The Catholic Diocese of Ballarat is led by the Most Reverend Paul Bird. Bishop Paul Bird was ordained as the Bishop of Ballarat in October 2012. The Diocese is diverse and geographically extensive, covering the western third of Victoria.
There are 64 schools within the Diocese, comprised of:
- 56 schools which have been governed by the local Parish Priest or Administrator; and
- 8 schools and colleges governed by Religious Institutes or Ministerial Public Juridic Persons.
The Bishop of Ballarat has formed a company limited by guarantee which will take over the running of some of parish schools in the Diocese from 1st January 2021. The company, Diocese of Ballarat Catholic Education Limited (DOBCEL) has a board of directors to govern those parish schools where no priest is available for active governance; and those parish schools where the parish priest elects (on behalf of the parish) to transfer responsibility for governance to the company.
The board of the company reports to the Bishop. Day to day management of the schools governed by the company will be delegated to the Director of Catholic Education. Principals will continue to have the appropriate delegations to lead and manage their schools and staff.
The new model of school governance will provide consistency and professionalism of governance for parish schools. It will relieve parish priests of the administrative burdens associated with employment of school staff and operation of schools, while promoting the priests’ ongoing pastoral care for the school communities. The new structure of governance for parish schools will change the accountability and reporting mechanisms for schools, but there is no major change at the local level, where the management of staff and running of the school has been in the hands of local principals for some time.
Fifty-six of the sixty-four Catholic schools in the Diocese of Ballarat (52 primary and 4 secondary) are likely to be impacted by this change over coming years, with the first group of schools having agreed to be transferred to the Company once VRQA has approved the transfers
Further Information
Additional information on the Diocese and Bishop Paul can be viewed by clicking here.
Additional information on the Education Office can be viewed by clicking here.
Additional information on DOBCEL can be viewed by clicking here
Position Overview
Position Title: Director of Catholic Education
Reports to: Bishop of Ballarat
Board of Diocese of Ballarat Catholic Education Ltd (DOBCEL)
Position Context
As the Director of Catholic Education the position exercises system accountability on behalf of the Bishop for all 64 schools in the Diocese of Ballarat with respect to funding and other regulatory matters. As the Chief Executive Officer of DOBCEL, the position has governance of the 56 schools which are proposed to be transferred to the newly incorporated entity.
Primary Objectives
To provide leadership to and stewardship of Catholic education across the Diocese of Ballarat through Christian witness and mission-oriented commitment at national, state and diocesan level.
To provide governance oversight and ensure the effective management and operation of Diocese of Ballarat Catholic Education Ltd (DOBCEL) schools.
Key Responsibilities
The Director of Catholic Education (who is also the Chief Executive Officer of DOBCEL) acts:
- with a delegation from the Bishop in the care and oversight of all 64 systemic Catholic schools within the Diocese.
- with a delegation from the DOBCEL Board in the care, oversight and management of the Catholic Education Office of Ballarat (CEOB), including the appointment, supervision and performance management of CEOB staff.
- with a delegation from the DOBCEL Board, in the care, oversight and management of DOBCEL Schools and the appointment, supervision and performance management of Principals of DOBCEL schools.
Specific areas of responsibility cover:
- Vision and Strategic Planning – includes leading the diocesan education community to embrace and enact the Diocesan Education Vision
- System Authority – includes engaging with other state and national Catholic and Government bodies to advocate for and cooperate on all matters related to Catholic education.
- Governance – includes implementation of the Board’s policies and directives to ensure effective governance for DOBCEL schools and the CEOB.
A full position description will be provided at a later stage in this process.
Initial Priorities
- To facilitate the transfer of schools to the new entity and to obtain VRQA approval prior to 1 January 2021 in order to secure State Government funding for 2021.
- To take immediate steps to build strong personal relationship with regional parishes in the diocese recognising solidarity and subsidiarity but engendering a sense of belonging to the diocese.
- To foster the development of school communities as part of Parish Communities
Key Relationships
The Director of Catholic Education is accountable to the Bishop. As Chief Executive Officer of DOBCEL, the Director is accountable to the DOBCEL Board.
