Deputy Head of Secondary School

Immanuel Lutheran College Inc; Sunshine Coast Regional; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Senior leadership remuneration package

Employer superannuation

Additional leave

Discounted school fees

Apple devices provided

Paid parental leave

Employee assistance program

Job summary

Immanuel Lutheran College on the Sunshine Coast invites applications for Deputy Head of Secondary School, commencing January 2027. This senior leadership role sits on the Executive Leadership Team, shaping educational direction, student experience and pastoral care for Years 7 to 12.

Reporting to the Head of Secondary School, you will lead learning, wellbeing, culture and operational priorities, collaborating with College leaders to realise the school's mission and Lutheran identity within a

Qualifications

• Current registration, or eligibility for registration, with the Queensland College of Teachers.
• Appropriate teaching qualifications and significant teaching experience.
• Demonstrated leadership experience within a secondary educational setting.
• Strong knowledge of teaching, learning, student wellbeing and adolescent development.

Responsibilities

• Provide senior educational, pastoral, cultural and operational leadership across Years 7–12.
• Lead and develop Secondary School staff and implement strategic priorities.
• Collaborate with College leaders to reflect the College's mission, vision and Lutheran identity.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Communication

Strategic thinking

Interpersonal skills

Education

Teaching qualification

QCT registration

Job description

Deputy Head of Secondary School (Commencing January 2027) based on the amazing Sunshine Coast, Qld

Immanuel Lutheran College is seeking an accomplished and highly relational educational leader to join ourExecutiveLeadership Team as Deputy Head of Secondary School. The Deputy Head of Secondary will be a member of the College’s Executive Leadership Team, recognising the significant leadership contribution of the role and the importance of strong P–12 alignment.

The College’s leadership structures will continue to evolve in response to the strategic priorities, size and complexity of the College. Accordingly, leadership architecture may be reviewed and adjusted from time to time to ensure the structure remains fit for purpose.

This is an important senior leadership opportunity to contribute to the educational direction, culture, student experience and day-to-day leadership of Years 7 to 12 within a thriving P to 12 College community.

Working closely with the Head of Secondary School, the Deputy Head will play a key role in translating the College's strategic priorities into strong educational, pastoral and operational outcomes across the Secondary School.

About the role

The Deputy Head of Secondary School provides senior educational, pastoral, cultural and operational leadership across Years 7 to 12 and supports the Head of Secondary School in the effective leadership and management of the Secondary School.

As a member of the Executive Leadership Team, you will work collaboratively with the Head of Secondary School, Principal and other College leaders to ensure the College's mission, vision, values and strategic priorities are reflected in the everyday experience of students, staff and families.

You will provide leadership across:

• learning, teaching and continuous educational improvement
• student wellbeing, pastoral care, behaviour and safeguarding
• Secondary School culture, identity and student experience
• leadership, support, performance and development of Secondary School staff
• implementation of strategic and operational priorities
• student engagement, leadership, pathways and co-curricular experiences
• effective day-to-day operations, systems, resourcing and risk management
• complex student, parent and staff matters
• relationships with students, families and the broader College community
• the authentic expression of the College's Christian and Lutheran identity.

A key component of the role will be providing visible leadership across the Secondary School, ensuring consistency in expectations, strengthening staff capability and supporting effective decision‑making and communication.

The Deputy Head will also act on behalf of the Head of Secondary School when required and will contribute to the broader leadership and strategic direction of the College through membership of the Executive Leadership Team.

You will be a highly visible and approachable leader who combines sound judgement with a genuine understanding of adolescents, staff and school communities. You will establish clear expectations, build strong relationships and contribute to a culture in which students and staff are known, valued, supported and challenged to flourish.

About you

You are an experienced educational leader with the credibility, judgement and relational capability to contribute effectively to the leadership of a complex Secondary School environment.

You bring a contemporary perspective to education while remaining strongly connected to the day-to-day experience of students and staff. You can translate strategic priorities into practical action, lead improvement initiatives and build alignment and consistency across teams.

You are confident managing complex student, staff and parent matters and are able to communicate with clarity, professionalism, empathy and sound judgement.

You understand that effective leadership requires both support and accountability. You build trust, establish clear expectations, develop the capability of others and are prepared to address difficult matters constructively and consistently.

You are also comfortable working as part of a senior leadership team, contributing your perspective while supporting collective decisions and the broader strategic direction of the College.

Importantly, you will demonstrate an authentic commitment to the Christian ethos of Immanuel Lutheran College and contribute actively to the faith, formation and Lutheran identity of the College.

Essential

• Current registration, or eligibility for registration, with the Queensland College of Teachers.
• Appropriate teaching qualifications and significant teaching experience.
• Demonstrated leadership experience within a secondary educational setting.
• Strong contemporary knowledge of teaching, learning, student wellbeing and adolescent development.
• Demonstrated capacity to lead staff, support positive culture and contribute to educational and organisational improvement.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex student, staff and parent matters.
• Highly developed interpersonal, communication, organisational and influencing capability.
• Demonstrated commitment to child safety, safeguarding and high professional standards.
• Demonstrated commitment to the Christian ethos and Lutheran identity of Immanuel Lutheran College.

Desirable

• Postgraduate qualifications in educational leadership, administration or a related field.
• Significant leadership experience across Years 7 to 12.
• Experience leading significant educational, pastoral or operational improvement initiatives.
• Experience developing leadership capability in others.
• Experience within Lutheran or other faith-based education settings.
• Lutheran Education Australia leadership accreditation, or a willingness to work towards appropriate accreditation.

Our College

Welcome to Immanuel Lutheran College, where every individual is empowered to thrive on their unique journey. We do not believe in a one-size-fits-all approach to learning. Instead, we focus on understanding and embracing the unique qualities of each student, striving to provide a differentiated education where the whole person is the whole point.

Our goal is not simply to educate, but to ignite confidence, curiosity and a lifelong love of learning in every student.

Situated on the Sunshine Coast, Immanuel provides a contemporary and supportive learning environment in which students are encouraged to flourish academically, socially, emotionally and spiritually.

Child safety is paramount, and we are committed to creating an environment in which every student feels known, supported and safe.

Explore more about Immanuel atwww.immanuel.qld.edu.auand be part of our ongoing journey of growth and development.

WhyImmanuel?

Joining Immanuel means becoming part of a values-led community that recognises the person behind the position and invests in the people who lead it.

We offer:

• A competitive senior leadership remuneration package.
• Additional employer superannuation.
• Additional leave each year.
• Additional financial benefits.
• Apple devices provided.
• Discounted school fees.
• 14 weeks gender-neutral paid parental leave.
• A collaborative, experienced and supportiveExecutiveLeadership Team.
• Personalised professional learning, leadership development and career growth.
• Free 24/7 Employee Assistance Program support for you and your family.
• The opportunity to play an important role in shaping the future of the Sunshine Coast's oldest independent school during an exciting period of growth and strategic development.

Applications close Monday 19thof October 2026

For a confidential discussion or to learn more, please contact Cassie Collins, Director of People and Culture, at********@immanuel.qld.edu.au.