Head of Operations

Head of Operations – Tasmania's First Multi-School Organisation (MSO)

Lead a bold new chapter in Tasmania's reform of government schools

The MSO model is being launched in early 2026 as Tasmania's first MSO, a strong family of schools led by a central leadership and governance team to drive improvement, equity, and innovation at scale. The trial is a partnership between the Tasmanian Government and McKinnon – an independent not-for-profit organisation.

The Department for Education, Children and Young People (DECYP) is seeking a dynamic and experienced Head of Operations to join the founding executive team of Tasmania's first MSO. This is a rare opportunity to shape a new educational institution and broader statewide policy from the ground up.

The Head of Operations, reporting to the CEO, will be responsible for:

• Designing and delivering the operational backbone of the MSO, ensuring schools can focus on teaching and learning while benefiting from high-quality centralised support.
• Leading the optimisation of resource use, including finance, human and physical resources, compliance, communications and risk management – ensuring consistent service delivery that is both efficient and scalable, in line with DECYP policies.
• Working closely with the CEO to align the operations strategy with educational priorities, ensuring every decision supports the MSO's mission to improve student outcomes and close equity gaps.
• Recruiting and managing a lean central office to oversee these operational functions as the MSO grows.

We are looking for someone with a strong track record in operational leadership, ideally in a multi-site or regulated environment. You may come from education, but we are equally open to candidates from corporate, government, or not-for-profit sectors who bring commercial acumen, strategic thinking, and a deep commitment to public service. You will be comfortable navigating ambiguity, building systems from scratch, and leading through change. You are hands on, a problem-solver, a collaborator, someone who thrives in a start-up environment, and is motivated by the opportunity to make a lasting impact on the lives of young people in Tasmania.

This role offers the chance to be part of a pioneering reform effort with national and international significance. You will work alongside a passionate and expert team, supported by local and international advisors, and contribute to a model that could reshape how school improvement is delivered in Australia.

If you are excited by the challenge of building something new and believe in the power of great operations to enable great education, we would love to hear from you.

How to apply

DECYP are partnering with an external agency, Perrett Laver for the recruitment of this role. Applications must be submitted through Perrett Laver directly via the following link, quoting reference 7963 for Head of Operations. Please submit a CV and covering letter detailing how you fulfil the role description and personal specification.

• You can also view the Statement of Duties here.

The deadline for applications is 9am AEST, Monday 13th October.

Formal interviews will be taking place virtually in late October and in person in Tasmania in early-mid November. If you require any reasonable adjustments to assist you in the selection process, please advise us of these so that we can make appropriate arrangements.

Come and join a purpose-driven team shaping Tasmania's future. As part of our 12,000-strong workforce, you'll play a vital role in supporting children and young people to be known, safe, well, and learning—from their earliest years through to adulthood. Whether you're in education, libraries, child safety, youth justice, out-of-home care or our support roles, your work will directly contribute to brighter lives and positive futures across the state. Be part of a child-centred agency where your impact matters every day.

Department for Education, Children and Young People Tasmania

#J-18808-Ljbffr

---