Brisbane Catholic Education (BCE)

Chief Operating Officer

• Join an executive team delivering an education to believe in.
• Drive operational alignment to the Strategic Plan 2025-2027 enhancing educational outcomes for more than 77,000 students across 146 schools.
• $391,000 to $450,000 total remuneration package. Five-year term

About Brisbane Catholic Education

Brisbane Catholic Education (BCE) is the second largest non-Government employer in Queensland. Proudly holding the title of the largest diocese in the state with over 77,000 students and 146 schools. BCE is committed to delivering outstanding educational experiences to students from Prep to Year 12 throughout the region.

For more than 160 years, BCE has educated generations of families in their schools covering the city, coast and country in delivering an innovative and holistic education. BCE schools focus on teaching the values that last a lifetime, such as faith, kindness, honesty and compassion, pursuing not only academic excellence but excellence in all pursuits.

BCE’s core values of Excellence, Integrity, Justice, and Hope are essential in fulfilling their mission to teach, challenge, and transform through service, support, and leadership within the Archdiocese of Brisbane.

The Future of Brisbane Catholic Education

The Brisbane Catholic Education Strategic Plan 2025 – 2027: an education to believe in sets their direction for the next three years as the organisation continues to pursue the vision of ‘we are a faith-filled learning community creating a better future’.

BCE’s strategic priorities will focus on connecting communities, delivering thriving Catholic schools, maximising potential and optimising conditions for success.

By 2027, BCE’s strategic outcomes will deliver:

• Deeper understanding of the Catholic Tradition for all
• Thriving culture of inclusivity, innovation and excellence inspired by faith
• Outstanding learning and teaching outcomes underpinned by excellence and equity
• Vibrant communities where every student is actively engaged in their learning
• Leverage our system capabilities to support our schools.

The Role of Chief Operating Officer

To execute this new strategy, BCE is seeking to appoint an accomplished operational leader to the role of Chief Operating Officer. As a key member of the executive team, reporting to the Executive Director, the Chief Operating Officer will be accountable for operational and enterprise alignment to BCE’s new Strategic Plan.

This newly created role will seek to establish operational excellence as well as driving strategic direction and planning towards achieving BCE’s Vision, Mission, and Values.

The Chief Operating Officer will act as the strategic partner between the Executive Director and the Executive Team, to ensure system alignment of the transformation programs/initiatives/reviews including coordinating strategic program planning, sequencing, and cross functional integration, critically assessing execution and achievement of deliverables.

We are seeking a proven leader with a demonstrated track record of leading organisational strategic planning, integrating complex transformation and successfully delivering and executing enterprise-wide strategic initiatives in large complex organisations. Ideally the candidate will be able to draw on strong program management experience equipped with roboust change management skills to facilitate organisational transformation. The executive will also have exemplary communication and interpersonal skills with strong consultation, negotiation and engagement skills with extensive experience of maintaining effective working relationships with executives and staff at all levels.

Role responsibilities

• Collaborate with the Executive Team to ensure system alignment and a high- performing team culture for Catholic education in the Archdiocese of Brisbane.
• Provide strategic leadership and accountability for the BCE Strategic Plan, overseeing the development and delivery of strategic initiatives.
• Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders to enhance operational efficiency and define new strategies with the Executive Director and other
• Act as an adviser and strategic partner to the Executive Director, liaising with Executives, senior leaders, and schools, with oversight of strategic goals and
• Assess and address issues hindering organisational effectiveness, informing the Executive Director of significant risks and management
• Lead the Chief Operating Office, including Strategy and Sustainability, Project Management, and Communications, to drive high performance and align with BCE’s vision and strategic plan.
• Provide comprehensive reporting on the strategic plan’s implementation and achievement to the Catholic Education Council and its sub-committees.
• Ensure legal and statutory obligations are met through a strong compliance culture, effective management systems, and clear accountability from leaders.

Korn Ferry are supporting BCE for this executive appointment. To enquire or apply please submit your CV and Cover Letter to Lachie Ansell at [email protected]

The closing date for applications is Sunday 20 October 2024.