Director, Safeguarding

About us

Edmund Rice Education Australia Victorian Schools Limited (EREA VSL) is responsible for the governance of six Victorian schools, and their associated campuses that enrol over 10,000 students. EREA VSL is guided by the EREA Charter for Catholic Schools in the Edmund Rice Tradition. The Charter articulates the vision, mission, and objectives for schools.

Through the Charter Touchstones, schools strive to transform the hearts and minds of children and young people to build a more just and inclusive local and global community through presence, compassion, liberation and a commitment to justice and solidarity. In all we do, EREA VSL operates with clarity, accountability and transparency.

About The Role

As EREA VSL continues to build on its established foundations, our new CEO brings fresh perspectives and opportunities for the future. This is an exciting opportunity to join a collaborative Executive Leadership Team and help foster an environment where every child and young person feels safe, supported, and empowered to thrive.

As Director, Safeguarding, you will provide strategic leadership across child safety and student wellbeing, ensuring these priorities are embedded in organisational strategy, governance, culture, and everyday practice. Working closely with the CEO, Board, Executive team, and school leaders, you will strengthen capability, support continuous improvement, and foster a shared commitment to safeguarding across our schools.

You will provide guidance on safeguarding strategy, policy, risk management, and regulatory obligations, while supporting leaders and staff to translate these requirements into practical and meaningful outcomes. This role offers the prospect to work alongside passionate and values-driven colleagues to strengthen systems, build capability, and help create safe, inclusive, and nurturing learning environments for all students.

Working closely with school leaders and key stakeholders, you will lead EREA VSL's safeguarding and student wellbeing agenda, support complex child safety matters, and drive continuous improvement across our schools.





About you

You are a collaborative and values-driven leader with significant experience in safeguarding, child safety, student wellbeing, and organisational risk. You build trusted relationships, provide sound and practical advice, and enjoy working with others to create positive outcomes. Most importantly, you are passionate about fostering safe, inclusive environments where children and young people can flourish, and are committed to the mission and values of Catholic education.

You will need

- Tertiary qualifications in safeguarding, education, law, public policy or a related discipline.
- Demonstrated senior leadership experience working effectively with executives, boards, committees, regulatory authorities and other key stakeholders.
- Extensive expertise in safeguarding, student wellbeing and compliance with a strong understanding of the legislative and regulatory framework governing Victorian schools, including the Child Safe Standards, Ministerial Order 1359 and the Minimum Standards for School Registration.
- Demonstrated ability to build leadership capability, supporting leaders and teams to understand, embed and fulfil their safeguarding responsibilities.
- Highly developed communication, influencing and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to build trust, influence organisational change and drive improvement across diverse stakeholders.
- Commitment to child safety and safeguarding, with the ability to obtain and maintain a Working with Children Check and provide a National Police Check (issued within the previous six months) or hold current Victorian Institute of Teaching registration.

What We Offer

- A supportive, values-driven team and inclusive workplace culture




- Ongoing professional development and opportunities to influence real change
- Hybrid approach to work encompassing both in-office collaboration and working from home
- You will be employed on a fixed-term basis, for a period of 2 years.
- The remuneration for the role is circa $180,000 - $210,000 FTE Salary + 12% superannuation, depending on skills, education and experience.

To Apply Please visit our website to learn more about our organisation at: https://www.erea.edu.au/erea-victorian-schools

You can access the position description on our careers page Careers | Edmund Rice Education Australia

Applications should be submitted via SEEK using the Apply Now button.

Applications must include

- Current Resume and the contact details of three referees, including your current or most recent employer (Principal if school-based).
- Cover letter outlining your interest in the role, together with responses to the Key Selection Criteria (maximum two pages)

Successful candidates will be required to undergo a pre-employment National Police History check, obtain a Working with Children Check and provide evidence of Australian Citizenship or Visa. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People are encouraged to apply; we are an Equal Opportunity Employer and value diversity.

We are committed to ensuring our recruitment process is inclusive and accessible for anyone who wishes to apply. We will be reviewing applications as they are received.

Should we find a suitable applicant we will close the role early; therefore, please don't delay your application.

Applications Close: 4:00pm, Thursday 1 October 2026

If you would like further information about this role, please email us at [email protected]

EREA VSL is a child safe and child-centred organisation, committed to the protection of children and young people from harm. EREA VSL has no tolerance of abuse. We require all applicants to undergo an extensive screening process prior to appointment in accordance with legislative and EREA VSL policies and procedures.

📌 Director, Safeguarding (North Melbourne)
🏢 EDMUND RICE EDUCATION AUSTRALIA VICTORIAN SCHOOLS
📍 North Melbourne