The Catholic Education system in Western Australia provides a dynamic, student centred approach to education for approximately 77,000 young people in 162 schools and colleges across the state of Western Australia.
Catholic Education in WA is comprised of four regions: Broome, Bunbury, Geraldton and Perth; that correlate to the four dioceses of Western Australia. However, the education system is a single, state-based system and is unique to Catholic Education in Australia.
The four Catholic dioceses in Western Australia and their Bishops mandate a single entity, the Catholic Education Commission of Western Australia (CECWA) and its administrative arm, Catholic Education Office (CEO) to oversee Catholic Education throughout the length and breadth of Western Australia. The CECWA, CEO and all Catholic schools are accountable to the Bishops of Western Australia and State and Australian Governments as well as their local communities.
The CECWA was established to ensure that Bishops Mandate for Catholic Education is implemented throughout Western Australia. The CECWA is responsible to the Bishops’ Conference of Western Australia to fulfil the Terms of Reference contained within the Mandate. It is the CECWA and its five standing committees, which have overall responsibility for the strategic direction and effective management of Catholic Education in WA.
The CEO functions as the executive arm of the CECWA and is led by the Executive Director of Catholic Education WA. The CEO’s structure is designed to support its strategic directions and its mission to facilitate the delivery of an authentic and empowering Catholic Education aimed at improving learning outcomes and life opportunities for the maximum possible number of children, families and communities across WA.
Further Information
A range of information, including the Bishops’ Mandate, can be viewed by visiting the CEWA website located at http://www.ceo.wa.edu.au
Position Overview
Position Title: Executive Director
Reports to: Accountable to the Bishops of WA through the CECWA and its Chair
Purpose and Scope of Position
The Executive Director of Catholic Education in Western Australia is appointed by the Bishops of Western Australia to support them in the development and improvement of Catholic Schools in Western Australia in accordance with the Terms of Reference as articulated in the Mandate to the Catholic Education Commission of Western Australia (CECWA).
The position has two major responsibilities:
- To further the Mission of the Church through a committed, faithful and contemporary approach to the Evangelisation of youth and staff including the improvement in the quality of Religious Education, Evangelisation and Catholic Identity across the school system; and
- To further the quality of teaching and learning across the system through innovative, contemporary skilling and capacity development of leaders and staff.
The Executive Director is a highly significant leader and creator of culture in Catholic Education in Western Australia (CEWA). The role promotes a culture of explicit witness, trust, authenticity, collaboration and collective commitment to improvement of the religious and learning outcomes of the system.
The Executive Director operationalises the CECWA Strategic plan and is responsible for the day to day operations of the Catholic School system in Western Australia and acts as spokesperson for the system. The Executive Director accounts for the effectiveness of the implementation of the CECWA strategic plan directly to the CECWA.
The Executive Director is entrusted with the fulfilment of the Mandate of the CECWA through effective and strategic leadership with a particular emphasis on well-defined and effective accountabilities.
The role involves planning, organising, collaborating and administering all operations directly or through the Executive team and system leaders.
A full position description will be provided as we step through this project.
Initial Priorities
- Foster a deeper understanding and an appreciation of the mission of Catholic Education in Western Australia as expressed in the Mandate of the Bishops of Western Australia
- Promote the faith formation of CEWA leaders and staff.
- Building of relationships throughout the geographic spread and diversity of people and Catholic communities of Western Australia.
- Begin the implementation of the strategic plan which is to be released later this year.
Commencement
The commencement date is negotiable although it is anticipated the successful person will be able to start in this role for the beginning of the 2019 school year.
Location and Travel
This role is based in Perth at 50 Ruislip Street, Leederville. The nature of the role will require significant and continual travel to the school communities and regional offices located within the four Dioceses of WA.
Conditions of Employment
- A remuneration package reflecting the seniority of the position will be negotiated with the successful person.
- Term: This is a fixed term contract for 5 years with a review after 2 years.
- Relocation Costs: reasonable relocation costs will be provided if the successful applicant is not based in Perth.
- A current National Police History Check as issued by the Department of Education Western Australia must be provided by the successful person. (Visit here to learn more: http://det.wa.edu.au/screening/detcms/navigation/screening-for-criminal-history/nationally-coordinated-criminal-history-check—application/\
- To be eligible to apply for this role you must be legally permitted to work in Australia.
Selection Criteria
We invite expressions of interest from people who align with the following:
- A person with a genuine and deeply embedded Catholic faith and clearly committed to the values and teachings of the Catholic Church.
- A career in Catholic education incorporating senior, system-level, leadership experience.
- The capacity, understanding and preparedness to embrace the diversity in geography and of communities which comprise Catholic education in Western Australia.
- Strategic thinking and planning skills with the ability to articulate and translate an organisation’s mission into the fabric of the organisation.
- Highly developed interpersonal and relational skills combined with the desire to engage with people throughout WA.
- 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 TS1383. Whichever you choose, please provide a brief resume and contact telephone number.
At this stage we do NOT ask you to address the selection criteria or provide an application document – just complete the panel on this page or send a brief email to Trak Search to indicate your interest in ‘Executive Director CEWA TS1383’; and providing your 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:
| Date of project launch/advertising | Fri 29th/Sat 30th June |
| Latest anticipated date for applications | Wed 25th July |
| Review meeting & short listing | Week commencing Mon 6th Aug |
| Anticipated date for client interviews | Week of Monday 20th August |
| Final references; academic documents obtained | Following client interviews |
| Follow up meeting/discussion | Likely within 7 days of client interviews |
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 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 Bishops (or nominees) 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.
