School Development Partner

Catholic Education Northern Territory; Darwin; On-site; AUD 178,000 - 217,000; Full time

Job summary

Catholic Education NT is seeking a passionate and experienced Catholic Educational Leader to join the Catholic Education Office Executive team as School Development Partner, leading a major program of system-wide school transformation.

The role covers strategic planning, execution and delivery of systemic projects, including the amalgamation of six schools into three Colleges and the transformation of St John's Catholic College.

Qualifications

• Proven senior leadership experience at school or broader education system level.
• Experience in hands-on administration, planning and implementation of system-wide education change or mergers.
• Ability to develop a Strategic Visioning Document that serves as roadmap and growth narrative.
• Demonstrated financial and organisational acumen enabling sustainable outcomes for Catholic schools.
• Proven experience in change management with clear communications plans and training needs.
• Current NT Working with Children Check and valid Driver's Licence.

Responsibilities

• Strategy – plan and execute growth solutions and system-wide transformations aligned to mission.
• Risk & Reporting – provide strategic progress updates to executives and council for governance.
• Execution – manage mergers of school communities and related processes to support growth.
• Stakeholder Management – lead engagement with families, staff, clergy and CALT through committees.

Skills

Senior leadership

Change management

Strategic planning

Risk reporting

Stakeholder management

Financial acumen

Governance

Travel to remote sites

Driver's Licence

Working with Children Check

Education

Tertiary qualification

Job description

FIXED TERM (36 MONTHS) | COMMENCING TERM 4 2026

Catholic Education NT is seeking a passionate and experienced Catholic Educational Leader to join the Catholic Education Office Executive team as School Development Partner as we drive forward a significant program of system-wide school transformation.

About us:

CENT includes a network of 18 schools in the Northern Territory (five colleges, seven primary schools, one flexible learning centre and five remote schools), Early Learning Centres and the Catholic Education head office (CEO) located in Berrimah.

The Position:

The School Development Partner is responsible for the strategic planning, execution and delivery of Systemic School Development Projects as directed by the Director of Catholic Education NT, with the support of the Catholic Education Council NT (CECNT). The role is primarily focused on the amalgamation of six existing schools into three new Colleges, including the transformation of the St John's Catholic College site.

This will be driven by clearly articulated understandings of Catholic Identity and Mission, alongside 'Educational Briefs' defining learning, wellbeing, and organisational identities across the new Colleges. The work will include the analysis of demographic data, school enrolment growth, and identification of potential new school sites for future growth.

Why work for Catholic Education NT?

• Salary $197,700 + super
• Five weeks annual leave plus additional leave entitlements
• Up to 10 days TOIL leave
• Salary packaging and novated leasing options
• Employee rewards program (discounts at 450+ retailers)
• Discounted school fees for eligible employees
• Free onsite parking

Key Responsibilities:

• Strategy – Collaborate with the CENT Executive Team to plan and execute creative, financially sustainable growth solutions and system-wide structural transformations for Catholic schools in the Northern Territory. Design and implement strategies that align Catholic Identity and Mission, religious charisms and pedagogical innovation into a cohesive model for community wellbeing and structural excellence.
• Risk & Reporting – Direct comprehensive risk mitigation and performance reporting, providing strategic progress updates to CENT Executives and the Catholic Education Council to ensure transparent governance and informed decision-making.
• Execution – Design and implement the legal, operational, and cultural merger of school communities to streamline system-wide processes and marketing, ensuring sustainable growth and high-quality educational pathways for Catholic students.
• Stakeholder Management – Drive change management by analysing impacts on processes and roles, guiding stakeholders through ambiguity, and nurturing key relationships through the establishment and chairing of project committees, inclusive of families, staff, students, clergy, and, where appropriate, the Catholic Aboriginal Leadership Team (CALT).

Skills and Experience:

• Proven experience as an effective senior leader at school or educational system level.
• Proven experience in the hands-on administration, planning, and implementation of system-wide education related organisational change or school mergers.
• Ability to develop a Strategic Visioning Document that functions as both a roadmap and a high-value marketing tool, transforming structural change into a positive 'growth narrative' that expands Catholic school market share.
• Demonstrated financial and organisational acumen that secures sustainable, long-term outcomes and seamless transitions for Catholic schools in the Northern Territory.
• Proven education-related risk management experience through performance analysis and design of adaptive strategies.
• Experience leading large-scale change management by analysing impacts on processes, roles, and systems, using comprehensive communication plans and identified training needs.
• Strong alignment to our Catholic Education NT Vision, Mission and Values.
• Qualifications relevant to the role, at least at a tertiary level.
• Current NT Working with Children Check.
• Willingness to travel to remote sites via light aircraft charter plane.
• Current Driver's Licence.

Applications close: 16 August 2026

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

For more information, contact Recruitment on 08 8984 1400 OR [e-mail]