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Manager - Statewide Initiatives
Office of the Deputy Director-General, School and Regional Operations and Performance Division
Are you an experienced frontline leader with a strong track record in student transitions, partnership development and strategic service delivery?
We are seeking a highly capable professional to lead a statewide transition support service for students from remote and discrete communities as they move into
secondary education settings, including distance education, boarding and schools in other communities.
If you are a collaborative and strategic leader with experience leading frontline services and a commitment to improving outcomes for students in remote and discrete communities, we encourage you to
apply.
Job details
| Position status | Permanent |
|---|---|
| Position type | Full-time |
| Occupational group | Education & Training |
| Classification | AO8 |
| Workplace Location | Brisbane Inner City,Cairns region |
| Job ad reference | QLD/CO704753/26P |
| Closing date | 03-Nov-2026 |
| Job duration | |
| Contact person | Sharon WILLIS |
| Contact details | 07 3513 5824 Access the National Relay Service |
About The Role:
A key focus of the role is implementing and embedding a new service delivery model to ensure transition supports are consistent, culturally responsive, effective and aligned across the state. You will work closely with remote state schools, place-based transition officers, First Nations communities, boarding providers, non-government organisations and regional teams to improve transition planning, continuity of support, student retention and re-engagement.
The role requires a strong balance of operational leadership and strategic capability. You will be expected to lead service implementation, build team capability, support staff working across geographically dispersed locations, and provide clear communication, high-quality briefings and strategic advice to senior officers and executives on programme delivery, outcomes and emerging issues.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead and manage a frontline team of Transition Support Officers supporting students from remote and discrete communities to transition to distance education, boarding arrangements, or secondary schools in other communities.
- Lead engagement with remote state schools and place-based transition officers to support onboarding, induction, capability development and consistent service delivery.
- Collaborate with First Nations communities, non-government organisations, boarding providers and external agencies to support positive, culturally responsive and confident transitions for First Nations students.
- Establish and maintain structured partnerships with boarding providers to improve transition planning, continuity of support and student retention.
- Work in close partnership with regional office staff and other teams to coordinate support for students requiring complex case management to remain engaged in education.
- Monitor student retention and transition outcomes, and establish governance processes to support effective oversight, accountability and continuous improvement.
- Work with place-based transition providers and local partners to support student re-engagement in education.
- Lead effective communication across the service, including the preparation of briefings, reports and high-level strategic advice for senior officers and executives on programme delivery, transition outcomes and emerging issues.
This role is suited to someone who brings strong experience in transition planning and delivery, can lead frontline staff across multiple locations, and can build and sustain effective partnerships across a complex service system. You will also bring the strategic capability to implement a new service delivery model, provide high-quality briefing and advice, and drive service improvements that strengthen student retention and engagement.
We are looking for a candidate who can demonstrate:
- Strong experience in leading frontline services that support students through complex transitions.
- Demonstrated experience in supporting students from remote and discrete communities to transition to a range of secondary education options.
- Strong capability in building, maintaining and influencing partnerships across schools, communities, boarding providers, government and non-government stakeholders.
- Strong cultural capability and experience working respectfully and effectively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stakeholders.
- Highly developed communication skills, including the ability to prepare clear briefings, reporting and strategic advice for senior leaders.
- Demonstrated ability to lead, support and build the capability of staff working across diverse and geographically dispersed locations.
This is an opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to improving educational outcomes for First Nations students through a frontline service that directly supports successful transitions into secondary education. You will play a key leadership role in implementing a new service delivery model, strengthening transition pathways, building effective partnerships and shaping strategic approaches that improve student retention and long-term engagement in education.
Interested? To Apply:
- Attach a brief resume including contact details for 2 referees (referees should have an understanding of your relevant work history);
- Please submit a brief resume and 2-page max response outlining your experience relevant to the responsibilities and capabilities of the role.
Applications remain current for 12 months from the closing date and may be considered for appointment to identical or similar vacancies within the Department.
Applications from recruitment agencies will not be accepted.
Further information
We are committed to building inclusive cultures in the Queensland public sector that respect and promote human rights and diversity.
For a full list of the position responsibilities and mandatory requirements, please ensure you download the attached Role Description and Applicant Information Package and follow the instructions.
Documents
Before applying for this vacancy please ensure you read the documents below.
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CO704753_26P - Role Description (PDF, 275KB)
Role Description
Application Information Package (PDF, 285KB)
Information Package for Applicants
