Location: The Cathedral School | Townsville
Position Type: Full-Time, Residential
Start Date: Negotiable
Position Title: Head of Girls’ Residence
Are you an experienced boarding, residential, pastoral care or education leader with the strategic capability, operational judgement and genuine care needed to lead a high-quality boarding community?
The Cathedral School is seeking a dedicated and relational leader to provide strategic leadership and overall management of our Girls’ Residence, ensuring the delivery of a safe, supportive and high-quality residential experience for students from across North Queensland, rural and remote communities.
This full-time residential leadership position requires both day and evening shifts and is suited to someone who can balance strong residential presence with strategic oversight, staff leadership, continuous improvement, parent engagement and student wellbeing.
About the Role
As the Head of Girls’ Residence, you will provide strategic leadership and overall management of the Girls’ boarding house. You will be accountable for the culture, operational performance, staff leadership, student wellbeing and strategic direction of the residence. While maintaining oversight of all operational functions, you will delegate the coordination of day-to-day activities to Senior Supervisors, allowing you to focus on leadership, continuous improvement, stakeholder engagement and the overall residential experience for students.
About The Cathedral School of St Anne and St James
Set among tropical rain trees and a natural lagoon, The Cathedral School of St Anne and St James is Townsville’s only independent Anglican school. With a proud tradition of academic excellence, pastoral care and whole-child development, we prepare students for lifelong success. With more than 1200 students, including approximately 120 boarders, we are proud of our reputation as a school that fosters excellence, character, connection and community.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide strategic direction for the Girls’ Residence in alignment with the School’s vision, values and boarding priorities.
- Foster a positive boarding culture focused on student wellbeing, belonging, personal growth and respectful relationships.
- Maintain overall responsibility for student wellbeing and pastoral care, including the management of complex welfare and behavioural matters.
- Lead, mentor and develop Senior Supervisors, Supervisors, Activities Coordinator and Gap Assistants, including recruitment, induction, coaching and performance reviews.
- Oversee workforce planning, staffing structures, rosters, succession planning and ongoing professional learning for boarding staff.
- Maintain strategic oversight of boarding routines, student transport, leave and travel requests, Orah systems, maintenance, finance, catering, cleaning and laundry, administration, risk management and compliance.
- Collaborate with Heads of School, the School Psychologist, Student Health Centre, Indigenous Unit, teachers, school leaders and external agencies to support students and families.
- Act as the primary contact for significant parent matters and lead orientation and transition programs for new boarding students and families.
- Represent and promote boarding through enrolment activities, community engagement, school functions and professional networks.
- Ensure compliance with legislation, school policies, child safety requirements, boarding standards and duty of care obligations.
- Contribute to budget management, resource planning and the long-term improvement of boarding facilities, programs and student experience.
We’re Looking For Someone With
- Demonstrated leadership experience in boarding, residential care, education, youth work, pastoral care or a related field.
- Strong capability in strategic leadership, staff management, operational oversight and continuous improvement.
- Excellent communication, judgement, organisation and relationship-building skills.
- A calm, consistent and relational approach to supporting young people, including the ability to manage complex student wellbeing and behavioural matters.
- A genuine commitment to student wellbeing, belonging, personal growth and family engagement.
- Sound understanding of child safety, duty of care, professional boundaries, confidentiality, risk management and compliance requirements.
- Capacity to work collaboratively with school leaders, support teams, teachers, parents, external agencies and the wider boarding community.
- Ability to live on-site and participate actively in the day and evening rhythm of residential boarding life.
- Relevant qualifications in education, youth work, residential care, leadership or a related discipline are highly desirable.
What We Offer
- A meaningful leadership opportunity in a supportive and values-driven school community.
- On-site 3-bedroom air-conditioned residence, with electricity, internet and meals included.
- Professional development opportunities and support from experienced school leaders.
- Access to school facilities and a vibrant campus life.
- The opportunity to influence boarding culture and make a lasting impact on the lives of young people.
- A close-knit boarding community where relationships, care and belonging are at the heart of what we do.
- The opportunity to lead continuous improvement across boarding operations, culture, programs and student experience.
Join us in shaping the lives of young women and creating a safe, supportive home away from home.
All staff at Cathedral are expected to support the philosophies of the School and contribute to a culture of child safety and wellbeing. Applicants must either hold or be able to obtain a Blue Card and/or be registered with the Queensland College of Teachers. Applicants will be subject to blue card screening, referee checks, identification verification and will be required to disclose any information relevant to their eligibility to engage in activities involving children and young people.
Interested applicants who would like to be part of a thriving professional community can obtain further information by visiting our "Employment" page at https://cathedral.qld.edu.au/about/employment/
Applying for the Position
Applicants are invited to submit a cover letter and resume outlining their experience and suitability for the role, including contact details for three professional referees.
Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and the position may be filled before the closing date. We encourage interested applicants to apply as soon as possible.
Our preferred commencement date is August 2026; however, we are seeking the best candidate for the role and are willing to negotiate an alternative start date with the successful applicant.
