Cleaning Services Lead

Cleaning Services Lead

At the NSW Department of Education, we educate and inspire lifelong learners – from early childhood, through schooling to vocational education and training.

• Temporary Full-Time up to 4 years
• Various locations available with flexible working arrangements available
• Multiples roles available
• Salary: Clerk Grade 9/10 with salary ranging from $129,464 to $142,665 + super and annual leave loading
• A unique opportunity to be part of a supportive and collaborative team driving the future of cleaning services

Join a newly formed team leading the way in smarter, safer, and more efficient cleaning services for NSW public schools.

About Cleaning Services

The NSW Government's reforms to public sector cleaning services entail the NSW Department of Education taking over management of the state's Whole-of-Government cleaning contracts from January 1, 2026.

A team has been established to deliver an enhanced Whole-of-Government cleaning contract for alignment and delivery of all program streams. Including Governance, ITD, Recruitment and Risk Management.

About the role

As the Cleaning Services Lead, you will play a key role in managing contracts, monitoring compliance, and ensuring services meet safety and quality standards.

You will coordinate site inspections, track performance, and provide clear reporting to support continuous improvement and effective decision-making. This role requires you to work closely with internal teams and contractors, to help resolve issues and contribute to long-term reforms that make a real difference to schools, students, and communities.

For further information please click here to view the role description

About you

You are an experienced and proactive leader who thrives on guiding teams to deliver high-quality outcomes. You bring a strategic mindset, balancing operational priorities with a focus on compliance, performance, and continuous improvement.

The ideal candidate will have:

• Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate and guide a collaborative team.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Confidence in interpreting data, identifying trends, and translating insights into clear, actionable reports.
• A commitment to quality, safety, and compliance in all aspects of work.
• A passion for leading initiatives that contribute to meaningful, long-term reform.

Are you ready to lead and make a difference? Apply now.

Key Knowledge and Experience

• Knowledge of contract management and compliance processes, ideally within facilities or cleaning services.
• Knowledge of and commitment to implementing the Department's Aboriginal Education Policy and upholding the Department's Partnership Agreement with the NSW AECG and to ensure quality outcomes for Aboriginal people.

Essential requirements of the role

• Relevant tertiary qualifications and/or equivalent workplace experience in contract management, facilities management, or a related field.
• Current and valid Working with Children Check Clearance for paid employment.
• Demonstrated understanding of and commitment to the value of public education.

Benefits

• Flexible working arrangements
• 35 hour working week
• Competitive, salary sacrificing, employer's contribution to superannuation and annual leave loading
• Flex Leave entitlements, generous holidays & leave conditions
• Opportunities for advancement and mobility across the Department to support your career growth

How to apply

Attach a resume (maximum 5 pages) and a cover letter (maximum 2 pages) outlining how you meet the requirements and capabilities of this role.

Targeted Questions

1. Describe a time when you identified a process or system improvement that enhanced service delivery or operational efficiency. (300 words)

2. Outline your experience managing service contracts, including monitoring compliance, tracking performance, and resolving operational issues. (300 words)

Please refer to the Applicant's Guide to Applying to assist you with your application.

If you are an existing Education Support Staff (corporate staff) with the NSW Department of Education, click here for instructions on how to submit your application.

All other applicants please submit your application by clicking 'Apply Now'.

Note: the selection process will include a range of assessment techniques to assist in determining your suitability for the role. Successful candidates will be required to undertake pre-employment screening for this role which includes a National Criminal History Check.

This is a child-related role. As a condition of employment you will be required to provide a valid Working with Children Check (WWCC) Clearance number (for paid employment). Visit the website for more information.

Candidates must have Australian work rights (citizens, permanent residents, New Zealand citizens or a valid work visa). Ongoing (permanent) roles are open to Australian citizens and permanent residents and New Zealand citizens, while temporary roles welcome applicants with a visa.

Closing date: Wednesday, 19 November 2025 at 11:59pm.

For role enquiries please contact Joanne Stanborough via email on

For recruitment related enquiries contact

For technical issues contact

We welcome applications from all ages and genders, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, culturally and linguistically diverse groups, the LGBTQIA+ community, veterans, refugees and people with disability. If we can make some adjustments to our recruitment/interview process to better enable you to shine, please contact the Diversity and Inclusion Team ) or visit NSW Department of Education Diversity and Inclusion.

A recruitment pool may be created through this recruitment process. A recruitment pool is a group of applicants who have been assessed and identified as suitable for this role, and who may be considered for a range of similar roles, including temporary, term or ongoing roles, over the next 18 months.