Leader, School Excellence Principal Support, CEO
* Start date: 27 January 2026
* Location/s: Various locations, Statewide
* Note: The department is committed to supporting flexible working arrangements and will be discussed with successful applicants.
* There are opportunities for temporary full-time appointments between 1 and 3 years in duration.
About the Department of Education
At the NSW Department of Education, we educate and inspire lifelong learners – from early childhood, through schooling to vocational education and training.
We ensure young children get the best start in life by supporting and regulating the early childhood education and care sector. We unlock excellence and unleash the potential of two-thirds of school children in NSW. We're proudly public and the largest education system in Australia. We nurture opportunities for every learner to develop the skills needed for their chosen career path, helping shape the industries of tomorrow.
We respect and value Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as First Peoples of Australia.
About the Public Schools Division
The Public Schools division leads and directs the operations of more than 2,200 NSW public schools. The division aims to maximise academic achievements of all students and provide equitable opportunities, experiences and outcomes to transform lives through learning. The division supports principals, teachers, school staff and students in all public school settings across 8 directorates:
* Metropolitan
* North Regional
* North Regional North and West
* Rural North
* Metropolitan South
* Metropolitan South and West
* Regional South and Connected Communities
* Rural South and West.
Additionally, Public Schools is responsible for the School Excellence directorate and the Regional, Rural, Remote and Unique Settings directorate, which bring together policy, implementation, and priority work to support schools in their ongoing pursuit of equity and excellence.
About the School Excellence Directorate
The School Excellence directorate brings together policy, implementation and priority work to deliver on Our Plan for Public Education and support schools in their ongoing pursuit of excellence.
The School Excellence Framework supports all NSW public schools in their pursuit of equity and excellence by clearly outlining what is valued as excellence in schools, both now and into the future. All schools have areas of strength and opportunities for improvement. The School Excellence directorate focuses on those school practices that evidence shows are most directly related to continuous, school-wide improvement and better student outcomes.
About the position
The Leader, School Excellence Principal Support role partners with stakeholders to deliver critical outcomes under the School Excellence Framework and acts as the subject matter expert (SME) providing context informed support directly to school leaders. This includes leading external validation, developing resources and providing leadership advice that supports schools in their strategic planning processes.
The role will require a comprehensive experiential understanding of the role of a school principal and the implementation of strategic planning and school improvement under the relevant policies and frameworks.
Please note:
* 19 x temporary full-time positions are available across a range of contract durations
* Positions are available across 8 directorates statewide. Please select your preferred directorate/s in the pre-screening questions
* For further information about this position, including the statement of duties, please review the position description.
Please be advised:The Department may direct you to undertake classroom teaching and lesson preparation as required.
For current NSW public school based employees or employees who hold right of return to a NSW public school, please confirm in the pre-screening questions that you have discussed this opportunity with your direct supervisor/principal and that they are willing to release you for the required period.
How to apply
To apply you will be required to address the selection criteria in relation to the Statement of Duties for the position in your application.
* Please attach one document (in Word or PDF format) addressing each selection criteria for the position you are applying for, with a maximum of 300 words per criteria.
* Update your work profile details directly on the iWorkforNSW platform and/or attach a CV/ Resume.
* Two referees will be required for the application
* A cover letter is not required
Please be advised that it is a requirement that all candidates submit their applications online. No paper based, email based, or late applications will be accepted.
For all enquiries please contact: Lisa Stipanovic via email
Closing date: Sunday 14 September 2025 at 11:59pm.
Please Note:
Permanent officers temporarily appointed to Chief Education Officer positions will maintain Right of Return for a period not exceeding twelve months as described in Chief Education Officers – Department of Education) Salaries and Conditions Award 2017.
If you currently hold a temporary NSBTS role, please refer to Advice for current NSBTS considering applying for other positions during their temporary NSBTS appointment.
Existing internal employees are encouraged to refer to the vacation guide for teachers taking up a temporary Non-School Based Teaching Service position.
This is a child-related role. As a condition of employment you will be required to provide a Working with Children Check (WWCC) Clearance number and complete a National Criminal Record Check. For more information, click here
We welcome applications from all ages and genders, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, culturally and linguistically diverse groups, the LGBTQIA+ community, veterans, refugees and people with disability. If we can make some adjustments to our recruitment/interview process to better enable you to shine, please contact the Diversity and Inclusion Team () or visit NSW Department of Education Diversity and Inclusion.
E-list: If the selection panel identifies more than one suitable candidate for the role, an E-list may be created from which these suitable candidates may be chosen and directly offered employment in other similar roles that may become available in the future.