Director Mission Integration: Good Samaritan Education

Location: negotiable

An Introduction to Good Samaritan Education

Our Purpose

The mission of Good Samaritan Education is to sustain and nurture communities of learning in the Good Samaritan Benedictine tradition.

Its purpose is to foster ecclesial communion and to share in the mission of God through the ministry of Catholic education (Statutes, 5). The mission of Good Samaritan Education is grounded in the:

• Parable of the Good Samaritan;

• Rule of Benedict;

• Good Samaritan Education Statutes;

• Good Samaritan Education Statement of Charism;

• Good Samaritan Education Philosophy of Education.

The Good Samaritan Sisters established Good Samaritan Education and it was constituted a public juridic person on 22 July 2011. As such, Good Samaritan Education is committed to communio (the building of an authentic community) and to discernment as fundamental to its life.

In continuing the mission that Jesus Christ gave to the Church, Good Samaritan Education is to ensure its apostolic works faithfully carry into the future the charism received from the Sisters of the Good Samaritan. Good Samaritan Education is called to ensure that In All Things May God Be Glorified – In Omnibus Glorificetur Deus (RB, 57:9).

Our Charism

The charism of Good Samaritan Education is centred on the person of Jesus Christ in the communal seeking of God, believing that it is together – not as isolated individuals – that we go to God (Rule of Benedict, 72:12), our hearts overflowing with the inexpressible delight of love (RB, Prologue 49).

Enriched and inspired by the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10: 25-37) the Rule of Benedict and the Sisters of the Good Samaritan, the mission of Good Samaritan Education is to sustain and nurture communities of learning in the Catholic tradition.

Such faith communities of learning are formed by essential values drawn from the Rule of Benedict: love of neighbour, prayer, stability, conversatio, obedience, discipline, humility, stewardship, hospitality, community, justice and peace.

Our Colleges

Good Samaritan Education is responsible for ten colleges in Australia, each with a distinctive spirit that connects them to their local Church. Yet, there are common characteristics.  A strong marker of all our schools is their spirit of co-operation and collaboration.

Each college is incorporated as a company limited by guarantee under the Corporations Act 2001.

Principals, staff, students, parents, Board of Directors and Members of the Company work together with the Members of Good Samaritan Education to develop educational communities where all are valued and welcomed.

Further Information

A comprehensive range of information can be viewed on the Good Samaritan Education website located at http://goodsameducation.org.au

Position Overview

Position Title:    Director of Mission Integration

Reports to:        Executive Director, Good Samaritan Education

Introduction

The Director of Mission Integration is responsible for the successful leadership and management of the formation programs of Good Samaritan Education (GSE)

Spiritual formation is a dynamic and challenging lifelong journey. It is about enabling people to grow as human beings and as disciples of Christ so that they might truly respond to the Gospel call to bring about the reign of God. It is about the transformational experience that is the mystery of God’s work in the human heart.

Benedict’s invitation to “Listen carefully and attend with the ear of the heart” (Prologue 1) is extended to all who are called to engage with the Gospel and live out the values of Good Samaritan Benedictine spirituality. All who accept the invitation to join the Good Samaritan Education community will participate in formation programs and experiences to assist them to grow in understanding of their ministry within the mission of the Catholic Church.

Purpose of Position

The formation programs of Good Samaritan Education are directed towards the integration of the purpose of GSE into the life of the organisation. The Director of Mission Integration leads the Mission Team in its role of stewarding the Good Samaritan Benedictine tradition, working with the Immersion and Resource Coordinator and the Formation Programs Coordinator to provide a range of formation and immersion opportunities for all members of GSE and its school communities. The Director of Mission Integration also works closely with the Executive Director and the Director of Finance and Resources to provide professional support and pastoral care to those involved in the GSE governance structure.

The Director of Mission Integration is thus required to engage with creativity and commitment in implementing the purpose of GSE through:

• Leading strategically
• Nurturing communio
• Stewarding the mission
• Organising effectively

Reporting Relationships

The Director of Mission Integration reports to the Executive Director of GSE and leads a Mission Team currently comprising two staff.

Governing Council and Assemblies

The Director of Mission Integration is responsible for the provision of appropriate formation for meetings of the Governing Council and Assembly and will attend the formation segments of those meetings. The Director of Mission Integration attends meetings of the Governing Council and Assembly for other agenda items as requested.

Commencement

The current Director of Mission Integration is stepping down from the role at the end of January 2017 and it is anticipated the successful person will commence by this time.

Location and travel

Given that seven of the 10 schools are in NSW and both Mission Team staff are Sydney-based, there could be an advantage in the Director of Mission Integration being located in Sydney. However, GSE is open to other locations and does not want geography to restrict any applications.

Travel will obviously depend upon the home location of the successful person. Initially it is anticipated there will be regular & frequent school visits to understand each school and develop relationships. Thereafter, while irregular, the role could require travel of a few days each fortnight/3 weeks. The person will need to be available to schools and ready to travel as required.

Conditions of Employment

The salary range for this senior appointment will be discussed as we step through this process and will be negotiated with the successful applicant.

Appraisal/Review

The Director of Mission Integration sets annual goals with the Executive Director based on the goals of Good Samaritan Education. Performance is reviewed annually against these goals by the Executive Director. A comprehensive Performance Review will be conducted during the fourth year of the contract.

Period of Appointment

The Director of Mission Integration is appointed for 5 years. The agreement will contain a six-month probationary period with a review process at that point.

Selection Criteria

We anticipate that people interested in this role will be able to demonstrate:

• A genuine, deeply embedded commitment to faith in the Catholic tradition
• A career in Catholic education incorporating leadership experience which includes responsibility for Mission and Faith Formation
• Skills in strategic thinking and planning
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Highly developed interpersonal and relational skills
• Self-motivation and self-direction
• Post-graduate studies in theology or other related studies, with a track record of ongoing personal and professional learning
• Capacity to operate in a virtual office environment

Are you Interested in This Opportunity?

If you are interested in this role, there are two options for you to proceed:

1. If interested, but have questions requiring a response before deciding whether to progress, then either (a) telephone our Director John Chesher (0417 068 220) or (b) email our office via mail@traksearch.com or from this page of our website with your question(s).
2. If and when you have enough information to start this process, then simply email your resume to mail@traksearch.com or from this page of our website stating your interest in this role, ref number TS1337; also providing a contact telephone number.

At this stage we do NOT ask for you to labour over selection criteria or provide any application document – just a one-line email with resume to Trak Search to indicate your interest in ‘Director Mission Integration TS1337’; and providing your contact telephone number. 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:

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 or lengthy, comprehensive document to address the selection criteria; or provide any 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 (refer above) we will seek written consent to speak with referees – listing referees on your resume does not signify consent.
• We expect to contact one work related referee prior to short listing, with additional references (including with a Religious referee) completed later in the process.  You should always expect that prior to 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 time period.
• All information provided to Trak Search will be made available prior to short listing, in confidence, to the Executive Director 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.