completed for the preferred person(s) in the final stages. No referee will be contacted without your express consent.
- It is likely that people to be presented at shortlisting will be invited to complete on-line psychometric testing in advance of the shortlisting.
- The selection committee will provide an option of a video interview in circumstances where a person is unable to attend for a face-to-face meeting.
- Please be aware our standard practice utilises the services of an external specialist in pre-employment screening. This service includes employment history verification; National Police Check; and academic qualifications and professional membership verification.
- All information provided to Trak Search will be made available, in confidence, to the Executive Director, or her nominee, unless you instruct Trak Search otherwise.
- To obtain a more comprehensive understanding of the Trak Search methodology, including our screening process, click here to access the ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.
- Only people with the unrestricted right to work in Australia may apply for this role.
Trak Search is committed to working with client organisations in the safeguarding of children and young people. Applicants should be aware that in addition to the Working with Children and National Police History Checks required by our client, Trak Search screening processes, interview questions and reference checking will also reflect this commitment.
Trak Search strongly supports the principles of equal employment opportunities in the workplace. We support our clients in recruiting a diverse range of people and a diverse range of talents. We are committed to adapting our recruitment processes to accommodate neurodiverse candidates; or people with different physical abilities.
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.