General Manager, Learning and School Support (Assistant Director)

anzuk; Sydney; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Diocese of Lismore Catholic Schools seeks a high-impact General Manager, Learning and School Support (Assistant Director) to guide learning, teaching and school support across a dynamic network of Catholic schools in NSW.

The role leads specialist teams in Learning and Teaching, Inclusion, School Improvement, Digital Technology for Learning and Vocational Education, partnering with regional leaders to improve teacher practice and student outcomes in diverse communities.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Principal and/or senior leader within an education system.
• Postgraduate qualifications in Religious Education, Theology and/or Educational Leadership.
• Current NESA accreditation.
• Ability to lead improvement in a complex, multi-layered educational environment.
• Strong strategic planning and system-alignment skills.
• Exceptional relational leadership, communication and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership across Learning and Teaching, Inclusion, School Improvement, Digital Technology for Learning and Vocational Education.
• Translate school-level insights into tailored programs, professional learning and system-wide strategies.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Executive leadership

Communication & facilitation

Education

Master’s degree or higher in Religious Education/Theology/Educational Leadership

Current NESA accreditation

Job description

General Manager, Learning and School Support (Assistant Director)

General Manager, Learning and School Support (Assistant Director)
Diocese of Lismore Catholic Schools

Location:Tweed Heads, Lismore, CoffsHarbouror Port Macquarie

Tenure:Full-time, 5-year recurring contract

Commencement:January 2027

Applications are warmly invited for the position ofGeneral Manager, Learning and School Support(Assistant Director)with Diocese of Lismore Catholic Schools. This is an exciting opportunity for a highly skilled,strategicand experienced Catholic education leader to form part of a senior executive team shaping learning,teachingand school support across a diverse and dynamic network of schools.

The General Manager will lead the Diocese’s specialist capability in learning and teaching, ensuring schools have access to high-quality, evidence-informed support that strengthens teacher practice, builds schoolcapabilityand improves outcomes for students.

This is an opportunity to join a significant Catholic education community, work in close partnership with school and system leaders, and contribute meaningfully to the Mission of Catholic Education across the Diocese of Lismore.

About Diocese of Lismore Catholic Schools The Diocese of Lismore Catholic Schoolsprovidesa range of services to support approximately 3,500 staff across 45 vibrant and dynamic Catholic school communities, serving more than 18,000 students.

Catholic schools have playedan important rolein the Diocese of Lismore since the nineteenth century. Today, under the pastoral leadership of the Bishop of Lismore, schools across the Diocese provide faith-filled,inclusiveand caring environments where young people are supported to grow in faith, learning and living well.

Stretching along the coastal strip of New South Wales from Tweed Heads in the north to Laurieton in the south, and west to Dorrigo on the Great Dividing Range, the Diocese offers a unique opportunity to lead across a diverse and connected regional education system.

At the heart of Diocese of Lismore Catholic Schools is a commitment to the evangelising Mission of the Church and to enabling students to experience fullness of life.

The Position The General Manager, Learningand School Support (Assistant Director), as a member of the DLCS Leadership team, is a senior leadership role with influence across the broad strategic direction of Catholic Education in the Diocese of Lismore. The role reports to the Executive General Manager, School Services, and is a key member of the School Services portfolio.

This highly strategic senior leadership role leads specialist teams across Learning and Teaching, Inclusion, School Improvement, Digital Technology for Learningand Vocational Education. Working in close partnership with Regional Assistant Directors, School Services Partners, Principals and senior system leaders, the General Manager ensures specialistexpertise is responsive,coherentand aligned with Diocesan priorities.

The successful candidate will provide strategic leadership to ensure schools receive the right support, at the right time, in ways that are grounded in evidence and responsive to local context. They will translate school-level insight into tailored programs, professional learning and system-wide strategies that strengthen teacher practice, support schoolimprovementand improve student outcomes.

This role requires a leader who can work across complex system settings, build trusted relationships,provideauthoritativeadviceand lead teams with clarity,purposeand a deep commitment to Catholic education.

Essential Criteria The successful candidate will bring:

• A commitment to the Mission of Catholic Education and to embedding Catholic values and purpose in leadership practice and decision-making.


• Proven experience as aPrincipaland/or senior leader within an education system.


• Relevant teaching and postgraduate qualifications atMaster’slevel or above in Religious Education,Theologyand/or Educational Leadership.


• Current NESA accreditation.


• Demonstrated ability to lead improvement in a complex, multi-layered educational environment.


• Proven capability in strategic planning, systemalignmentand evidence-informed program design.


• Strong educational leadershipexpertise, including a deep understanding of curriculum, regulatoryrequirementsand contemporary issues in education.


• Exceptional relational leadership, communication,facilitationand problem-solving skills.


• The ability to listen deeply, advocate, negotiate and communicate with clarity across school,systemand community contexts.

The Lifestyle Whether you are drawn to the vibrant, dual-state energy of the Tweed Coast, the coastal hubs of Coffs Harbour or Port Macquarie, or the heart of the Northern Rivers in Lismore, this role offers an exceptional NSW regional lifestyle.

The Diocese provides access to thriving coastal communities, strong local schools, naturalbeautyand the authentic charm of regional living, while still offering the amenities and opportunities expected of a major education system.

Expressions of interest close5pm AEDT Monday 5th October 2026.