Join Us! This is more than a leadership role—it’s a unique opportunity to transform educational outcomes and lead bold reform at a state-wide scale.
If you're ready to shape the future of Queensland’s schools, we want to hear from you.
- Visionary, values-based leadership across Queensland’s 8 education regions
- Lead major organisational reforms and policy initiatives improving student outcomes
- Newly created role reporting to the Director-General
About The Department
The Department of Education is dedicated to building an inclusive and diverse workforce that reflects the community and schools we support by treating everyone with respect and dignity. This starts with recruitment and selection. The methods of assessing suitability in the recruitment process may vary. This includes making reasonable adjustments to support applicants at all stages of the process and employee lifecycle.
About The Opportunity
Shape the Future of Education in Queensland - Are you a bold, visionary leader ready to make a profound and lasting impact on the lives of thousands of students across Queensland? This is your opportunity to lead one of the most complex, high-stakes, and influential executive roles in the Queensland Department of Education.
As the Deputy Director-General, School and Regional Operations and Performance, you will be at the heart of educational leadership in Queensland—overseeing the performance and strategic direction of eight education regions and supporting over 1,264 state schools. With direct accountability for a significant portfolio of financial, human, and physical resources, this role is essential in delivering improved education outcomes and driving critical state and national reforms.
About The Role
This newly created role will:
- Lead 10 direct reports, including eight Regional Directors and two senior executives (Assistant Director-General and Executive Director), with approximately 52 indirect reports.
- Oversee Human Resources School Operations, ensuring consistent, high-quality service delivery and workforce excellence across the state.
- Drive the implementation of government priorities such as Red Tape Reduction, system-wide reform, and initiatives to lift student outcomes.
- Champion cross-regional collaboration, robust accountability, and high-performance culture to drive system-wide school improvement.
- Represent the Department at state and national forums, advocating for Queensland's education system and advancing strategic priorities.
- Lead emergency and disaster responses across the education sector, ensuring continuity, safety, and resilience.
About You
We are seeking an accomplished and inspiring leader with:
- A record of strategic leadership in complex public or education systems.
- Strong governance acumen and the ability to manage substantial budgets and resources with transparency and integrity.
- Proven ability to lead major organisational reform, shape high-impact policy, and deliver measurable improvements in public service performance.
- Exceptional stakeholder engagement skills and a commitment to the Department's values and strategic vision.
- A passion for equity, innovation, and student success at every level of the education system.
Interested? To Apply:
- Attach a brief resume including contact details for 2 referees (referees should have an understanding of your relevant work history);
- Attach a 1-page written statement about how your achievements and capabilities meet the requirements of the role.
We welcome all applicants to share any support needed to ensure our recruitment process is inclusive.
Applications remain current for 12 months from the closing date and may be considered for appointment to identical or similar vacancies within the Department.
Applications from recruitment agencies will not be accepted.
When working in regulated employment an employee must have a current Working with Children Clearance (blue card) issued by Blue Card Services.
Salary rate shown is reflective of full-time (1.0 FTE).
The Department of Education is a family inclusive workplace. Click here to find out more about our Inclusion and Diversity strategies.
Occupational group Executive
