Senior Manager, Curriculum and Assessment

Catholic Schools NSW (CSNSW) represents NSW Catholic schools and their owners to the media, government and other education sector stakeholders.   Catholic Schools in NSW educate approximately one in five NSW students.

CSNSW has the following appointments from the Australian and NSW governments:

· Approved system authority for funding for the NSW Catholic schools system;

· Non-government representative body for NSW Catholic schools; and

· Catholic Block Grant Authority in New South Wales.

Under its Constitution, CSNSW acts as the overarching entity for the purposes of advancing education and religion in Catholic schools in NSW and ensures that Catholic schools meet their compliance requirements and can measure their activities in such a way as to maximize the education and faith outcomes of students.  The company's constitution is also backed by canonical mandates of delegation from each of the 11 diocesan bishops in New South Wales who are also the members of the Company.

Employees of CSNSW provide advice to Government and Catholic School Authorities on the full range of educational policy and compliance drivers impacting contemporary NSW schooling.

This is a full time position with the expectation that you are willing and able to work from the CSNSW office located in Sydney's CBD

The Senior Manager Curriculum and Assessment has demonstrated expertise in curriculum and assessment design, pedagogy, and innovative approaches to schooling in particular and works across all eleven dioceses and schools conducted by Religious Institutes and Ministerial Public Juridic Persons (RI/ MPJP) in NSW. The role sits within the Curriculum and Assessment team comprising of experienced educational leaders, who manage Curriculum and Assessment, Aboriginal Education, Diverse Learning and Vocational Education (VET) and is part of the Deputy Chief Executive Officer (DCEO) Directorate which works in collaboration with all NSW Catholic school agencies across all areas of schooling.

The role has a wide variety of responsibilities including, but not limited to:

Curriculum

• Providing advice regarding national and international research that informs best practices in teaching, learning, and Catholic mission.
• Facilitating and supporting the engagement with NESA, ACARA, and Catholic School Agencies with respect to curriculum, assessment and pedagogy and working in close collaboration with CSNSW Senior Managers with related responsibilities.
• Engaging with and developing responses to NESA and Catholic Agencies relating to curriculum, assessment and pedagogy.
• Supporting system delivery of curriculum, assessment and pedagogy through committee representation, reference groups and forums.
• Managing the development of briefing papers and other communications to inform the CSNSW Board, Catholic School Agencies, NESA and ACARA informed of policy, regulatory and other changes affecting curriculum and assessment from K-12.
• Preparing and presenting evidence-informed professional learning, resources and materials to support curriculum, assessment and pedagogy.

Assessment

• Supporting NAPLAN, NAP Assessment (both mandated and opt-in) and other assessments on behalf of CSNSW including but not limited to:
• The triennial sample assessments in Science Literacy, ICT and Civics and Citizenship (Mandatory)
• International sample assessments, specifically the Program of International Student Achievement (PISA), the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) and the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) (Mandatory)
• NSW Government's Validation of Assessment for Learning and Individual Development (VALID) Science Assessments for Years 6, 8 and10 (Opt-in)
• NSW Best Start Kindergarten assessment (Opt-in)
• Phonics Screening Check (Opt-in)
• Phonemic awareness assessments (Opt-in)
• Check-in assessments (Opt-in)
• NSW DoE Transition to Year 7 assessment(Opt-in)Ensuring optimum engagement of NSW Catholic schools through committee representation, reference groups and forums

• Ensuring currency and compliance with data storage platforms and facilitating the negotiation of agreements to access and utilise data.

• Developing and providing policy advice on assessment programs to CSNSW, Diocesan Catholic Schools Authorities and RI/ MPJP schools.

• Liaising and negotiating with State and Australian Governments and Departments and Catholic Sector school authorities (including CEnet and NCEC), NESA, NSW DoE and ACARA on matters concerning assessment programs and early literacy and numeracy education initiatives.
• Maintaining and developing appropriate communication and information networks with Catholic Schools Authorities, Catholic Sector school authorities (including CEnet and NCEC), NESA, NSW DoE and ACARA.

Other duties as requested by the CEO, Deputy CEO and Head of Curriculum and Assessment.

Key challenges

• High volume workload, meeting competing deadlines.

• National Criminal History Record Check in accordance with the Disability Inclusion Act 2014
• Working with Children Check clearance in accordance with the Child Protection (Working with Children) Act 2012.
• Empathy with and support for the mission, ethos and beliefs of Catholic schools and the communities they serve.
• Leadership role or current experience in schools or system office.
• Current knowledge of NSW syllabuses, and their development, NSW Curriculum policy context.
• Critical content knowledge and understanding of best-practice approaches to curriculum and assessment design.
• High level interpersonal and communication skills.
• Excellent group presentation, verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated experience managing high volume projects and meeting critical deadlines.
• Demonstrated experience in reviewing, evaluating and developing policies and procedures.
• Commitment to maintaining privacy, confidentiality and dealing respectfully with sensitive information.

Applications for the position should include:

• A cover letter - which must address the essential requirements of the position.
• Curriculum Vitae.

Applications to be addressed to the Human Resources Manager.

Applications close 5pm, Wednesday 10 September 2025 (unless closed earlier).

You must have full legal rights to work in Australia with no restrictions.

CSNSW only engages people who are suitable to work with children and has developed and implemented child safe human resources practices accordingly.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.