Director of Business

The Opportunity

St Mary's College is seeking an experienced Director of Business to join our Executive Leadership Team. This pivotal role is instrumental in ensuring the College fulfils its mission, purpose, and strategic direction through excellence in financial stewardship, operational leadership, and governance.

Reporting directly to the Principal and the Board Chair and working closely with the College Leadership Team, the Director of Business will provide strategic oversight and operational management across key domains including Business and Finance, Facilities and Resources, Workplace Health and Safety, Risk and Compliance, and Governance.

This is a unique opportunity for a dynamic professional who thrives in complex, adaptive environments and is committed to leading with integrity and collaboration.

The successful candidate will bring a high-level awareness of contemporary leadership practices and a willingness to engage deeply with the College's values and community.

About You

You are a strategic, detail-oriented professional with a passion for leading people, systems, and resources to achieve meaningful outcomes. You bring a depth of experience in governance, risk and compliance and financial and business leadership, and your approach is grounded in integrity, collaboration, and a commitment to excellence.

At St Mary's College, we believe that leadership comes in all varieties. While experience and knowledge of the education sector is desirable, we welcome applications from candidates with transferable skills and leadership experience in other industries. What matters most is your ability to lead effectively in a complex, adaptive organisation and your alignment with the College's mission and values.

To thrive in this role, you will bring:

• A tertiary qualification in accounting, commerce, or a related field, with CPA and/or CA accreditation; post-graduate qualifications are highly regarded.
• Extensive executive-level experience in finance and business operations within a large organisation, ideally in education or a comparable sector.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to interpret financial and operational data to inform strategic decisions.
• High attention to detail and advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel and MS Query.
• Sound understanding of relevant legislation, industrial instruments, and compliance frameworks.
• Familiarity with school financial management and systems such as Preceda, Synergetic, and SEQTA is desirable.
• Proven organisational capability and the ability to manage complex operational environments.

About Us

St Mary's College is a Reception to Year 12 Catholic girls' school located in the heart of Adelaide. Established in 1869, we are proud to be South Australia's oldest continuously operating school for girls. Rooted in the Catholic Dominican tradition of 'veritas' – truth, our values of Community Justice, and Growth guide a vibrant and inclusive learning environment.

Our Dominican spirit calls us to seek truth, act with courage, embrace open-mindedness, and foster a deep commitment to inclusivity and welcome. We empower young women to succeed in learning and in life, encouraging them to become compassionate, thoughtful contributors to a more just world.

At St Mary's, we blend heritage with forward-thinking education. Our approach is grounded in the key pillars of Learning, Relationships, and Innovation, creating an experience that is dynamic, student-centred, and responsive to the needs of today's learners. Within our safe and supportive environment, each student is encouraged to grow with integrity, confidence, and curiosity.

Our curriculum is designed specifically for young women—creative, challenging, and enriching—supporting the development of strong identities, passions, and beliefs that will empower our students to make a positive impact both locally and globally.

Safeguarding Commitment - St Mary's College is actively committed to fostering communities of safeguarding that recognise and uphold the dignity and rights of all children and young people. The College maintains zero tolerance for harm of any kind.

Application process

Please visit the St Mary's College website to view the Applicant Information Package: Employment Opportunities | St Mary's College )

Applications for the position of Director of Business should be addressed to:

Heidi Senior

Principal

St Mary's College

Applications should be emailed to Human Resources Manager, Emily Semple at 

Applications should include the following:

• Completed CESA Employment Declaration Form
• Current CV
• Covering Letter (1 page), outlining reasons for your interest in and suitability for the position
• A Written Professional Statement Responding to the position with reference to the Key Areas of Responsibility in the Position Information Document. (5 pages max)
• Candidates are required to provide three nominated Referees. It is essential that you seek your referees' permission to list them as willing to speak about you in relation to this position. You are asked to forward to them a copy of the advertisement and the Position Information Document. This will mean that they are better able to speak about your suitability for the position, as they will be able to speak in specific terms.

Applications close: 9:00amMonday 15 September 2025