The Executive Director of Schools, Diocese of Wollongong, invites applications suitably qualified and experienced leaders for this significant leadership position.
WHY WORK FOR CATHOLIC EDUCATION IN THE DIOCESE OF WOLLONGONG
We provide our team with:
- Excellent professional & leadership development programs, tailored to your needs
- An environment that encourages innovation and collaboration through education
- A platform to contribute to the life, mission and work of the Catholic faith community
- Flexible Working Opportunities
- Ex-Gratia leave during the Christmas Period
- Competitive Remuneration with a base salary of $183,500 - $197,900 plus superannuation
- A Fully maintained and insured Company Vehicle
- Salary Packaging
ABOUT THE ROLE
This role exists to provide direct management of a range of professional services aimed at promoting and enhancing safe and respectful relations in Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong (CEDoW) schools and offices, with a particular focus on child safety, developing child safe cultures and Child Safe Standards. This role is strategic in focus and requires a long term and proactive approach to developing processes, procedures and strategies that will build the culture of the CEDoW system in the desired manner. The successful candidate will:
- Hold stewardship of the CEDoW child safe framework, code of conduct and right relationships policies
- Manage CEDoW’s child safety responsibilities and lead a team of child safety specialists and officers with extensive subject matter expertise
- Develop and maintain child safety systems in CEDoW and leads CEDoW’s child safe strategy
- Provide strategic advice to senior leadership in CEDoW on child safety risks, both individual concerns, data and emerging trends
- Provide specialist advice to schools and leadership on the management of child safety concerns
- Undertake investigations, assessments and reviews into serious child safety matters concerns
- Undertake investigations of complaints and allegations of reportable conduct and breaches of the code of conduct related to child safety, involving CEDoW workers
- Provide due diligence with redress and insurance responsibilities related to child safety
- Develop the capability of CEDoW’s workforce, particularly in key roles related to child safety
ESSENTIAL CRITERIA
To achieve success in the role, the successful candidate will meet the following criteria:
- Demonstrated capacity to understand and support the Catholic Church’s Mission in Catholic Education and to represent the organisation in a professional and positive manner in keeping with this Mission
- Holds expert knowledge of the NSW Child Protection legislative framework and obligations for organisations, related legal issues including courts processes and intersection with child safety
- Has proven expertise in the management of complex child protection matters, demonstrating high level understanding of boundary violations and abuse or neglect and trauma impact, as well as human psychology, child development and cultural and diversity factors
- Has excellent leadership and management skills, including the ability to influence and support others to accomplish Child Safe objectives
- Demonstrates expertise in the development of training and evidence-based professional development of key personnel to strengthen commitment and foster good professional practice and excellence in child safety
- Provides expert advice, applying high level initiative and very sound judgement
- Has proven investigative expertise and excellent analytical and report writing skills, including ability to formulate recommendations with cogent argument and attention to detail
- Exceptional interpersonal skills, including conflict resolution and trauma informed practices
- Has a high level expertise in documenting and maintaining relevant records securely with a high standard of confidentiality and compliance with privacy and other legislative provision
QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE
- Tertiary degree qualification in the social sciences or other relevant discipline
- Relevant professional experience (10 years plus) working in the Child Safety and Professional Standards field of operations and management
WORKING WITH CHILDREN CLEARANCE
This role is classified as child related work and therefore we require a working with children clearance to be completed prior to your commencement with us.
POSITION APPLICATION
Applicants are to complete an online application which asks to briefly address the essential criteria listed in the position advertisement. Please keep your response to the equivalent of 2 pages in length.
To confidentially discuss your application or general interest in this position please contact Elizabeth Psarris on 4250 9502.
To submit your application please select the 'Apply Now' button at the bottom of this advertisement.
Applications Close: Sunday, 23 November 2025 at 11:55pm
