Join an executive leadership team dedicated to creating safe, inclusive learning environments for every student.

Job details

About TAFE Queensland

TAFE Queensland is proud to be the largest and most experienced Vocational Education and Training (VET) provider in the State. For more than 140 years, TAFE Queensland has delivered practical and industry-relevant training to provide students with the skills and experience they need to build lifelong careers. Our award-winning training is delivered on campus, online, and in the workplace to give people the skills they need to enrich their communities, support their industries, and strengthen their local economies. 

By working at TAFE Queensland, you can be part of a highly experienced workforce that is closely connected with their industries and dedicated to delivering best practices and innovative training.

Your Opportunity

As the Manager, Child Safety you will:

• Provide strategic leadership for TAFE Queensland's child safety function and serve as the organisation's principal advisor on child safety, safeguarding, organisational risk and prevention initiatives.
• Lead the implementation, governance and continuous improvement of TAFE Queensland's child safety framework, ensuring compliance with legislative requirements, Child Safe Standards, organisational priorities and best practice, and overseeing the management of complex and sensitive child safety matters.
• Build and maintain strategic partnerships with government agencies, regulators, community organisations and key stakeholders to support collaboration, enhance organisational capability, and strengthen TAFE Queensland's child safety outcomes and reputation.

This position reports to the Executive Director, Health, Safety and Wellbeing.

This is a Temporary, Full-Time opportunity, to 30 June 2027 unless otherwise determined.

The position will be based at a TAFE Queensland campus and can be negotiated. 

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for TAFE Queensland's child safety function, ensuring child safety and wellbeing are embedded across organisational culture, governance, systems, policies, practices and service delivery.
• Lead the development, implementation and continuous improvement of TAFE Queensland's child safety framework, ensuring alignment with legislative requirements, Child Safe Standards, organisational priorities and contemporary best practice.
• Provide advice and recommendations to executive leadership on child safety strategy, legislative compliance, organisational risk, governance obligations and emerging issues, noting that authoritative employment relations advice is provided in consultation with the Employment Relations Specialist team.
• Lead the Child Safety team and manage allocated workforce, financial and operational resources to deliver high-quality, sustainable services and organisational outcomes.
• Provide oversight of complex and sensitive child safety incidents, complaints and enterprise risks, ensuring appropriate governance, risk management, escalation, reporting and organisational responses.
• Ensure organisational compliance with child safety legislation, Child Safe Standards, safeguarding obligations and other relevant regulatory requirements through effective governance, assurance and risk management practices.
• Drive organisational capability, change and continuous improvement through child safety training, communication, performance reporting and initiatives that strengthen safeguarding practices and organisational maturity.
• Establish and maintain strategic relationships with government agencies, regulators, community organisations and key stakeholders, and contribute as a member of the OCHRO leadership team to the achievement of TAFE Queensland's strategic priorities.
• Promote and model TAFE Queensland's values of Safety First, Working Together, Focusing on our Customer, Taking Responsibility and Showing Initiative.

How you will be assessed

The ideal applicant will be someone who has the following key capabilities:

• Demonstrate extensive knowledge of child safety, safeguarding, Child Safe Standards, relevant legislation and contemporary best practice, and apply this expertise to complex organisational issues.
• Provide strategic leadership and direction, translating organisational priorities into effective programs, systems and outcomes that support child safety, compliance and organisational performance.
• Lead and influence organisational change, governance and continuous improvement initiatives within a large and complex environment.
• Build and maintain productive relationships with executive leaders, government agencies, regulators and other key stakeholders, demonstrating highly developed communication, consultation and negotiation skills.
• Analyse and interpret complex information, risks and emerging issues to provide advice, strategic recommendations and high-quality reports, submissions, briefings and business cases.
• Lead and develop high-performing teams, effectively managing workforce capability, organisational resources, performance and service delivery outcomes.
• Exercise sound judgement, professionalism and accountability when managing complex, sensitive and high-risk matters, collaborating with key business partners.
• Demonstrate a commitment to child safety, ethical leadership, human rights and the values of TAFE Queensland.

Mandatory Qualifications/Requirements

• Current Blue Card or Exemption Card, or the ability to obtain and maintain one, in accordance with the Working with Children (Risk Management Screening) Act 2000. 

Highly Desirable Requirements

• Demonstrated expertise in child safety, safeguarding, child protection or a directly related field.
• Tertiary qualification in Law, Education, Psychology, Social Work, or a related field. 
• Demonstrated senior leadership experience in child safety, safeguarding, child protection or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated experience leading specialist teams and delivering organisational outcomes in complex government, education or community service environments.
• Experience working with First Nations students, refugee and migrant clients, and clients with disabilities. 

How to apply

If you’re interested in this role, click the ‘Apply’ button to submit your application via the TAFE Queensland Recruitment Portal.  When submitting your application, please ensure you provide the following:

• a detailed resume including the contact details for two referees (one of whom is your current supervisor); and
• a cover letter (maximum 2 pages) that outlines your experience, skills and abilities and responds to the ‘How you will be assessed’ criteria.
• Applications must be submitted via TAFE Queensland’s recruitment portal.

Closing date: 11:59pm, Sunday 8 November 2026.

Job Reference Number: TQ2026-1077  

For further information, please contact:

Kelly Ieti and Robyn Ruffin

HR.Corporate@tafeqld.edu.au

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.

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