Did you know:
- Good Samaritan Education (GSE) is a community of 10 Catholic schools, poised at an exciting time in its history.
- This position leads a small, professional team that operates in a variety of forums, but always within a spirit of giving, goodwill and love of the Good Samaritan Benedictine charism.
- This role and the scope of its projects, provides for autonomy and initiative, while allowing you to collaborate strategically to positively impact the lives of families in their 10 schools.
- Established in 2011, GSE has well-established structures and policies in place.
Enriched and inspired by the Parable of the Good Samaritan, the Rule of Benedict and the Sisters of the Good Samaritan, the mission of Good Samaritan Education (GSE) is to sustain and nurture communities of learning in the Catholic tradition.
GSE was launched in 2011 and is a community within the Catholic Church that continues the mission of Jesus through the ministry of Catholic education and embraces the ten school communities of GSE. GSE is built on the firm foundation of the educational ministry of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Good Samaritan, which began in 1861. Governance within GSE is exercised according to the principles of partnership, subsidiarity and stewardship.
The ten incorporated schools are:
Sydney Archdiocese: Rosebank College, Five Dock; St Scholastica’s College, Glebe Point.
Broken Bay Diocese: Stella Maris College, Manly; Mount St Benedict College, Pennant Hills.
Wollongong Diocese: St Mary Star of the Sea, Wollongong; St Patrick’s College, Campbelltown; Mater Dei, Camden.
Melbourne Archdiocese: Mater Christi College, Belgrave; Santa Maria College, Northcote.
Brisbane Archdiocese: Lourdes Hill College, Hawthorne.
Further Information
Additional information, including key documents such as the Philosophy of Education and The Voice and Experience of Women in Leadership, can be accessed by visiting the GSE website located at https://goodsameducation.org.au/
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Position Overview
Position Title: Executive Director
Reports to: Chair of the Governing Council
Position Purpose
The Executive Director role is one of service to, and working with, the Governing Council and Members of Good Samaritan Education (GSE), ensuring that they are supported in their function of accomplishing the mission entrusted to them under the Statutes. To achieve this, the Executive Director is responsible for contributing to the strategic direction and for operational implementation and management of GSE. The role ensures that Governing Council and Members have the executive support they need to perform their responsibilities.
Reporting to the Governing Council of GSE and working closely with the Boards and Principals of the ten GSE schools, the Executive Director leads, motivates and influences, ensuring that GSE maintains its charism, that all within the GSE community remain in communio with one another, and that GSE is positioned to respond to a changing environment and emerging areas of mission.
The Executive Director works collaboratively with the Director of Mission Integration, the Director of Finance and Resources and a small team of professionals, to integrate the mission of GSE into the life of the organisation; to steward the resources of GSE; to provide professional support and pastoral care to those involved in governance and to ensure that the GSE mission is fulfilled.
The Executive Director engages with creativity and commitment in implementing the purpose of GSE through:
- Leading strategically
- Nurturing communio
- Stewarding the mission
- Stewarding the resources
- Organising effectively
At a later stage in this project, you will be provided with key documents, including the GSE 2023 to 2027 Strategic Plan, the position description; and the success criteria/priorities for the first 12 months in the role.
Reporting Relationships
The Executive Director reports to the Chair of Good Samaritan Education Governing Council. S/he attends all meetings of the Governing Council and all Assemblies of Good Samaritan Education unless excluded by a conflict of interest. S/he also attends all meetings of the Executive Committee and those with the Congregational Leader.
Reporting to the Executive Director is:
- Director of Finance & Resources, with an Executive Support & Finance Officer.
- Director of Formation and Mission Integration, with a Mission Program Co-ordinator and a Communications Officer.
- Manager of Governance.
Reason for Vacancy
After nearly 5 years of outstanding service to GSE, Jane Comensoli is stepping down from the role.
Commencement
With Jane Comensoli announcing her departure for January 2025, it is anticipated the incoming Executive Director could commence in January to allow for a transition of leadership.
Location and Travel
The position is based in the Good Samaritan offices, located at 2 Avenue Rd, Glebe. The nature of the role will require regular travel as well as occasional weekend and evening work. Travel to GSE schools is expected, noting that seven of the 10 schools are in the Sydney and Illawarra regions.
Conditions of Employment
- The details and terms and conditions of appointment will be discussed as we progress through this process.
- The nature of the role allows for a mix of working from the Glebe office and a home office.
- Annual leave is 4 weeks.
- The salary package component is adjusted annually in line with movements in the general market and in light of performance.
- The appointment is for 5 years. There is the usual 6-month probation period.
- The Executive Director sets annual goals with the Chair and performance is reviewed annually. A comprehensive review will be conducted during the fourth year of the contract.
- Portability of benefits will be negotiated with the successful applicant, however as an indicator, portability of LSL earned with another Catholic education employer will be in accord with the agreements in place.
- Prior to appointment the successful applicant will possess a current, approved Working With Children Check and complete a successful National Criminal History Check.
- Applicants will require a current Drivers Licence.
Selection Criteria
The Governing Council invites expressions of interest from people who align with the following:
- Personal commitment to the Catholic faith with a deep understanding of the purpose and mission of the Catholic Church and Catholic schools.
- Understanding of the importance of charism and formation, with the desire to grow in Good Samaritan Benedictine spirituality.
- Senior leadership experience relating to Catholic education, evidenced by:
- A future-thinker with the ability to think and plan strategically.
- Understanding of governance.
- Organisation and resource management skills.
- Capacity to guide and support ongoing formation.
- Listening deeply and acting collaboratively.
- High level communication skills with the capacity to build and maintain effective, collaborative and cohesive relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, including school boards and principals.
- Modelling and fostering a commitment to the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults.
- A track record of life-long learning, together with relevant postgraduate qualifications.
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 TS1546. 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
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The Selection Process
The timeline for this project is as follows:
Date of project launch/advertising | Monday 1st July |
Latest date for applications | Fri. 26th July |
Selection committee short listing | Early in the week start Mon 5th August |
Anticipated date for GSE interviews | Late in the week of Mon. 12th August |
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; and will provide additional information to allow you to explore how the role aligns with your expectations and interests.
- Applications are open for a longer period than usual. This is to ensure people are not disadvantaged by the school break.
- 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 GSE schedule.
- We expect to complete a work-related reference; and a faith-based reference with a Catholic Priest/Sister/Brother; 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.
- The selection committee will provide an option of an online interview in circumstances where a person is unable to visit 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 memberships verification.
- Prior to the shortlisting process, information provided to Trak Search will be made available, in confidence, to the Chair, or her 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.