Catholic Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn Education Limited is seeking an outstanding Catholic educational leader for the role of Deputy Executive Director Faith in Learning. 

Based at the Catholic Education Office in Manuka ACT, this executive role offers the opportunity to lead system-wide curriculum, pedagogy and Catholic identity initiatives across one of Australia’s largest Catholic education systems.

The successful candidate will be a practising Catholic who is deeply committed to Catholic education and capable of integrating faith, learning and culture to enhance outcomes for students and the staff across schools and early learning centres.

The Archdiocese

Catholic Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn Education Limited operates across the ACT and NSW, supporting 56 schools and nine early learning centres and educates more than 24,000 students. Our work is grounded in communities of hope, joy and wonder where all are welcome.

Catholic Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn Education Limited has undergone a major reorganisation of its senior leadership structure with the establishment of four Deputy Executive Director roles with the following portfolios:

• Governance and Strategy
• Corporate Services
• School Operations
• Faith in Learning

The Faith in Learning Group has brought the Teaching and Learning Team and the Mission and Identity Team together to ensure that our Catholic identity and mission is embedded in the teaching and learning of all subject areas, not just Religious Education.

Over the last five years, the Teaching and Learning Team has driven sustained system-wide pedagogical change through the Catalyst program, with remarkable results, especially in early years literacy.  In the words of Pope Leo in “Drawing new maps of hope” Catholic Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn Education Limited considers this strong focus on “literacy and numeracy is a matter of dignity before it is a matter of competence.”

As a member of the Executive Leadership Team, the role brings together the Teaching and Learning Team with the Identity and Mission Team.  The Faith in Learning Directorate aims to build on the achievements of Catalyst to ensure students and the staff have the opportunity to experience the whole of reality as an ordered unity, created by God out of love, and to see education as the search for what is true, beautiful and good, not merely the acquisition of marketable skills. This is what we refer to as the “Catholic worldview” or, in the educational context, the “Catholic Curriculum”. In the words of St John Henry Newman, we believe that “Religious truth is not only a portion, but a condition, of general knowledge”.

The Position

The role provides strategic leadership across curriculum and pedagogy, Catholic culture and spirituality and data analysis and reporting. Working closely with Principals, Assistant Directors and fellow Deputy Executive Directors, the role drives measurable improvement in student learning while enhancing faith formation and evangelisation opportunities for students and staff.

The Deputy Executive Director Faith in Learning provides high-level advice to the Executive Director and Board, represents Catholic Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn Education Limited in senior forums and builds strong partnerships with universities, dioceses and partners. The role also supports system-wide professional learning and the effective use of data to inform teaching  assessment and school improvement.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the Faith in Learning Directorate in delivering educational, formation and Catholic identity initiatives
• Provide strategic advice on curriculum, pedagogy, assessment and Catholic identity
• Support Principals to enhance student learning outcomes and faith development
• Ensure accreditation to Work, Teach and Lead requirements are met across the system
• Foster continuous improvement through evidence-based teaching and learning frameworks
• Lead system approaches to data collection, analysis and reporting

Selection Criteria

• Demonstrated commitment to the mission and ethos of Catholic education
• Sound knowledge of Church teaching on education and the Catholic curriculum
• Proven senior leadership experience in education systems or complex organisations
• Exceptional ability to communicate, build collaborative relationships and engage diverse partners
• Strong understanding of contemporary educational research, policy and school improvement

Qualifications and Eligibility

• Postgraduate qualifications in educational leadership, Theology or Religious Education or equivalent
• Practising Catholic with an active connection to a parish or worshipping community and ability to obtain a reference from a parish priest
• Ability to obtain Working with Vulnerable People and Working with Children clearances
• Driver’s licence

What we can offer

• An executive leadership role with system-wide influence
• A collaborative and faith-driven executive team
• Professional development and leadership formation opportunities
• Salary and conditions commensurate with executive responsibility

Next Steps

Catholic Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn Education Limited has engaged ANZUK Executive to support the search process.

For further information or to request an Applicant Information Pack please contact Mitch Jones, ANZUK Executive:

• [email protected]
• 02 8029 6955

Applications must address the selection criteria outlined in the Applicant Information Pack. 

Applications will be received until 5pm AEDT Monday 9th February 2026. 

Catholic Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn Education Limited is committed to the safety, wellbeing and protection of children and young people and is an equal opportunity employer.