Executive Director - Brisbane Catholic Education

Summary

Executive Director – Brisbane Catholic Education

This is one of the most significant Catholic education leadership appointments in Australia, entrusted with stewarding the mission, identity and future of Catholic education across the Archdiocese of Brisbane. This role calls for a grounded, courageous and visible leader, comfortable engaging in complex environments and making evidence‑based decisions in the best interest of students, staff and the Church.

• Lead one of Australia’s largest and most influential Catholic education systems
• Engage directly with the Archbishop of Brisbane, exercising delegated authority and executive stewardship on behalf of the Church
• Lead whole-of-system transformation across 146 schools, serving 80,000 students and 12,500 staff

The Strategic Plan 2025–2027, “An education to believe in” sets BCE’s direction as the organisation continues to evolve as a faith-filled learning community creating a better future. BCE is entering its next phase of system maturity, strengthening Catholic identity and formation, improving learning outcomes, embedding safeguarding and wellbeing, and continuing the cultural shift required to translate strategy into consistent, system-wide performance.

The Role of Executive Director

The Executive Director of Catholic Education, Archdiocese of Brisbane, is the senior executive responsible for leading and enabling high-quality Catholic education across the system. Reporting to the Vicar General and exercising delegated authority on behalf of the Archbishop, the Executive Director provides faith-filled leadership, strategic educational stewardship and executive oversight of BCE.

The Executive Director is a visible and accessible leader, actively present across schools, parishes and communities. The role requires a sophisticated understanding of parish–school relationships and the capacity to navigate complex diocesan, community and public environments with diplomacy, integrity and respect.
Most importantly the Executive Director will lead BCE through ongoing system-wide transformation, ensuring the organisation evolves to meet contemporary education needs, strengthening Catholic identity and formation, and delivering sustainable excellence across all schools.

To Apply

Korn Ferry is supporting Brisbane Catholic Education with this executive appointment. For a confidential discussion or to apply, please submit your CV and Cover Letter to Grace Tan and Lachie Ansell at BCEExecutiveDirector@KornFerry.com

About the opportunity

• Provide decisive executive leadership ensuring alignment, accountability and performance across the BCE system
• Lead and promote the faith and evangelising mission of the Church, ensuring Catholic identity, formation and mission are central across all schools and communities
• Drive whole-of-system transformation agenda, leading education reform, organisational change, cultural renewal and digital uplift
• Lead a high‑performance, values‑led culture that positions BCE as an employer of choice, setting clear behavioural and performance expectations and addressing issues with integrity, fairness and dignity
• Ensure strong governance, safeguarding, financial stewardship, and proactive risk management
• Build trusted relationships with clergy, principals, school communities, government and external stakeholders
• Represent BCE as a respected public advocate for Catholic education

About you

You will bring proven executive-level leadership experience within large, complex organisations, ideally within education systems and a reputation for integrity and sound judgement. You are a strategic thinker who can clearly articulate direction, build the path to delivery, and demonstrated evidence of sustained improvement achieved through your leadership.

This appointment represents a unique opportunity to serve the Church and the community through senior Catholic education leadership, shaping the lives of young people and the future of Catholic education across South East Queensland. It offers the opportunity to act as a trusted public voice for Catholic education, representing a system that is evolving, confident and committed to excellence.