Catholic Education Diocese of Cairns (CEDC) is a dynamic and growing organisation that is actively inviting schools to co-create with us, schools that are places of rich learning for now and into the 22nd Century, focusing on providing an educational foundation for life to the full.
Our vision is to offer every student in every school a world class education enriched by their lived encounter with the Catholic Faith.
CEDC is committed to this vision through co-leadership with schools to build communities of faith and learning that provide a safe, nurturing and academically challenging environment. Our schools are places where we create opportunities for every student and every staff member so that they are inspired to contribute to our society, innovate, explore possibilities, and strive for excellence.
Our staff are supported to experience success and satisfaction in their vital role.
CEDC embraces thirty schools, including twenty primary schools, two prep to Year 12 colleges and eight secondary colleges. One of these colleges is a Special Assistance College with campuses in Cairns, Cooktown, and Edmonton. The CEDC community also includes Catholic Education Services located in central Cairns. Over the next five years there are two new schools planned to further enhance the provision of Catholic education in the Diocese of Cairns.
All schools and colleges, except three, are within a two-hour drive of Cairns. Cooktown, Waiben Island (Thursday Island) and Weipa are accessed by daily flights and located in some of the most beautiful parts of the country.
In total, Catholic Education in the Diocese of Cairns educates 12,100 students and engages 1,700 staff.
Leadership and strategic management of CEDC is the responsibility of the Executive Director of Catholic Education. Through a team of professionals, and in co-leadership with principals, the Executive Director leads and facilitates a number of significant delegations which include:
- Support of the mission of the Church as delivered through Catholic Education.
- Support schools by providing services that strengthen school capacity.
- Provision of leadership and forward planning to develop organisational capability.
- Distribution to schools of State and Commonwealth government funding and accountability for the appropriate use of these funds.
- Monitoring the quality of Catholic schooling and ensuring compliance and accountability in line with the expectations of governments, Church, and parents.
- Support Cairns Catholic Education Community’s commitment to being a culturally responsive organisation that embraces the heritage, knowledge and values of all First Nations peoples.
Living in Cairns
With a population of nearly 155,000, the Cairns region offers many lifestyle opportunities that can be found in few other places. It is surrounded by World Heritage listed sites including the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest, all within an hour’s journey from the growing City of Cairns.
It is the gateway to our Asian neighbours with direct flights to China, Japan and Singapore as well as having direct flights to all the east coast capital cities, Darwin, and Queensland’s Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast.
Further Information
Additional information can be viewed by visiting the CEDC website located at https://www.cns.catholic.edu.au
We acknowledge the First Nations peoples of Australia, the traditional custodians of the land, seas, skies and waterways on which we reside, work, travel and meet. We pay our respect to First Nations elders past, present, and emerging, and support the Uluru Statement From The Heart.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this website may contain images, voices or names of deceased persons in photographs, video or audio recordings.
Position Overview
Position Title: Executive Director – Catholic Education Diocese of Cairns
Reports to: Bishop of Cairns
Position Purpose
The position of Executive Director is a senior leadership role that witnesses to and imparts the Catholic faith and leads CEDC to achieve the objectives described in the Strategic Directions for Catholic schools in the Diocese of Cairns. In fulfilling this significant leadership role, the Executive Director will:
- demonstrate a strong sense of responsibility and accountability to the diocese, parishes, their school communities, fellow staff members, government and ultimately to the wider Church for what is undertaken, how it is undertaken, and the outcomes achieved.
- provide religious and educational leadership and service which is faithful to the ethos of Catholic education within the Diocese of Cairns under the leadership of the Bishop.
At a later stage in this project, you will be provided a range of information, including a full position description; and the success criteria for the first 12 months in the role.
Organisation Structure
The CEDC Leadership Team can be viewed by clicking here. An organisation chart will be provided at a later stage in this project.
Reason for Vacancy
After 10 highly successful years as Executive Director, Mr Bill Dixon is stepping away from the role at the end of 2024.
Commencement
The commencement date is January 2025. However, periodic availability during Term 4 will assist in a smooth transition of leadership.
Location and Travel
This role is based in the Catholic Education Services office, located at 130 Lake Street, Cairns. The nature of the role requires frequent domestic travel as well as some international travel and regular travel to schools throughout the Diocese.
Conditions of Employment
- The remuneration package will be discussed as we move through this process.
- Various Leave Entitlements, including 5 weeks annual leave and 5 days professional renewal leave per year.
- The initial contract period is 5 years, with an option for a further 5 years. The standard 6-month probation period applies.
- The expectation is that the successful applicant will live in Cairns, and so relocation assistance is available.
- Applicants require a current Drivers Licence.
- Unless an exemption applies, all staff are required to hold a current Working With Children Blue Card or be eligible to apply or be registered or be eligible to register with Queensland College of Teachers.
Selection Criteria
We invite expressions of interest from people who align with the following:
- A deep and personal commitment to their Catholic faith, exemplified in Sunday worship and a commitment to a regular sacramental life.
- Senior leadership and governance experience in Catholic education, having led within a large complex organisation.
- High level collaborative skill and the ability to establish respectful relationships, balanced with an ability make decisions and deliver outcomes.
- Excellent stakeholder relations, including with Church, government agencies and community representatives.
- Ability to promote and facilitate the safety of children and vulnerable adults.
- Relevant tertiary qualifications and a track record of ongoing personal and professional learning.
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 TS1542. 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 Thursday 18th April |
Latest date for applications | Wednesday 8th May |
Selection committee short listing | During week commencing Mon 20th May |
Anticipated date for CEDC interviews | Monday 3rd June |
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.
- Applications will close at 5.00pm on the date shown above. However, a late application could be accepted, providing it does not adversely impact other applications or the CEDC 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 most likely that people invited to meet the selection committee will be invited to complete on-line psychometric and aptitude testing in advance of the meeting.
- The selection committee will provide the option of an online 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 verification of academic qualifications and professional memberships.
- Prior to the shortlisting process, information provided to Trak Search will be made available, in confidence, to the Diocesan Administrator, or his nominee, unless you instruct 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.
- People are contacted and discussions commence soon after applications are received. We do not wait until the close date. There are advantages in applying immediately.
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.
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.
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.