lead director, priority learners

Department for Education

Job reference: 710176

Location: ADELAIDE

Job status: Long Term Contract

Eligibility: Open to Everyone

Why work with us:

Every child and young person deserves a great education.

We have a strategy that aims to unlock every child's potential now and into the future, one that in partnership with learners, students, parents, and the wider South Australian community will build a world-leading public education system. One that is equitable and prioritises learning and wellbeing.

Together we will make our education system the best it can be.

When our children and young people thrive, so do our communities and our state.

About the role:

The Lead Director, Priority Learners:

• Provides strategic and innovative educational leadership for the realisation of the Department for Education's strategic priorities and achievement of Schools and Preschools (SaP) division's objectives and outcomes: including progressing Our Strategy for Public Education in South Australia and delivering on the department's purpose for all children and students to learn and thrive.
• Provides high level direction and oversight to Education Directors and the Priority Learners directorate to drive the strategy for operational initiatives and projects, which contribute to the successful delivery of education and care services across the State.
• Provides high level leadership and direction in the planning and delivery of a range of operational initiatives, projects and operational functions, including enrolment, capacity and transition policy and processes, implementation, embedding and sustainability of targeted learning resources, aligned with school improvement and the coordination of engagement between the corporate office and schools and preschools to achieve of critical, strategic and functional goals and objectives of the division and department through a collaborative and sustainable approach.

About you:

• Experienced educational leader skilled in collaborating with Directors, Principals and community partners to drive improvement and change.
• Strategic, system-wide thinker with strong analytical, planning and advisory capabilities.
• Effective in navigating ambiguity and applying creative problem-solving to deliver successful outcomes.
• Strong communicator with advanced interpersonal, negotiation, coaching and mentoring skills.
• Proven ability to lead educational reform, translate policy into practice and build high-achievement, equitable and safe learning environments.
• Skilled team leader who fosters a culture of performance, professionalism and continuous improvement.

Essential qualifications and competencies:

• An appropriate tertiary qualification including post-graduate qualifications in an appropriate discipline desirable or relevant experience.
• Experience leading in a large and complex organisation at an executive level, ensuring the translation of priorities into executed deliverables.
• You must have, or be able to obtain, a Department for Human Services issued Working With Children Check.

What you will get in return:

• A three-year executive contract.
• Make positive change for children within one of SA's biggest departments.
• Be a part of a forward-thinking and dynamic team and enjoy a supportive and collaborative work environment.

Special Conditions:

The successful applicant is required to gain a Department for Human Services (DHS) working with children check (WWCC) prior to being employed which is required to be renewed every five years before expiry. The incumbent will be required to undertake RRHAN –EC (Responding to Risks of Harm, Abuse and Neglect - Education Care) Facilitator Lead (Masterclass) extended course or the online (Fundamentals) course which will be required to be updated every three years.

For all other Special Conditions please refer to the attached Position Description.

Enquiries:

Enquiries can be directed to Peter Kelly, Deputy Chief Executive, Schools and Preschools via phone: or email:

Application Instructions:

Applications should be made through the IWorkForSA website.

Applicants are required to submit a CV and a cover letter, outlining their suitability against the position description.

People of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent and/or those who have a disability are strongly encouraged to apply.

Additional Note:

This is a full-time contract role (1.0 FTE), initial 3 year contract

Applications close: 30/11/2025 11:30 PM