Lead, Strategic Operations
At the NSW Department of Education, we educate and inspire lifelong learners – from early childhood, through schooling to vocational education and training.
- Ongoing full-time role
- Located in Parramatta with flexible hybrid work arrangements available
- Salary Clerk Grade 9/10 from $129,464 to $142,665 base + superannuation
Public Schools division
Public Schools division leads and directs the operations of more than 2200 NSW public schools to maximise the academic achievements of all students and create a culture of success, learning and a desire to achieve, underpinned by innovative, adaptive and supportive strategies that also supports the quality of teaching and educational leadership at the school level.
The division is responsible for managing policy, strategies and operations that support principals, teachers and students in preschools, infants, primary, secondary, central and community schools, specialist and comprehensive schools, specific purpose schools, intensive English, environmental education centres and the regulation of home schooling in NSW. The overarching goal of the School Performance division is to achieve the best possible outcomes for the students in our public schools from preschool to year 12 and for children and young people registered for home schooling.
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About the role
The Lead, Strategic Operations works closely with the Manager, Strategic Operations to oversee the day-to-day process and operations of Home Schooling within legislative requirements and the underpinning regulative framework. The role leads the diverse administrative team and promotes operational effectiveness, delivers high level advice on workforce and finance matters, and provides strategic leadership to support our application system and customer services within the Home Schooling Directorate.
For further information please click here to view the role description
About you
You will:
- Demonstrate leadership in the management of the Home Schooling Operations team.
- Continuously review administration processes and procedures to identify opportunities to enhance operational systems and practices in line with the department’s commitment to continuous improvement.
- Demonstrate well-developed analytical and problem solving skills.
- Provide high level strategic advice to senior and executive staff members on complex matters relating to finance, workforce management and planning.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders to ensure open lines of communication and that services are available for emerging business requirements and issues for Home Schooling.
- Demonstrate knowledge of and commitment to implementing the Department’s Aboriginal Education Policy and upholding the Department’s Partnership Agreement with the NSW AECG and to ensure quality outcomes for Aboriginal people.
Essential requirements of the role
- Current and valid Working with Children Check Clearance for paid employment.
- Relevant tertiary qualifications and/or proven equivalent knowledge, skills and experience.
Benefits
- Flexible working arrangements
- 35 hour working week
- Competitive, salary sacrificing, employer’s contribution to superannuation and annual leave loading
- Flex Leave entitlements, generous holidays & leave conditions
- Opportunities for advancement and mobility across the Department to support your career growth
How to apply
Attach a resume (maximum 5 pages) and a cover letter (maximum 2 pages) outlining how you meet the requirements and capabilities of this role. As well answer 2 targeted questions:
- Describe a time when you have supported a system change or a continuous improvement initiative that required consultation, analysis and consideration of business needs. What was your role and what was the outcome? (300 words)
- Describe a time when you provided advice on workforce planning that involved people needing to change roles and responsibilities or develop new skills. How did you go about this? (300 words)
Applicants are encouraged to prepare their application materials independently. The selection panel values authentic and personally written responses that reflect your own experience, insights and alignment with the Department’s values and priorities.
Please refer to the Applicant’s Guide to Applying to assist you with your application.
If you are an existing Education Support Staff (corporate staff) with the NSW Department of Education,
All other applicants please submit your application by clicking ‘Apply Now’.
Note: the selection process will include a range of assessment techniques to assist in determining your suitability for the role. Successful candidates will be required to undertake pre-employment screening for this role which includes a National Criminal History Check.
This is a child-related role. As a condition of employment you will be required to provide a valid Working with Children Check (WWCC) Clearance number (for paid employment). Visit the website for more information.
Candidates must have Australian work rights (citizens, permanent residents, New Zealand citizens or a valid work visa). Ongoing (permanent) roles are open to Australian citizens and permanent residents and New Zealand citizens, while temporary roles welcome applicants with a visa.
Closing date 15th July 2026 at 11:59pm.
For role enquiries please contact Manager, Strategy and Policy, Home Schooling, Robyne Russo at
[email protected] and for recruitment process enquiries please contact Julie Nguyen at
[email protected]
We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, including but not limited to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people, people of any age or gender, people from culturally and linguistically diverse groups and/or from the LGBTQIA+ community, veterans, refugees, people with disability, people with sensory differences, and neurodiverse people. If we can make some adjustments to our recruitment/interview process to better help you shine, please reach out to the contact person for this recruitment, details listed above. For more information, visit the NSW Department of Education’s Diversity, equity and inclusion webpage.
A recruitment pool may be created through this recruitment process. A recruitment pool is a group of applicants who have been assessed and identified as suitable for this role, and who may be considered for a range of similar roles, including temporary, term or ongoing roles, over the next 18 months.
