Senior Director Early Childhood

Job description

Agency Department of Education and Training Work unit Early Childhood

Job title Senior Director Early Childhood Designation Executive Contract Officer 2

Job type Full time Duration Fixed for up to 4 years

Salary $247,170 Location Darwin

Position number 43429 RTF Closing 14/09/2025

Contact officer Aderyn Chatterton, Deputy Chief Executive Early Years and School Services on or

About the agency

Apply online

APPLICATIONS MUST INCLUDE A ONE-PAGE SUMMARY ABOUT YOU, A DETAILED RESUME AND COPIES OF YOUR TERTIARY

QUALIFICATIONS.

Information for applicants – inclusion and diversity and Special Measures recruitment plans

The NTPS values diversity. The NTPS encourages people from all diversity groups to apply for vacancies and accommodates people with

disability by making reasonable workplace adjustments. If you require an adjustment for the recruitment process or job, please discuss

this with the contact officer. For more information about applying for this position and the merit process, go to the OCPE website.

Aboriginal applicants will be granted priority consideration for this vacancy. For more information on Special Measures plans, go to the

OCPE website.

Primary objective

The role will provide high level leadership of the significant Northern Territory (NT) Government system wide strategy and early childhood

targeted programs to deliver on national and territory-level reforms. This role provides strong and effective leadership in the development

of strategic and operational policy, resource allocation strategies, and funding of service providers, quality and performance measurement

across the early childhood, school, and other education services in the NT.

Context statement

Early Childhood provides a holistic range of culturally responsive services and support to early childhood settings and schools to maximise

outcomes for Territory children and young people. This includes services and support for quality teaching and learning, transition support,

early childhood quality and integration, and policy coordination. Early Childhood Services also strategically implements government

priorities, provides advice to the Minister and the department's senior executive, and engages with a broad range of stakeholders to

benefit our clients.

Key duties and responsibilities

1. Lead policy for Early Childhood service and program delivery in the Northern Territory.

1. Provide system leadership and management of divisional staff and resources so as to ensure program and legislative outcomes are

met.

1. Develop and maintain effective collaborative partnerships and strategic alliances with other departmental staff, the early childhood

education and care sector, external agencies, non-government organisations, and the community.

4. Establish appropriate systems and measurement tools to monitor and report on the effectiveness of service delivery of targeted

childhood programs.

5. Develop quality improvement and workforce strategies for the Early Childhood Services system.

1. Work with relevant agencies, both NT and Australian Government, and non-government providers to develop an integrated service

system for early childhood programs.

7. Working with principals, children, managers, and key stakeholders to implement reforms across the early childhood sector.

Selection criteria

Essential

1. Successful experience at a senior management level in a complex political and cross-cultural environment with a focus on improving

early childhood systems and service performance.

2. Proven record in developing and sustaining productive working relationships and partnerships with internal and external stakeholders

including State and Australian Governments.

3. Ability to maintain high-level personal performance, to manage pressure, and modify approaches to suit changing client and policy

requirements.

1. Develop quality improvement and workforce strategies for the Early Childhood Services service system.

2. Proven capacity to lead policy development, program management, and service provision across functional lines of responsibility.

3. A creative and flexible approach to balancing policy and practice to ensure organisational objectives are met within approved budget

parameters.

7. Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills including the ability to interact effectively with people from diverse cultures.

8. Excellent knowledge of the current evidence and contemporary approaches in early childhood and related services.

Desirable

1. Tertiary degree in a relevant discipline.

2. Management training at a high level, e.g. Completion of an Executive Development Plan, or Master of Business Administration.

Further information

The successful applicant will be required to hold a driver's licence, current Northern Territory working with children clearance notice and

undergo a criminal history check. In addition, applicants will be required to undertake remote travel in four-wheel drive vehicles and light

aircraft and be required to pivot to manage aspects of emergency management if required. Some out of work hours duties are required.