ECEC SERVICES LEADER

Catholic Education Northern Territory; Katherine; On-site; AUD 102,000 - 138,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary $120,000 + superannuation

Funded professional development

Employee Assistance Program

Discounted school fees for children

Job summary

Catholic Education Northern Territory (CENT) invites applications for the ECEC Services Leader at St Joseph's Catholic College, Katherine. This CEO-level position oversees the ELC and OSHC services, guiding teams and aligning practice with the CENT Quality Improvement Plan in a Catholic context.

The role reports to the Leader of Education and Care Services at CENT and requires a Diploma in ECEC with leadership experience, current checks, and a commitment to continuous improvement across two

Qualifications

• Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care (or equivalent) with HLTAID012 and leadership experience.
• Demonstrated coaching/mentoring to guide staff toward quality practice.
• Working with Children clearance (NT Ochre Card), National Police Check, PRODA RA, and mandatory safety training.

Responsibilities

• Lead operational, regulatory and pedagogical excellence across two services in two sites.
• Nominated Supervisor role with oversight of budgets, enrolments, staff ratios and daily operations.
• Drive EYLF NQS/MTOP implementation and maintain continuous improvement systems.
• Build partnerships with families, school leadership and health professionals within a Catholic community.

Skills

Team Leadership

Budget & Operations

Regulatory & Quality

Stakeholder Collaboration

Education

Diploma in ECEC (or equivalent)

HLTAID012

Tools

1Place compliance platform

Xplor CCMS

Job description

ECEC (EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND CARE) SERVICES LEADER

COMMENCING NOV 2026

St Joseph's Catholic College, Katherine provides education for students from the Early Learning Centre (ELC) to Year 12, in the heart of Katherine.

The ELC is located on the primary side of the College and caters for 40+ children aged 3 to 5 years each day. The centre is supported on site by qualified and dedicated educators, a cook and a bookkeeper.

Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) also operates from the primary side of the College, in the multipurpose room. The service has a capacity of 45 children from Transition to Year 6 and is led by an OSHC Team Leader, supported by dedicated educators.

The Position

The ECEC Services Leader is a CEO appointment based at the school's ECEC, reporting to the Leader of Education and Care Services at the Catholic Education Office, Northern Territory.

If you are an experienced early childhood education and care leader with a passion for mentoring teams and driving educational excellence and would like to continue to have an impact on our children, families and community, please apply.

As ECEC Services Leader, you will drive operational, regulatory, and pedagogical excellence across two services. As the Nominated Supervisor, you will lead and empower our educational teams, align practice with our Quality Improvement Plan (QIP), and nurture a safe, inclusive and values-driven environment.

What We Offer

• Salary of $120,000 plus superannuation
• The opportunity to lead early childhood services within a rich multicultural Catholic community
• Funded professional development
• Employee Assistance Program
• Discounted school fees for children attending the college
• Leave loading equal to 17.5% of 4 weeks' salary

Key Responsibilities

The ECEC Services Leader will have experience in:

• Team Leadership & Development: Coach, mentor and inspire staff through effective induction, professional learning and positive culture building.
• Service Management: Oversee budgets, enrolments, staff ratios and day-to-day operations of both services in full alignment with National Law, Regulations and CENT policies.
• Educational & Compliance Excellence: Drive EYLF V2, MTOP V2 and NQS implementation; maintain continuous improvement system platforms.
• Community & Culture: Build collaborative partnerships with families, school leadership and allied health professionals, while embedding Catholic identity, values and inclusive practices.

Essential Criteria

The successful applicant will:

• Hold a minimum of a Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care (or equivalent) and HLTAID012, with demonstrated leadership experience in an early childhood education and care setting.
• Demonstrate well-developed coaching and mentoring skills that give staff practical guidance and ensure quality practice and outcomes.
• Demonstrate experience building a capable and engaged workforce.
• Hold, or be eligible to obtain, a Working with Children clearance (NT Ochre Card), National Police Check and PRODA RA number, and complete Mandatory National Child Safety Training (Foundation and Advanced).

Desirable Criteria

• Demonstrated capacity to lead improvement, innovation and change using evidence-based decision-making.
• Experience with the 1Place compliance platform and Xplor CCMS.
• Active membership of a Catholic Eucharistic community committed to Catholic values and worship.

This is a leadership role for an experienced mentor and strategic thinker. If you are an experienced early childhood education and care leader with a passion for mentoring teams and driving educational excellence - join Catholic Education Northern Territory (CENT) and make a lasting impact on our children, families and community.

Applications close: 23/10/2026

The Catholic Education Office reserves the right to close this advertisement early or extend it beyond the closing date.