chief executive officer

2 days ago

Adelaide, South Australia TAFE SA Full time $250,000 - $400,000 per year

TAFE SA

Job reference: 700734

Location: ADELAIDE

Job status: Long Term Contract

Eligibility: Open to Everyone

Lead South Australia's premier public provider of vocational education and training

TAFE SA is seeking an exceptional leader to serve as its next Chief Executive Officer (CEO). This is a rare opportunity to shape the future of the state's skills economy, aligning education with workforce needs, driving innovation, excellence, and impact across South Australia.

As CEO, you will be accountable for the strategic leadership, management, and performance of TAFE SA. Working in close partnership with the Board and Government, you will deliver on the organisation's purpose, vision, and strategic objectives, ensuring robust governance, financial sustainability, and operational excellence.

You will lead TAFE SA's transformation agenda, championing digital innovation, continuous improvement, and student success. With a strong focus on equity and inclusion, you will foster a values-driven culture that supports high performance, psychological safety, and respect.

This role requires a visionary leader with demonstrated success at the senior executive level, in large, complex, service-oriented organisations. You will bring a strategic mindset, strong commercial acumen, a deep understanding of government policy, and a track record of leading organisational transformation. Your ability to build trusted relationships with government, industry, First Nations communities, and other stakeholders will be critical to your success.

Key outcomes include delivering TAFE SA's Strategic Plan (2023–2033), strengthening public trust, ensuring compliance and quality across all programs, delivering in priority sectors for the state and engaging effectively with industry.

Essential Criteria:

  • Proven senior executive leadership experience
  • Strong strategic planning and execution capability
  • Influential communicator and relationship builder
  • Demonstrated success in transformation and innovation
  • Deep commitment to equity, diversity, and cultural safety

Qualifications:

  • Tertiary qualifications in education, business, public administration, law, policy, or economics
  • Postgraduate or executive leadership qualifications highly desirable

Location: Adelaide metropolitan area

Conditions: National Police Check, Working with Children Check, eligibility to work in Australia, and availability for out-of-hours and interstate/international travel.

If this role interests you, please contact Courtenay Atwell from Korn Ferry at Applications should be sent to and include a brief cover letter (1–2 pages) and a copy of your CV.

Applications close: 22/10/2025 11:45 PM

Flexibility Statement

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.

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