Director, Student Support Services

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The Department for Education is seeking an exceptional Director, Student Support Services to lead a large multi-disciplinary workforce with over 500 FTE across the state. You'll drive strategic reform, lead clinical governance across allied health and school mental health services, and ensure every child—especially our most vulnerable—gets the tailored support they need to succeed.

If you are an experienced leader, who is passionate about improving the lives and educational outcome of children and young people, this position is for you.

Why work with us:

Every child and young person deserves a great education.

We have a strategy that aims to unlock every child's potential now and into the future, one that in partnership with learners, students, parents, and the wider South Australian community will build a world-leading public education system. One that is equitable and prioritises learning and wellbeing.

Together we will make our education system the best it can be.

When our children and young people thrive, so do our communities and our state.

About the role:

The Director, Student Support Services provides strategic leadership for large multi-disciplinary teams with over 500 FTE across statewide locations. Student Support Services delivers culturally responsive, high-quality services to children, young people, schools and preschools, contributing to improved learning and wellbeing outcomes.

The Director shapes and delivers the Support and Inclusion Division's strategic agenda, collaborates with agencies for integrated statewide service delivery, and coordinates with Department for Education Local Education Teams to ensure our students and young people have the resources and support they need to thrive. The role includes strategic leadership of the specialist educator workforce, and clinical governance for allied health and school mental health services, ensuring safe, effective service delivery to children and young people.

About you:

Strategic Leadership: Proven experience leading allied health/educator workforce design and change management in large organizations, with ability to direct and mentor multidisciplinary teams in complex environments.

Clinical Governance: Strategic oversight of clinical governance frameworks for allied health and mental health services, ensuring safe, evidence-based service delivery to children and young people.

Stakeholder Management: Strong communication and engagement skills to collaborate effectively across diverse groups and drive successful outcomes.

Cultural Inclusivity: Commitment to promoting culturally inclusive workplaces through ongoing cultural awareness development and ensuring equitable outcomes for all.

Systems Knowledge: Sound understanding of economic, industrial, legal, social, and cultural environments impacting education and service delivery systems.

Compliance & Safety: Demonstrated knowledge of Equal Opportunity and Work Health and Safety legislation requirements, with commitment to creating safe, inclusive work environments.

Essential qualifications and competencies:

An appropriate tertiary qualification including post-graduate qualifications in an appropriate discipline desirable or relevant experience in service delivery for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities and/or culturally and linguistically diverse communities.

Experience leading in a large and complex organisation at an executive level, ensuring the translation of priorities into executed deliverables.

You must have, or be able to obtain, a Department for Human Services issued Working With Children Check.

What you will get in return:

A three-year executive contract.

Make positive change for children within one of SA's biggest departments.

Be a part of a forward-thinking and dynamic team and enjoy a supportive and collaborative work environment.

Special Conditions:

The successful applicant is required to gain a Department for Human Services (DHS) working with children check (WWCC) prior to being employed which is required to be renewed every five years before expiry. The incumbent will be required to undertake RRHAN –EC (Responding to Risks of Harm, Abuse and Neglect - Education Care) Facilitator Lead (Masterclass) extended course or the online (Fundamentals) course which will be required to be updated every three years.

For all other Special Conditions please refer to the attached Position Description.

Applications should be made through the I Work For SA website.

For further information and details on how to apply for this vacancy, please go to iworkfor.sa.gov.au and search for vacancy number 694968

The South Australian public sector promotes diversity and flexible ways of working including part-time. Applicants are encouraged to discuss the flexible working arrangements for this role.

Closing date is 14/09/2025 11:30 PM

Salary match Number of applicants Skills match

Education, Training & Professional Development

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