Head of Catholic Identity – Brisbane Catholic Education

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 Catholic Identity, Safeguarding, Company Secretary, Assurance and Legal Counsel, all functions reporting directly to the Executive Director; and three service areas:

• Learning Services
• Strategy and Performance
• Corporate Services

Catholic Identity

The Catholic Identity function, reporting directly to the Executive Director, is key to delivering one of BCE’s core strategic priorities – strengthening Catholic identity within each school and office community. It is responsible for nurturing and maintaining the Catholic ethos across BCE and schools and embedding Catholic identity and culture throughout the organisation.

This function supports schools and BCEO to create authentic Christian communities through celebrating Catholic culture, articulating a Catholic worldview in a contemporary, secular context shaped by increasing levels of disruption and ambiguity, while also providing stewardship and services in relation to mission and spiritual formation.

Further Information

Additional information can be viewed by visiting the BCE website located at  https://www.bne.catholic.edu.au/ . You can also visit the BCE YouTube channel to view an array of material.

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Position Overview

Position Title: Head of Catholic Identity

Reports to: Executive Director

Position Purpose

The Head of Catholic Identity reports to the Executive Director and is a member of Brisbane Catholic Education’s Executive and Leadership Team. The role holder has delegated responsibility for:

• driving one of BCE’s core strategic pillars, embedding strong Catholic identity within each BCE school and office community.
• ensuring that a contemporary Catholic worldview is identifiable in the formation of staff and students.
• fostering alignment of Catholic culture, identity and values with excellent learning and teaching through close collaboration with Learning and Teaching Services, particularly Religious Education.
• providing direction and leading functional policy and process development and evaluation.
• providing leadership that influences, motivates, and inspires individuals and teams to embrace BCE’s strong Catholic Identity strategy.

At a later stage in this project, you will be provided a full position description; and briefed on the success criteria for the first 12 months in the role.

Key Relationships

The role manages a team of 11 people. The very nature of the role combined with the collaborative work setting means the Head of Catholic Identity is involved with staff throughout BCE and the Archdiocese.

An organisation chart will be provided at a later stage in this project.

Reason for Vacancy

After 44 years of service to Catholic Education and 33 years with BCE, Alain Pitot is retiring from this position.

Commencement

The commencement date is negotiable, although the appointee would benefit by being available in January 2023 to assist in the smooth transition of leadership.

Location

The BCE Office is located at 2 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.
• Some travel should be anticipated including, for example, travel overseas in support of Pilgrimages.
• Reasonable relocation assistance (if required) will be negotiated with the successful applicant.
• A current Drivers Licence is required to fulfil the requirements of the role.
• A Criminal History Check will be undertaken.
• Paid Employee Positive Notice Blue Card.

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 contemporary understanding of theology and deep appreciation of Church beliefs and teachings.
• A career within the Catholic Church, including within Catholic education, with senior leadership experience. This experience will be evidenced by:
  • providing direction and fostering a shared depth of understanding and purposeful action in relation to Catholic identity, including mission and formation;
  • supporting the life of the Church, including in a professional context;
  • leading, energising and empowering teams;
  • delivering engaging presentations, research findings and key messaging to large groups, key stakeholders, and significant influencers.
• The capacity to build and maintain effective, collaborative relationships.
• Models and fosters a commitment to the safeguarding of children and promotes a culture where student protection is the responsibility of everyone.
• Qualifications, (post-graduate degree preferred), in theology or a relevant field such as biblical studies, Church history, or studies of religion. Additional qualifications in education are highly desirable.

Catholic Church and Catholic school leaders, people with experience in higher education, adult faith formation or Catholic theological scholarship are encouraged to express an interest in this system leadership role.

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 TS1495. 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:

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 complete a work-related reference; and a faith-based reference with a Catholic priest; both prior to shortlisting. We anticipate speaking with another work-related referee between shortlisting and interviews; with final references completed in the final stages of the process. 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 National Police Check; and verification of academic qualifications and professional association memberships.
• 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.
• For more information on our process click here to access the ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.
• Only people with the unrestricted right to work in Australia may apply for this role.
• Please note: people are contacted and discussions commence soon after applications are received. We do not wait until close date. There are advantages in applying immediately.

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.