Leader (Principal) on Assignment, Orbis

Department for Education, South Australia; Adelaide; On-site; AUD 130,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Department for Education in South Australia seeks a Leader (Principal) on Assignment within Orbis to lead co-design and evaluation of statewide professional learning for leaders and teachers. The role emphasizes equity, excellence, and student wellbeing, with high-level expertise in learning design and facilitation.

The successful candidate will contribute to strategic collaboration, negotiate complex partnerships, and influence continuous improvement across schools and preschools.

Qualifications

• Essential: A tertiary qualification in education and current full teacher registration.
• Desirable: Experience leading in a large and complex educational setting.

Responsibilities

• Lead co-design and evaluation of state-wide strategic professional learning for South Australian leaders and teachers.
• Develop expert teaching and quality leadership for a thriving public education system with a strong focus on equity and wellbeing.
• Provide high-level expertise in learning design, facilitation of professional learning, and adaptive leadership, influencing continuous improvement.

Skills

Learning design

Professional learning facilitation

Leadership

Strategic collaboration

Negotiation

Education

Tertiary qualification in education

Full teacher registration

Experience leading in large educational setting

Job description

Department for Education

Job reference: 862893

Location: 5007 - HINDMARSH

Job status: Short Term Contract

Eligibility: SA Public Sector Employees only

Why work with us

Every child and young person deserves a great education.

We have a strategy that aims to unlock every child’s potential now and into the future, one that in partnership with learners, students, parents and the wider South Australian community will build a world-leading public education system. One that is equitable and prioritises learning and wellbeing.

Together we will make our education system the best it can be.

When our children and young people thrive, so do our communities and our state.

About The Role

Orbis is responsible for the Professional Learning Strategy which sets the direction for professional learning (PL) across the Department for Education. The strategy focuses on building capability for teachers and leaders in our schools and preschools with principles and approaches relevant for the broader workforce. Orbis leads PL internally and works with a range of partners to drive Our Strategy for Public Education in South Australia. As part of the Orbis leadership team, the Leader (Principal) on Assignment, Orbis leads the co-design and evaluation of state-wide strategic PL for South Australian leaders and teachers. This includes developing expert teaching and quality leadership for a thriving public education system with a strong focus on equity and excellence for learning, student agency and well-being.

The role requires a high level of expertise in learning design, facilitation of professional learning, technical and adaptive leadership ability, high level strategic collaboration, highly developed negotiation skills and the ability to influence continuous improvement through others. Successful experience as a site leader in an educational setting is highly desirable.

Qualifications

Essential: A tertiary qualification in education and current full teacher registration.

Desirable: Experience leading in a large and complex educational setting, ensuring the translation of priorities into strong results.

Special conditions

Applicants must be either currently registered or able to be registered to teach in South Australia. If not permanent with the Education Department, applicants must meet the department’s minimum employment requirements before taking up an appointment.

Minimum departmental employment requirements for teachers include recognised teaching qualifications and registration as a teacher in South Australia and, in addition, for all applicants who are not permanent with the department will include an active on-line application in the Employable Teacher Register (ETR), a cleared Education Department Employment Declaration, Australian residency or current work permit, Reporting Abuse and Neglect training (previously known as Mandatory Notification), and an approved First Aid Certificate.

At The Conclusion Of a Term Of Appointment

• Permanent Education Department employees will be placed according to the terms of their substantive appointment and the policies in operation at the time
• Employees originally from other public sector organisations with a right of return, will be managed according to the provisions of the Public Sector Act 2009 (SA) and any applicable public sector determination or policies
• Applicants who are not permanent employees of the department do not hold placement rights with the Department for Education at the conclusion of the appointment.

The successful applicant is required to gain a Department for Human Services (DHS) working with children check (WWCC) prior to being employed which is required to be renewed every five years before expiry.

The incumbent will be required to undertake RRHAN –EC (Responding to Risks of Harm, Abuse and Neglect - Education Care) Facilitator Lead (Masterclass) extended course or the online (Fundamentals) course which will be required to be updated every three years.

For all other Special Conditions please refer to the attached Position Description.

Remuneration

Nominal salary matched to Principal Band A (1.0 FTE) + superannuation (12%)

Enquiries

Enquiries can be directed to Lorraine Stewart, Assistant Director, Orbis, via tel: [phone] or email: [email protected]

People of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent and/or those who have a disability are strongly encouraged to apply.

Additional Note

This is a full-time contract role (1.0 FTE), initial 12-month term contract.

Start date negotiable

Applications close:

08/11/2026 11:30 PM

Attachments

• Application Cover Sheet.pdf
• How to Apply.pdf
• Position Description - Leader (Principal) on Assignment, Orbis.pdf
• VL233 Pre-employment declaration.pdf

Flexibility Statement

The South Australian public sector promotes diversity and flexible ways of working including part-time. Applicants are encouraged to discuss the flexible working arrangements for this role.