Head of the Centre for Innovation & Research

Presbyterian Ladies' College - Melbourne; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Presbyterian Ladies' College (PLC), Melbourne, seeks an inaugural Head of the Centre for Innovation and Research. You will establish the Centre, shape its agenda and operating model, and build partnerships across university and professional networks to connect inquiry with classroom practice from ELC to Year 12.

The role focuses on teacher practice, coaching, digital learning and AI, with staff development and wellbeing embedded in the research-informed approach.

Qualifications

• Applicants must hold education degree qualifications and VIT registration or eligibility; Working with Children Check required.
• Postgraduate qualifications in education, research, psychology, educational leadership or related field expected; doctoral qualifications highly regarded.

Responsibilities

• Establish and lead the Centre for Innovation and Research.
• Translate research into classroom practice and design evidence-based initiatives.
• Build university and professional partnerships and support staff development.
• Lead staff coaching, inquiry, and professional learning; oversee resource priorities and budget.

Skills

Educational leadership

Research translation

Stakeholder collaboration

Budget management

Education

Education degree qualifications

Postgraduate qualifications in education/research/psychology/leadership

Doctoral qualifications or substantial educational research experience

Job description

Applications close 5pm AEDT, Friday 13 November 2026.

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 joining the Executive, the inaugural Head will establish the Centre for Innovation and Research. This offers an opportunity to shape its research agenda, operating model, team and partnerships, connecting educational inquiry with the daily experience of students and staff from ELC to Year 12.

The Centre will bring together teacher practice, coaching and professional growth, research and impact, and digital technology and artificial intelligence. Working alongside educational leaders, the Head will strengthen staff inquiry and coaching, translate research into classroom practice, and lead a purposeful approach to digital learning and AI. Student voice and participation will inform research and educational design, with initiatives evaluated for their contribution to learning and wellbeing.

PLC seeks an intellectually curious educational leader with demonstrated research capability and the ability to turn ideas into sustained improvements in practice. The successful candidate will build university and professional partnerships, support staff to share their expertise, and develop the Centre's contribution to girls' education. Collaborative leadership and active support for the College's Christian ethos, values and mission will be essential.

Key Selection Criteria

• Commitment to supporting and upholding PLC's Christian ethos, values and inclusive culture.
• Demonstrated expertise in educational research and its translation into developmentally appropriate teaching, learning and wellbeing practice from ELC to Year 12.
• Proven capacity to establish and evaluate research and innovation initiatives, including purposeful digital learning and AI, with measurable educational impact.
• Strong capacity to lead coaching, professional inquiry and staff development, building teacher and leadership capability through reflection, feedback and collaboration.
• Demonstrated ability to establish the Centre's structures, programs and resource priorities, with effective budget management and ethical approaches to research and technology.
• Exceptional capacity to build university and professional partnerships, engage students in inquiry and communicate research and practice within and beyond PLC.

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 in education, research, psychology, educational leadership or a related field are expected; doctoral qualifications or substantial educational research experience 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.