Deputy Executive Director

Deputy Executive Director

Driving System Leadership Across Catholic Education Western Australia 

Catholic Education Western Australia (CEWA) is a significant ministry of the Catholic Church in Western Australia and one of the largest and most influential education systems in Australia. Through 149 Christ-centred and child-focused Catholic schools and colleges, CEWA supports more than 80,000 students and over 11,000 staff across metropolitan, regional and remote communities.

Guided by a mission to provide transformative Catholic education, CEWA fosters learning environments that promote belonging, inclusion, independent thinking and mutual respect. Supported by the Catholic Education Office, CEWA is recognised nationally for its leadership in educational innovation, system improvement, policy development and contemporary teaching practice.

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Deputy Executive Director (ED) plays a critical leadership role in supporting the ongoing development and operational leadership of the CEWA system. Working closely with the Executive Leadership Team, the Deputy ED will help drive the delivery of CEWA’s strategic priorities, strengthen organisational alignment and lead system-wide collaboration across schools, directorates and key stakeholders.

This role combines strategic leadership, operational oversight and strong relationship management within a large and complex mission-driven environment. The Deputy ED will support the effective implementation of CEWA’s strategic initiatives, foster a high-performing and values-led organisational culture, and maintain strong engagement with principals, Church authorities, government agencies and the broader Catholic education community.

Importantly, CEWA is seeking an accomplished educator with deep credibility across the education sector, ideally including substantial experience as a school Principal and/or system leader. The successful candidate will possess a strong understanding of school leadership, teaching and learning, and the operational realities of leading contemporary Catholic school communities.

The Deputy ED will:

• Be an active member of the Catholic Eucharistic community.
• Demonstrate a deep understanding of the mission and purpose of Catholic education and the capacity to articulate the Church’s mission in school education.
• Have substantial executive leadership experience within large, complex and values-based organisations, ideally within Catholic education or similarly mission-driven environments.
• Bring strong educational leadership capability, with experience leading schools and supporting system-wide improvement initiatives.
• Provide strategic and operational leadership across the CEWA system, supporting organisational effectiveness, integration and continuous improvement.
• Build trusted and productive relationships with principals, executive leaders, Church authorities, government and broader community stakeholders.
• Demonstrate highly developed communication, stakeholder engagement and influencing capability, with the capacity to lead effectively across complex organisational environments.
• Lead collaboratively with humility, authenticity and emotional intelligence, fostering cultures of trust, accountability and service.
• Contribute to the effectiveness and cohesion of CEWA’s internal governance through strong coordination and stakeholder engagement of its committees and working groups.
• Support and empower executive leaders and staff to achieve exceptional educational, organisational and pastoral outcomes across Catholic education in Western Australia.

Interested and qualified applicants are invited to submit:

• A covering letter (maximum 2 pages) addressing the Executive Director
• A 500-word (maximum) statement outlining how the applicant would work with the Executive Director and Executive Team in delivering the Quality Catholic Education Framework and CECWA's Strategic Initiatives – Towards 2030
• An up-to-date Curriculum Vitae including two professional referees and a reference from the applicant's parish priest

For further information please contact Chris Tan on +61 8 9322 0888 or ctan@gerard-daniels.com quoting ref 53082.

Please send all applications to gd@gerard-daniels.com or follow this URL to submit online https://www.gerard-daniels.com/contact/applications

Applications close at 5:00pm on 30 June 2026