Director of Schools – Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong, NSW

Led by Bishop Brian Mascord, who was ordained in February 2018, the Diocese of Wollongong is home to some 191,000 baptised Catholics extending across the Illawarra, Macarthur, Shoalhaven and Southern Highlands regions of NSW.

Not only is it likely the fastest growing diocese in Australia, it has been blessed with a rich diversity—traditional Aboriginal custodians, old settlers and newly-arrived migrants; rural, urban and industrial environments; coastal and highland settings; established townships and some of the fastest growing suburbs in Australia.

Our Mission

The purpose of our diocese is to propose Jesus Christ by fostering a communion of vibrant parish, school, welfare and religious communities that equip the faithful to carry out the mission of Christ in the world.

Catholic Education

Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong (CEDoW) is a system of quality Catholic schools, consisting of 38 school communities drawing from four metropolitan and regional areas (the Illawarra, Macarthur, Shoalhaven and Southern Highlands), along with the Catholic Education Office, that exists to service the educational, administrative and resourcing needs of these schools.

The Diocese of Wollongong is one of the fastest growing Catholic dioceses in NSW, particularly in the south-western Sydney region of the province. There are 29 primary schools, 8 secondary schools and 1 K-12 school in CEDoW. With over 19,000 students enrolled, these schools are offering vibrant Catholic school communities where every student finds meaning and purpose in their life through experiencing continual growth in faith and improvement in learning. In addition, CEDoW works collaboratively with the congregational schools in our diocese. In total the Diocese is served by 48 Systemic and Congregational Catholic schools supporting over 26,000 students.

The Director of Schools in CEDoW holds the employer authority as delegated by Bishop Brian Mascord, for the Roman Catholic Church for the Diocese of Wollongong. Approximately 3,000 staff are employed in the schools and offices of CEDoW, with the Marian Centre located in the CBD of Wollongong and the Emmaus Centre located in the CBD of Campbelltown.

Click here to view a map of the school locations throughout the diocese.

Diocesan Schools Council (DSC)

The DSC is the key advisory body to the Bishop in the area of education for CEDoW schools. The Director of Schools is on the Council as its Executive Officer and reports on the progress of the Strategic Direction and school operations, finances and planning. Council’s work is devoted to contributing advice and recommendations to the Bishop regarding the effective and efficient operation of the Catholic school system of the diocese in the best interests of the children and young people in our schools, and the staff who care for them.

Further Information

Visit the CEDoW website (https://www.dow.catholic.edu.au) to view a range of additional information, including Lighting the Way, which is their vision and strategic direction for 2019 to 2022.

Position Overview

Position Title: Director of Schools

Reports to:       Bishop of Wollongong

Position Objective

To provide inspirational and strategic leadership of Catholic Systemic Schools in the Diocese of Wollongong.

Mission Imperative

All employees of Catholic Education, Diocese of Wollongong, have responsibility for contributing to the shared mission which is to, “create vibrant Catholic communities where every student finds meaning and purpose in their life through experiencing continual growth in faith and improvement in learning.”

Delegation

The Director of Schools is delegated by the Bishop of Wollongong to lead the system of Catholic schools on his behalf. This delegation carries with it authority to determine appropriate processes and structures, to employ personnel and establish strategic priorities to ensure church fidelity, government compliance and mission effectiveness.

An advisory Diocesan Schools Council supports the Bishop. The Director of Schools is the Executive Officer of the Diocesan Schools Council.

Key Areas of Accountability:

1. Implementing a contemporary vision for Catholic Education that is faithful to the evangelising mission of the Catholic Church;
2. Fostering respectful relationships and collaborative partnerships with key stakeholders and the broader community;
3. Contributing to the senior leadership of the Diocese and providing advice to the Bishop of Wollongong in matters impacting Catholic Education;
4. Ensuring Religious Education and Faith Formation programs and experiences are of the highest quality and faithful to the teachings of the Catholic Church;
5. Providing quality learning and teaching experiences for students to ensure optimal educational outcomes for all;
6. Building the capacity of staff with a range of quality professional learning and formation experiences;
7. Ensuring all schools and Catholic Education Offices are safe and supportive environments where the safeguarding of children is paramount;
8. Representing and advocating for Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong in relevant local, state and national contexts;
9. Implementing a range of employment and leadership development strategies that will ensure the quality of staffing and leadership in Catholic schools;
10. Prudently managing and accounting for human, financial and material resources;
11. Developing effective processes to strategically plan for and resource the future provision of Catholic schooling in the Diocese; and
12. Implementing system governance, compliance and improvement processes to monitor and report on the effectiveness of the system of schools and compliance with government legislation.

Key Relationships

An organisation chart will be provided later in the process which shows:

1. Catholic Education as one element of the Catholic Church’s works and services in the Diocese of Wollongong; and
2. The Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong Leadership structure, which is currently under review.

Reason for Vacancy

After an exceptional contribution to Catholic education in a career spanning more than 45 years, Peter Turner retires at the end of 2019 from this position that he has held since 2007.

Commencement

The commencement date is negotiable however it is anticipated to be for the start of the 2020 school year. Ideally the person will be available in term 4 2019 to engage in induction activities to provide for a smooth transition of leadership.

Location and Travel

This role will be based within the Marian Centre office located in Market Street Wollongong. Given the geographic spread of the Diocese combined with the need for the Director to be visible in schools as well as involved in wider forums (for example NSW Directors & CSNSW meetings in Sydney), regular travel is required.

Conditions of Employment

The remuneration package for this role is as agreed by the NSW/ACT Bishops and includes:

• Salary: paid in accordance with the scale agreed by the NSW/ACT Bishops. This will be discussed at a later stage of the recruitment process.
• Motor vehicle: a fully maintained vehicle for business and personal use is provided.
• Superannuation: 9.5%.

Other relevant information:

• Salary packaging is available.
• An annual appraisal process occurs.
• Tenure: the initial appointment is for 5 years and, subject to a performance review in the 5th year, renewed for an additional period.
• Reasonable relocation assistance (if required) will be negotiated with the successful applicant.
• Before appointment, an applicant must complete a “Working With Children Check” through the Office of the Children’s Guardian and a Police Check – please visit https://www.kidsguardian.nsw.gov.au/child-safe-organisations/working-with-children-check
• Applicants will require a current “C” Class Driver’s Licence.

Selection Criteria

The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Wollongong, Most Reverend Brian Mascord, invites expressions of interest for this role from people able to demonstrate:

• A genuine, deeply embedded Catholic faith and an active member of a Catholic Eucharistic Community;
• The capacity to be a Faith leader and to articulate a contemporary understanding of the Catholic Church’s mission in education;
• A career in Catholic education, ideally incorporating senior, system-level, leadership experience;
• The attributes, creativity, business acumen and leadership skills required to support a large, fast-growing community as it meets the emerging needs and challenges of an ever-changing environment;
• A highly relational style with a desire to engage with people; capable of building and maintaining cohesive relationships within the Education community as well as with other ministries of the Church;
• 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 TS1414. Whichever option you choose, please provide a brief resume and contact telephone number.

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:

The significant gap between shortlisting and interviews is to accommodate: (a) potential issues for applicants due to possible unavailability during the school term break; and (b) the need to ensure a key panel member is available.

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.
• A late application could be accepted, providing it does not adversely impact other applications or the schedule. Please be aware however that any application received after close of business on the date noted above is more likely to be returned to you.
• 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.
• 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.
• In the latter stages of the process we anticipate the ‘preferred person(s)’ will be involved in psychometric assessments.
• All information provided to Trak Search will be made available prior to shortlisting, in confidence, to the Bishop, or his 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.