Key relationships include:
- Bishop of Ballarat
- System Leadership Directorate
- Chair and Board of DOBCEL
- Staff of Directorate
- Principals, School Governing Authorities and Principals’ Networks
- Catholic Education Commission Victoria (CECV), Catholic Capital Grants (CCG) and Committees
- Bishop‘s Advisory Council
- Diocesan Finance Council
- Government agencies and education regulators
This position is also a member of the following:
- Company Director, CECV Ltd and CCG Ltd
- Chair and/or Member of CECV and CCG Committees as required
- Member Bishop’s Advisory Council
- Member, National Catholic Education Commission Directors’ Forum
An organisation chart will be provided at a later stage in this process.
Reason for Vacancy
After 9 years of outstanding service, Ms Audrey Brown has decided to step down from this role.
Commencement
The current Director will step down from the role on July 3rd. While the commencement date is negotiable, ideally the person could start prior to July so as to allow an appropriate induction and smooth transition of leadership.
Location and Travel
The role is based in the Ballarat office located on 5 Lyons Street South. Given the nature of this executive position, significant intrastate and interstate travel is anticipated.
Conditions of Employment
- The remuneration package reflects the seniority of the appointment and will be discussed as we step through the process.
- The initial contract period is for five (5) years subject to satisfactory performance, with further contract periods subject to an appraisal according to policy.
- This position requires significant travel within the Diocese and will require work outside normal business hours
- 20 days of annual leave.
- Subject to a recommendation by a review panel, enrichment leave in the penultimate year of the contract based on 1 week for each completed year of service.
- It is a legal requirement that we obtain a Working with Children Check and a National Police Record Check.
- Act in all times in accordance with good conduct and the sensibilities of the Catholic Church.
- Applicants will require a current “C” Class Drivers Licence to fulfil the requirements of the role.
Selection Criteria
The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Ballarat, Most Reverend Paul Bird, invites expressions of interest for this role from people able to demonstrate:
- A strong, personal Catholic faith and an active membership of a Catholic Eucharistic Community;
- The capacity to further develop the Catholic Identity of our schools and to enhance the relationship between Parish and School Communities;
- A career in Catholic education, ideally incorporating senior, system-level, leadership experience;
- Capacity to lead significant change within a cohesive diocesan culture, whilst respecting regional differences;
- An understanding of and experience in frameworks for governance, child protection and risk management;
- A highly relational style with a desire to engage with people combined with a commitment to the principles of transparency, subsidiarity and solidarity;
- Life-long learning through ongoing personal and professional inquiry.
Are You Interested in This Opportunity?
If you are interested in this role, then simply complete the ‘Express Your Interest’ panel on this page; or email us at jobs@traksearch.com stating your interest and nominating ref number TS1426. Whichever you choose, please provide a brief resume and contact telephone number (mobile preferred).
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 job alert.
Any questions can be directed to either (a) our Director John Chesher by telephone (0417 068 220) or (b) email our office via jobs@traksearch.com. The timeline and details for this project are outlined below. All emails and applications are acknowledged within 48 hours.
The Selection Process
Key dates are as follows:
| Date of project launch/advertising | Friday 28th February |
| Latest anticipated date for applications | Fri 20th March |
| Review meeting & short listing | Week commencing Mon 30th March |
| Anticipated date for client interviews | Week of Monday 27th April |
| Final references; academic documents obtained | Following client interviews |
| Follow up meeting/discussion | Likely within 7 days of client interviews |
The time allowed between shortlisting and interviews is to ensure people are not inconvenienced or unavailable during the term break/Easter period.
Trak Search has been instructed to provide a process that is welcoming for people interested in this role. Significant aspects include:
- Throughout the process, Trak Search is available for confidential discussions and to provide information to allow you to explore this opportunity and determine your interest in the role.
- A range of additional information will be provided to you as we progress through this process.
- At the outset you will not be required to: complete an application form; provide a lengthy document to address the selection criteria; or supply referee details. However, you will be invited to supply us with additional information (verbally and in writing) as you progress through the process.
- Closing is 5.00pm (AEDT) on the date shown above. However, a late application could be accepted, providing it does not adversely impact other applications or the schedule.
- At the appropriate time we will seek written consent to speak with referees – listing referees on your resume does not signify consent to do so.
- A Job Style Indicator tool will be used in the later stages of this project for the preferred person(s).
- We expect to contact one work-related referee and a Catholic Priest referee prior to shortlisting, with additional references completed later in the process. You should always expect that before reaching the final stage of the project, we will ask to speak with at least one person who has: directly managed you; recently; and for a significant period of time.
- All information provided to Trak Search will be made available prior to shortlisting, in confidence, to the Bishop of Ballarat or nominee unless you instruct Trak Search otherwise.
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.
