Project Manager: ONCE – Catholic Schools Office, Diocese of Wagga Wagga, NSW

An Introduction to Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Wagga Wagga

The Catholic Diocese of Wagga Wagga is located in the Riverina and south western district of New South Wales. The Murray and Murrumbidgee Rivers are significant geographical features of our diocese and on our eastern border lie the mountainous regions of the Great Dividing Range.

The Catholic Schools Office (CSO) is accountable to the Bishop of Wagga Wagga for Catholic education in the Wagga Wagga System of schools and is led by the Director of Schools, Mr Alan Bowyer. There are 26 primary schools and 5 secondary schools that educate in excess of 8,500 students through the dedication and work of approximately 1,000 staff.

The Diocese of Wagga Wagga is one of 16 members of CEnet.

CEnet is a not-for-profit services company supporting a large network of Catholic education Systems, connecting school communities across metropolitan, regional and rural New South Wales, Queensland, the ACT and Tasmania.

CEnet’s purpose is to connect and support their members as they integrate information, communication and learning technologies. It does this by designing, implementing, procuring and managing affordable, robust and scalable, standards-based ICT solutions, server and storage infrastructure and application services so as to provide a safe connected online learning environment for Catholic schools.

ONCE is a major CEnet project. The ONCE strategy seeks to articulate the concept of doing things once. In line with this, the ONCE strategy provides a set of comprehensive information management systems, infrastructure and related initiatives across CEnet Member Dioceses, such as Wagga Wagga, to support the core business of learning and teaching and to enhance administration and reporting.

The ONCE strategy incorporates a Data Warehouse (CeD3) and an integrated, Enterprise Student Information System (CeSIS) and Enterprise Finance Management System (CeFMS) and a number of other related and emerging initiatives.

Position Overview

Position Title: ONCE Project Manager
Reports to:       Manager, Finance and Resources

The ONCE project incorporates a Data Warehouse (CeD3) project and an integrated, Enterprise Student Information System (CeSIS) and Enterprise Finance Management System (CeFMS).

As a part of the wider CEnet project, Wagga Wagga Diocese Catholic Schools will be progressively implementing each of the elements of the ONCE project over the coming years.

CED3 Project – this project aims to deliver a comprehensive information management system across our schools and offices to support administration, reporting and the core business of learning and teaching.
The CeD3 Project has two core services;

1. Data Warehouse
2. Analytics & Reporting Portal

SIS/FMS – this projectaims to deliver a comprehensive information management system across the Wagga Dioceses to support administration, reporting and the core business of learning and teaching.
The Project will cover;

• Student Management- enrolment, attendance, health, behaviour records, extra curricula profile, special needs information
• Timetable Management
• Assessment and Reporting of Student Achievement
• Resource Management
• Financial and Asset Management
• Performance, Reporting and Analysis

Reporting to the Manager – Finance & Resources, this key role requires the incumbent to take on the management of key System Projects with emphasis on successful delivery of the Once Project, which will go live in 2018.

The Project Manager is accountable for the efficient and effective management of designated projects and resources to deliver successful projects on time within budget and scope under the Direction of the Steering Group. The Project Manager will be responsible for providing expert project management advice and leadership and ensuring that any risks and issues associated with the projects are identified and effectively managed.

Key Areas of Accountability

Actively promotes the Vision and Mission of Catholic education in the Diocese

• Project Management
• Communication
• Reporting and Management
• People Management
• Risk and Compliance

• Gaining an understanding on school operations – both in class, enrollment and student management; and financial operations. So it is likely the person will be embedded in schools for a period of time.
• Gaining a full understanding of the project – what the software does, how it operates etc. This will involve an induction with CEnet and visits to other dioceses who are in the pilot/roll out phase.
• Recruitment of Team – the PM would be charged with recommending the development/recruitment of their team – initially this is likely to be a finance person and an education person (seconded); and could also include a change management person and an administrative person.
• The PM would also be working on looking at Wagga Wagga processes (particularly finance), and how we operate and making recommendations about working more efficiently

• CEnet IT Manager and service delivery lead
• Manager Finance & Resources
• Accountant Finance & Resources
• Project Management Team (yet to be formed)
• Schools principals/executives
• Admin staff in schools
• CSO School Service Officer staff

• The Project Manager will be given the autonomy to develop a team which they think will be necessary to achieve the objectives of the project within reasonable budget constraints.
• At this stage the team, reporting to the Project Manager, is envisaged to be  – Schools SME, Finance SME, Change Manager, Admin person, 4 trainers.

This is a newly created role as a part of Wagga Wagga’s strategy to implement the CEnet ONCE project into their schools.

Negotiable, although ideally by the end of May this year.

The Catholic Schools Office Wagga Wagga is located at 205 Tarcutta Street Wagga Wagga  NSW. Given the critical nature of the project to the Wagga Wagga System of schools, it is expected much time will be required in schools and therefore the role will need to be based in Wagga Wagga.

Conditions of Employment

• Salary of $156,830
• Superannuation of 9.5% paid in addition to the above salary.
• A motor vehicle is provided for work use.
• Leave: 4 weeks annual leave; 2 weeks stand down leave; ex gratia leave between Christmas and New Year
• 4 year contract (2017-2020)
• Salary Packaging: employees may elect to take their remuneration as a combination of cash salary and benefits as outlined in the Diocese of Wagga Wagga Salary Packaging Employee Information Guide.
• Relocation allowance will be provided (if required) for the successful applicant.
• The successful applicant will undertake a New Working with Children Check and a National Police Checking Service (Crimtrac) prior to appointment.
• A current “C” Class Drivers Licence

Renewal and Development

• There are ongoing appraisal processes.
• Develop and complete an annual personal professional learning plan.
• Engage in personal professional learning.

Selection Criteria

We invite expressions of interest from people who can demonstrate the following:

• Capable of aligning with the values of a large Catholic education employer
• A significant record of success in delivering business process and technology change projects. This will be evidenced by:
  • strategic thinking & planning skills
  • leading of significant change
  • project management methodologies
  • stakeholder engagement
  • creative and innovative thinking to challenge and support colleagues
• A highly relational style and capable of building and maintaining effective, cohesive relationships
• A track record of ongoing personal and professional learning combined with formal qualifications.

 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 TS1353. Whichever you choose, please provide a brief resume and contact telephone number.

At this stage we do NOT ask for you to labour over selection criteria or any application document – just complete the panel on this page or send a one-line email to Trak Search to indicate your interest in ‘ONCE Project Manager TS1353’ 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:

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, 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 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 Director 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.