Deputy CEO

Deputy CEO – School Improvement & Indigenous Education Research Centre (IERC)
A Transformational Leadership Role in First Nations Education

• Organisation: Studio Schools of Australia (SSA)
• Location: Hybrid however our schools are based in the Kimberley, Western Australia
• Position Type: Executive Leadership, Full-Time
• Reports to: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Our Mission: Leading System-Wide Educational Transformation

Studio Schools of Australia (SSA) is at the forefront of a pivotal change in secondary education for and with Indigenous students in remote northern Australia. Established in 2019, our mission is to deliver a scalable, evidence-based, and work-related model of education that empowers Indigenous students to lead their own advancement. Building on the success of the Yiramalay/Wesley Studio School, we launched the Manjali Studio School and the bespoke Indigenous Education and Research Centre (IERC) in 2025.We are fundamentally committed to being a child-safe organisation. The safety, wellbeing, and empowerment of our students are central to every decision we make and every action we take.

The Opportunity: Drive Our Vision Forward

We are seeking a visionary and deeply experienced Deputy CEO to join our executive team. This is a rare opportunity to shape the future of Indigenous education on a national scale. You will be the strategic driver of educational excellence across our network of schools and the inaugural leader of our pioneering Indigenous Education and Research Centre (IERC).

Reporting directly to the CEO, you will be responsible for translating our long-term vision into tangible, life-changing outcomes for students, families, and communities. Your leadership will ensure our educational model is not only successful but also a nationally recognised exemplar of best practice in cross-cultural pedagogy and learning on country.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Educational Leadership: Provide executive oversight to ensure the highest standards of teaching, learning, and student wellbeing across all SSA schools.
• School Improvement: Drive a culture of continuous, data-informed improvement, building the capability of our educators and leaders to achieve outstanding student outcomes in attendance, retention, and academic progress.
• IERC Leadership: Lead the IERC to become a centre of excellence, embedding Indigenous knowledge systems, advancing curriculum innovation, and fostering impactful research partnerships with universities and community.
• Community Partnership: Strengthen and deepen our genuine partnerships with Traditional Owners, Elders, and community stakeholders, ensuring our work is community-led and culturally grounded.
• Operational Excellence: Oversee compliance, accreditation, risk mitigation, and government reporting to ensure sustainable and efficient operations.

How We Will Assess Your Application: Selection Criteria

Your application will be assessed directly against your demonstrated ability to meet the following six (6) selection criteria. Please address each criterion individually in your cover letter, providing specific examples and evidence of your impact.

1. Executive Leadership in Complex Environments: Extensive executive leadership experience (minimum 8 years) within education, not-for-profit, or community-controlled organisations, preferably during periods of significant start-up or growth. Provide examples of how you have successfully navigated complexity and led organisational development.
2. Demonstrated Expertise in Educational Improvement Strategy: Proven success in designing and implementing system-wide school improvement frameworks. Detail your experience in curriculum design, innovative pedagogy, and using data to drive measurable improvements in student outcomes. While advantageous, direct teaching qualifications are not mandatory if expertise is demonstrated through other means.
3. Deep understanding of Australian education policy, ACARA frameworks, and remote/Indigenous education challenges including knowledge of cultural protocols and community engagement practices
4. Authentic Cultural Competency and Partnership with First Nations Peoples: Deep, nuanced understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, histories, and aspirations. Provide verifiable examples of how you have built genuine, respectful, and productive partnerships with Indigenous communities that have led to positive, community-defined outcomes.
5. Leadership in Research and Evidence-Based Practice: Demonstrated ability to foster a culture of inquiry and lead research initiatives. Describe your experience in collaborating with universities or research institutions and translating academic research into practical, on-the-ground educational practice.
6. Strategic Resource and Funding Management: A proven track record of successfully securing and managing high-value grants and funding from government, philanthropic, or corporate sources. Detail the scale of funding you have managed and its impact on educational initiatives.
7. Proven experience securing and managing grants, with demonstrated success in government (Department of Education), philanthropic, and corporate funding streams
8. Postgraduate Qualifications: Possession of a Master's degree, postgraduate qualification, or equivalent demonstrated expertise in a relevant field such as Educational Leadership, Public Policy, or Community Development.

Application Instructions: Your Next Steps

To be considered for this critical role, please submit the following documents:

1. A current Curriculum Vitae (CV).
2. A Cover Letter. Your cover letter is the central component of your application. It must address the Selection Criteria listed above, providing specific examples and evidence from your career. IF YOU DO NOT FEEL YOU MEET SOME OF THE KEY CRITERIA BUT BRING VALUE IN ANOTHER WAY, PLEASE LET US KNOW

In addition, please include a separate section in your cover letter that answers the following questions:

1. What are your salary expectations (please indicate a total remuneration package)?
2. What is your earliest possible start date?
3. Please indicate your preferred living and working arrangement
4. Describe in detail the work you have done directly with Australia's First Nations communities. Please specify the community/organisation, your exact role, the key outcomes, the measurable impact of your direct involvement, and provide references who can verify this work.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Studio Schools of Australia is actively building a team that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. We believe that a range of perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds is essential to our success. We strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. We are committed to providing a fair, equitable, and accessible recruitment process for all candidates. If you require any reasonable adjustments to participate in the application or interview process, please let us know.

Mandatory Requirements & Safeguarding

• All applicants must have the right to work in Australia.
• Ability to travel regularly to remote Kimberley locations (minimum 50% of time on-site)
• A current, unrestricted Driver's Licence is mandatory.
• The successful applicant will be required to provide a current WA Working with Children Check (WWCC) and a National Police Check (NPC).
• Studio Schools of Australia is a child-safe organisation. All appointments are subject to rigorous child protection legislation and pre-employment screening.

Further Information

We have designed this advertisement to be as comprehensive as possible, ensuring all candidates have clear and equitable access to the information needed to submit a high-quality application.

Should you have a specific query that is critical to your application and is not addressed above, you are welcome to contact Kirstie Toovey, who heads up our Human Resources division. Please email your query to: We look forward to receiving your application.

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