Lead one of Queensland’s influential education institutions at a pivotal moment for students, schools and the system. Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA) sits at the heart of Queensland’s education system. Working closely with stakeholders, QCAA develops kindergarten guidelines and senior secondary syllabuses, and provides resources and services that support teaching and learning from kindergarten to Year 12, playing a vital role in delivering strong educational outcomes and maintaining confidence in the system. OnTalent is proud to partner with the QCAA Board to appoint an outstanding Chief Executive Officer to lead with clarity and purpose during reform and heightened community expectation. This is a rare opportunity to strengthen trust and ensure Queensland’s curriculum and assessment framework continues to serve students, teachers and the community with integrity.

Job details

The Opportunity

Reporting to the Chair and working closely with the Board and the Minister, the CEO is responsible for the effective leadership, governance and performance of the Authority.

The role demands system leadership – balancing continuity with thoughtful evolution, operational excellence with strategic foresight, and independence with deep collaboration across the education sector.

You will:

• Lead the QCAA's strategy, operations and culture, ensuring excellence in curriculum and assessment delivery.
• Partner with the Board to shape and implement strategic direction, informed by evidence, educational research and stakeholder insight.
• Guide the organisation through complex reform, including engagement with system reviews and their recommendations.
• Build confidence and trust across Queensland's diverse education community, including state, Catholic and independent schools, through collaboration, service orientation and transparent communication.
• Represent QCAA at state, national and international levels, strengthening its standing and influence.
• Lead a highly committed workforce, fostering an inclusive, high-performance culture that honours the organisation's history while embracing change.

About You

You are a respected, values-driven executive leader with a strong track record in complex environments. You bring credibility in education or a closely related system, combined with the judgement and agility required to navigate public accountability, stakeholder scrutiny and reform.

You will be known for your ability to:

• Lead large, multifaceted organisations through change with empathy, pace and discipline.
• Build and repair relationships, listen deeply, and engage constructively with diverse and sometimes sceptical stakeholders.
• Translate strategy into delivery, balancing policy, operations and service outcomes.
• Operate confidently within government, understanding the interplay of governance, politics and public trust.
• Inspire talented professionals and create clarity, pride and momentum.

An understanding of curriculum and assessment in the Australian context, particularly senior secondary assessment, will be highly regarded.

Why This Role Matters

What the QCAA does matters. It shapes the learning journey of young Queenslanders and underpins the credibility of the senior certificate that opens doors to further education, training and work.

This role offers the chance to:

• Influence educational outcomes at scale.
• Restore and strengthen system confidence.
• Lead reform that is thoughtful, collaborative and future-focused.
• Leave a lasting legacy for students, schools and the broader Queensland community.

To find out more about the opportunity please visit www.ontalent.com.au/qcaaceo

For a confidential discussion please call Chris Dougherty or Jevon Seah on (07) 3305 5800

Applications close 11.59pm Sunday 1 March 2026

Further information

We are committed to building inclusive cultures in the Queensland public sector that respect and promote human rights and diversity.

Documents

Before applying for this vacancy please ensure you read the documents below.

• Chief Executive Officer_Jan 2026 (PDF, 207KB)
  Role Description