This is a permanent full-time position commencing Term 3, 2026

Join the Executive Leadership Team of one of Western Australia's largest and most progressive public secondary schools and help shape the future of teaching, learning and student success.

At Safety Bay Senior High School (SHS), our motto Imagine. Believe. Achieve. reflects our commitment to ensuring every student is known, supported and challenged to achieve their personal best.

We are entering an exciting phase of whole-school improvement, strengthening consistency in teaching and learning, refining school-wide systems and building a culture where innovation, collaboration and continuous improvement underpin everything we do.

Staff are supported through weekly collaborative planning time and are empowered through a distributive leadership model where initiative, expertise and leadership are valued at every level. Our leaders work collaboratively to shape the future direction of the school while making a genuine difference to the lives of our students.

If you are passionate about educational leadership, enjoy solving complex challenges and thrive in environments where no two days are the same, Safety Bay SHS offers an outstanding opportunity to broaden your leadership experience and influence whole-school improvement

Find out more about our school by visiting Safety Bay Senior High School or Schools Online.

The Role

Lead the systems that enable exceptional schools.

Outstanding schools don't happen by chance. They are built on strong leadership, effective systems and a relentless focus on continuous improvement.

As Program Coordinator – School Operations, you would join the Executive Leadership Team and lead many of the strategic operational systems that underpin teaching excellence, student achievement and whole-school success.

This is one of the school's most influential leadership positions, providing strategic oversight of assessment, data, timetabling, examinations, operational planning and school-wide improvement initiatives. Your work will directly support students and staff, ensuring our systems enable every student to thrive.

Working closely with the Principal, Deputy Principals, Program Coordinators, Heads of Learning Area and Corporate Services team, you would influence strategic decision-making through the intelligent use of data, evidence and contemporary leadership practices.

You should champion innovation, challenge existing practice where appropriate and continually refine the systems that enable outstanding educational outcomes.

There is also the possibility of maintaining a teaching load that ensures you remain connected to classroom practice while leading significant whole-school improvement initiatives. This unique balance allows you to influence both strategic direction and day-to-day teaching and learning.

A Career-Defining Opportunity

This role offers an exceptional breadth of experience across educational leadership, school operations and strategic improvement.

The successful applicant would work alongside an experienced Executive Leadership Team, contributing to significant school improvement initiatives while developing expertise across assessment, data analysis, timetabling, operational leadership, change management and whole-school strategic planning.

For experienced educational leaders aspiring to broaden their leadership capability, this position provides outstanding preparation for future senior leadership opportunities within the Department of Education.

Your Leadership will ideally include:

Rather than simply coordinating operational functions, you would provide strategic leadership across:

• Whole-school timetabling and operational planning.
• Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE) Online Literacy and Numeracy Assessment (OLNA) and National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN), examinations and statewide assessment programs.
• School improvement planning and implementation.
• School-wide data analysis to inform strategic decision making.
• Development of contemporary operational systems and processes.
• School Business Plan implementation and review.
• Department of Education and School Curriculum and Standards Authority compliance.
• Continuous improvement of school operational systems.
• Major school events and whole-school initiatives.
• Cross-functional collaboration that strengthens teaching, learning and student pathways.
• Leading change that improves educational outcomes for every student.

We are looking for someone who ideally:

• Thinks strategically and enjoys improving complex systems.
• Displays outstanding educational leadership.
• Builds strong, positive professional relationships across all areas of a school.
• Communicates with confidence, professionalism and authenticity.
• Can successfully lead multiple large-scale projects simultaneously.
• Uses evidence and data to drive continuous improvement.
• Is highly organised and exceptionally detail focused.
• Displays initiative, sound judgement and resilience under pressure.
• Embraces innovation and actively seeks opportunities to improve practice.
• Inspires confidence in others through collaborative leadership.
• Is committed to achieving outstanding outcomes for students, staff and the wider school community.

Why Join Safety Bay SHS?

At Safety Bay SHS we believe leadership is about influence, collaboration and creating opportunities for others to succeed.

Joining our Executive Leadership Team means becoming part of a school that values innovation, invests in leadership development and empowers staff to make a genuine difference.

As we continue our ambitious improvement journey, you will have opportunities to:

• Shape the strategic direction of one of Western Australia's leading public secondary schools.
• Lead significant whole-school improvement initiatives.
• Work alongside experienced and highly collaborative school leaders.
• Influence teaching and learning through evidence-informed decision making.
• Develop expertise across assessment, data, school operations and strategic planning.
• Build leadership capability that prepares you for future senior leadership opportunities.
• Make a measurable impact on student achievement, staff effectiveness and organisational performance.

This is an exceptional opportunity for an experienced educational leader seeking to broaden their influence beyond a curriculum area and contribute to the leadership of a complex, dynamic and high-performing secondary school.

Professional Benefits

Working for the Department of Education you will enjoy a range of benefits including competitive salaries, flexible working arrangements, training and career development opportunities and attractive leave provisions. Find out more about the benefits by visiting professional and personal benefits.

Want to know more?

Full details of the role, selection criteria and training requirements are listed in the attached Job Description Form (JDF).

For more information about this opportunity, please contact Matt Shields, Deputy Principal on (08) 9527 0200 or emailing Matt.shields@education.wa.edu.au. 

Equity and Diversity

We are committed to an inclusive and culturally responsive workforce reflecting the diversity in our schools and the Western Australian community. We welcome and encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, young people, people of diverse sexualities and genders, people with disability, and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. 

Explore our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Plan 2021-2025 for more details.

Eligibility

To work with us, you must:

• be an Australian or New Zealand citizen, permanent resident or have a valid visa with relevant work rights for the term of the appointment.
• hold registration with the Teacher Registration Board of Western Australia
• obtain a valid Working With Children Check before you start; and
• consent to a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check and obtain a current Screening Clearance Number issued by the Department of Education’s Screening Unit before you start.

More information about employment eligibility can be found on our website or in the attached application package.

Additional eligibility and training requirements are outlined in the attached Job Description Form (JDF).

Application Instructions

Apply online in two easy steps:

Step 1: Select Apply for Job

Complete the online application form, including details of two (2) work related referees, preferably one (1) being your current line manager.

Step 2: Attach your documents

Your application should include:

• A CV of up to four (4) pages outlining your employment history and professional learning summary relevant to this position
• A four (4) page statement addressing the following selection criteria as outlined in the attached JDF
  • Demonstrated capacity to provide effective leadership in a diverse range of educational settings.
  • Demonstrated high level of interpersonal and public relations skills with the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships to achieve planned outcomes.
  • Demonstrated professional knowledge and the ability to apply this knowledge to ensure a high level of educational outcomes for all students (e.g. Aboriginal students, students from diverse ethnic backgrounds and students with special needs).
  • Demonstrated capacity to manage staff, physical and financial resources.

It is recommended you have your attachments ready before selecting Apply for Job.

Your application must be received before the closing date and time. Late applications will not be accepted.

For technical support submitting your application, you can call the Department of Education’s Recruitment team on (08) 9264 4127 for assistance.

Advertised Vacancy Number: IPS/SS1026981

Suitable applicants may be considered for similar vacancies arising within the next 12 months following this selection process. This may include circumstances where the successful applicant declines or vacates the position.

The Department applies a four (4) day breach period to this selection process.

Applications close: 4.30pm (AWST) on Monday, 17 August 2026