Head of Senior School, PLC Melbourne

Hutton Consulting Australia; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Presbyterian Ladies’ College (PLC), Melbourne, seeks an accomplished Head of Senior School to lead Years 7–12, shaping the tone, culture and educational experience across the senior years. The role encompasses academic leadership, wellbeing, and daily operations within a framework that values student voice and inclusive pathways.

The successful candidate will translate strategy into a cohesive student experience, strengthen middle leadership, and model a faith-informed, community-centred

Qualifications

• Applicants must hold an education degree and VIT registration or eligibility for registration.
• Postgraduate qualifications, or progress towards these, are highly regarded.

Responsibilities

• Shape the tone, culture and educational experience of Years 7 to 12.
• Lead academic leadership, wellbeing, co-curricular participation and daily operations.
• Translate strategy into a cohesive student experience balancing academic rigour, wellbeing and delight in learning.
• Develop middle leaders and staff through mentoring, feedback and professional learning.
• Engage students and families to build belonging and confidence in the Senior School.

Education

Education degree qualifications

VIT registration or eligibility for registration

Postgraduate qualifications

Job description

Established in 1875, Presbyterian Ladies’ College (PLC), Melbourne, is a Christian independent school with a longstanding commitment to girls’ education. Its 16-hectare campus in Melbourne’s east provides a connected setting for learning, wellbeing and personal development, with boarding available from Year 7. PLC seeks to prepare young women of character who will flourish in every aspect of their lives and change the world for good.

Reporting to the Principal and serving on the Executive, the Head of Senior School will shape the tone, culture and educational experience of Years 7 to 12. The role brings together academic leadership, wellbeing, co-curricular participation, staff development and daily operations, with a clear focus on every student being known, supported and challenged.

Working with Senior School leaders and colleagues across the College, the Head will translate strategy into a cohesive student experience that balances academic rigour, wellbeing and delight in learning. Priorities include strengthening middle leadership, embedding research-informed practice, promoting student voice and agency, and supporting inclusive pathways through adolescence and beyond school. Visible engagement with students and families will be central to building belonging and sustaining confidence in the Senior School.

PLC seeks an accomplished teacher and educational leader who brings strategic capability, practical judgement and a relational approach. The successful candidate will develop others, manage complex matters with care and clarity, and model Christian faith through a deep commitment to the College’s purpose, mission and community.

Key Selection Criteria

• Commitment to Christian faith and leadership that sustains PLC’s mission and a positive, compassionate and inclusive Senior School culture.
• Demonstrated capacity to strengthen teaching, learning and academic care in girls’ education, integrating student wellbeing, engagement and appropriate pathways across Years 7 to 12.
• Proven ability to translate College strategy into Senior School improvement, using research, data and student voice to evaluate and refine practice.
• Strong capacity to develop middle leaders and staff through mentoring, feedback and professional learning, building collective responsibility for student outcomes.
• Demonstrated expertise in Senior School operations, budgeting, compliance, child safety and student conduct, exercising sound judgement and effective prioritisation.
• Exceptional capacity to build authentic relationships with adolescents, engage families and colleagues, and strengthen transitions and participation in the College community.

This is a full-time executive appointment on a fixed-term, five-year contract. Commencement date is negotiable, upon the appointment of the successful candidate.

Applicants must hold education degree qualifications, VIT registration or eligibility for registration, and a valid Working with Children Check. Postgraduate qualifications, or progress towards these, will be highly regarded.

Appointments are subject to a satisfactory National Police Check and required compliance training and certification.

PLC is committed to being a Child Safe organisation where the safety, wellbeing and best interests of children and young people are at the centre of all it does. The College has zero tolerance for child abuse. All staff must uphold its child safety policies and applicable child protection obligations.

Applications close 5pm AEDT, Friday 13 November 2026.