Deputy Executive Director – Catholic Education Diocese of Cairns

Catholic Education – Diocese of Cairns (CEDC), is a partnership with Catholic Education Services (CES) and thirty schools including twenty primary schools, two Prep to Year 12 Colleges and eight secondary Colleges which includes a Flexible Learning College with campuses in Cairns and Cooktown.  All schools, except the dual campus Our Lady of the Sacred Heart School, Waiben (Thursday Island) and Kiriri (Hammond Island), Weipa and Holy Spirit College, Cooktown campus, are within a two-hour drive of Cairns.

Catholic Education-Diocese of Cairns includes schools and Catholic Education Services (CES).  Catholic Education Services work with schools to support and challenge schools, through connected autonomy, to work towards achieving the Vision of CEDC:

 To offer every student in every school a world class education enriched by their lived encounter with the Catholic faith.

CEDC is committed to building communities of learning that provide a safe, nurturing and academically challenging environment for every student.

Leadership and strategic management of the system of schools is the responsibility of the Executive Director of Catholic Education. Through a team of professionals, the Executive Director manages and facilitates a number of significant and particular delegations which include:

• Support of the mission of the Church as delivered through Catholic Education
• Support of schools by providing services that strengthen school capacity
• Provision of leadership and forward planning to develop organisational capability
• Distribution to schools of government allocated funds and their accountability
• Monitoring of quality of schools and compliance/accountability with requirements of governments, Church and parents
• Within limits, provision of some centralised, specialised student services, where this is the most effective and efficient approach.

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.

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Position Overview

Position Title: Deputy Executive Director

Reports to: Executive Director

Position Purpose

The gospel imperatives are the guiding principles for all dimensions of the role and consciously living out the gospel is at the heart of the role. In this context the Deputy Executive Director:

• Strengthens school capacity to provide a quality Catholic education by leading the School Improvement, and through the other Directors of CEDC, to provide support and guidance to school leadership teams to develop and implement contemporary models and practice of effective school management.
• Supports the professional and spiritual needs of school Principals through leading and managing the CEDC Directors to provide mentoring, leadership, encouragement and supervision.
• As a member of the Executive Leadership Team works with Catholic Education Services personnel to build the capacity of schools to develop innovative approaches to engaging students in learning that prepares them for a fulfilled life.

These activities will be undertaken in response to policy direction from the Board of Governance (through the Executive Director), and in alignment with the Strategic Framework and the Defining Features of Catholic Schools.

The responsibility of this role is constantly evolving in consultation with the Executive Director as CEDC responds to the changing educational and spiritual needs of students.

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

Key Relationships

The position reports to the Executive Director. The position also has a collegial relationship with the Vicar for Schools, The Bishop and the Clergy of the Diocese.

The position is a key member of the Strategic Leadership Team of Catholic Education Services.

The position will also lead or be a member of various Diocesan committees, QLD Directors Forum committees, National committees and represent the Diocese at QCEC level.

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

Reason for Vacancy

After nearly 9 years as Deputy Executive Director, Mr Ian Davis has announced that he will retire at the end of 2025.

Commencement

The commencement date is January 2026. 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 232 Mulgrave Road Cairns. The nature of the role requires frequent domestic 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 expectation is that the successful applicant will live in Cairns, and so relocation assistance is available.
• The position is a fulltime leadership position, which involves extended hours, evening meetings, overnight absence and interstate travel ranging over seven days.
• This is a five-year contract with annual review with an option for a further 5 years. The standard 6-month probation period applies.
• The Working with Children (Risk Management & Screening) Act 2000 requires the preferred applicant to be subject to “working with children check” as part of the employment screening process. Further details regarding this check may be obtained at  bluecard.qld.gov.au
• Confirmation of employment is conditional upon the preferred applicant being issued with a suitability card from the Public Safety Business Agency.
• A non-smoking policy is effective in CES buildings, offices, and motor vehicles.
• A current drivers licence is required.

Selection Criteria

We invite expressions of interest from people who align with the following:

• A personal commitment to their Catholic faith, demonstrated by public witness and as an active member of a Catholic Parish.
• A strong commitment to the objectives, vision and ethos of Catholic Education combined with an appreciation for Catholic Education issues.
• Experience as a Principal within Catholic Education (either Primary or Secondary), ideally having also operated in a leadership role within a Diocesan Education office.
• Participation, innovation and research in the disciplines of school organisation and leadership development.
• Written and verbal communication skills of a high order.
• Professional qualifications in Education and registered (or eligible to register) with the Queensland College of Teachers, together with a record of continuing professional development.

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 TS1574. 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 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 possible that people will be invited to complete on-line psychometric testing and/or a video presentation.
• The selection committee will provide an option of an online interview in circumstances where a person is unable to visit for the initial 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 Executive Director, 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.