• Expand your educational leadership across 13 Catholic schools
• Join a fantastic National Office team in a large mission focussed organisation
• Competitive salary and benefits, including salary packaging available
  • 5 Year Fixed Term Contract
  • Fulltime but consideration will be given to 0.8FTE

An exciting opportunity has become available for a Head of Education to support Mercy Education Limited’s (Mercy Education) network of schools. This role which is located in East Melbourne is part of Mercy Education’s National Office team.

About the organisation

Mercy Education is a company limited by guarantee which leads, governs and supports thirteen Mercy Colleges across Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia.

Continuing the rich history and tradition of these colleges founded by the Sisters of Mercy, we are inspired by the ministry of Venerable Catherine McAuley and the work of the Sisters in being living witnesses of God’s mercy in the world.  Along with the thirteen MEL Colleges, MEL supports the works and promotes the Mercy ethos in twenty-seven Mercy-affiliated schools across Australia.

Our vision is to continue to enrich a dynamic community of Catholic schools committed to the spirit of Mercy.

This educational ministry is one of several not-for-profit works of Mercy Ministry Companions (MMC), a Ministerial Public Juridic Person (MPJP) operating throughout Australia.

About the Role

Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, you’ll be responsible for supporting members schools in delivering excellence in education, student performance reporting and school registrations and engagement with regulatory authorities. You will also support the CEO and Principals with school leader selection, appointments professional development and appraisals.  Other responsibilities of the role include:

• Oversee the development, implementation and continuous evolution of Mercy Colleges Review Framework, ensuring that all colleges within the Mercy community are delivering high quality, evidence-based, student-focused learning and formation in the Mercy Tradition.
• In collaboration with the CEO, ensure appropriate accountability, capability building and development are established and maintained for all Principals
• Assist Principals appoint and appraise school senior leaders (e.g. deputy principals)
• In collaboration with the Mercy Education’s Human Resources Manager, support professional development programs for College Advisory Councils, senior school staff and student leaders to appropriately reflect and strengthen our mission and ethos
• Develop and implement a program for engagement with, and appropriate support of, Mercy’s affiliated schools
• Lead and oversee Mercy Education’s communications strategy, including communications with internal and external stakeholders (eg: Mercy Ed newsletter, website, annual report)
• Liaise with school personnel on social justice programs such as Seeds of Justice and other ISMAPNG social action initiatives.
• Liaise with school personnel regarding Mercy Education’s national student activities (Frayne Speech Festival, Seeds of Justice Seminars).
• Establish and maintain cooperative and collaborative working with relationships with personnel from Mercy Ministry Companions; the Institute of Sisters of Mercy Australia and Papua New Guinea (ISMAPNG); Dublin Pilgrimage & Ethos Programs.
• Provide leadership, supervision and support to Mercy Education’s Communications Officer.
• Act as Executive Officer for the Board’s Mission and Education Committee.
• Deputise for the Chief Executive as appropriate.

About you

This role is well suited for an experienced educational leader (ideally Principal or Deputy Principal) who has a strong understanding of Catholic education and looking to expand their leadership by inspiring innovative and excellent education across multiple schools. The successful candidate will also possess the following:

• Be able to demonstrate a commitment to the mission, vision and values of Mercy Education and the ministerial works of the Mercy Ministry Companions

• Extensive experience in school leadership roles, including at Deputy Principal or Principal level
• Demonstrated ability to inspire and lead the provision of innovative and excellent education
• Demonstrates a firm commitment to Catholic Faith and Education in the Mercy tradition

• Relevant professional and tertiary qualifications ideally at a post-graduate level in education

• Demonstrated commitment to continuous improvement which drives strategic planning
• Demonstrated experience in personnel development, management and organisational leadership
• Highly developed interpersonal skills, including the ability to work collaboratively with a broad range of stakeholders

Benefits

• Competitive salary available (Category A Deputy Principal – Vic Catholic Education Multi-Enterprise Agreement)
• Salary packaging available
• Hybrid working arrangement as per policy, currently one day from home per week
• Onsite parking when available
• Ideal East Melbourne location near public transport/ stations

Why Join Us?

You’ll be part of an organisation grounded in the values of Justice, Compassion, Hospitality, Service, Respect and Courage, contributing to the mission-aligned work of Mercy Colleges across Australia.

How to apply

If this role sounds exciting to you then we would love to hear from you. To apply, please email a cover letter together with your resume. to our HR Manager, Justin Groenewaldt at [email protected] or 03 9377 5913. Justin can also be contacted for more information and a copy of the position description.

Applications close on 12 February 2026.

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Mercy places a high priority on the safety of the students at our colleges. We undertake candidate screening in the form of reference checks as part of our recruitment process. This position requires Working with Children Check compliance for each state in which Mercy Education operates, as well as a National Police Records Check.