Lead growth, innovation and quality across professional learning, vocational education and digital services.

Location: Hawthorn East, hybrid

Employment type: 0.8–1.0 FTE

Reports to: Chief Executive Officer

About the roleWe are seeking an experienced and commercially minded Director of Short Courses, VET and Digital Services to lead the strategic growth, quality and operational performance of Cairnmillar’s non-award education, vocational training and digital service portfolio.

This executive role will shape contemporary professional learning and workforce development solutions across mental health, allied health, education and community services. It will lead the development of short courses, micro-credentials, VET programs and technology-enabled services that are industry-responsive, financially sustainable and capable of extending Cairnmillar’s impact.

If you are an innovative education leader who can combine strategy, commercial discipline, regulatory oversight, digital capability and solid stakeholder partnerships, we would love to hear from you.

About The Cairnmillar InstituteThe Cairnmillar Institute is a not-for-profit provider of psychological services and higher education, with a 65-year history of supporting mental health and training the next generation of practitioners. We offer clinics, short courses, vocational training and accredited postgraduate programs in psychology, counselling and psychotherapy.

In this role you will

- Develop and deliver a strategic growth plan for short courses, VET programs and digital services, with clear performance, participation and financial targets.
- Lead the design, delivery and evaluation of contemporary professional development, micro-credentials and workforce training that respond to emerging industry needs and evidence-based practice.
- Provide leadership and oversight of VET quality, compliance, industry engagement, student outcomes, regulatory reporting and audit readiness.
- Drive digital learning and service innovation, including online communities of practice, virtual supervision, e-learning,



learning platforms and responsible use of emerging technologies.
- Build strategic partnerships with government, health services, employers, professional bodies, education providers and funding agencies to expand reach and impact.
- Identify and progress new business, tender, grant and contract opportunities that support sustainable growth.
- Lead and develop multidisciplinary teams, creating a culture of collaboration, accountability, inclusion and continuous improvement.
- Monitor portfolio performance, budgets, participant outcomes and service quality, using evidence and insights to inform decisions and improvement.

About youYou are a strategic, collaborative and outcomes-focused leader with the judgement to balance educational quality, regulatory obligations, innovation and commercial sustainability. You can turn emerging workforce needs into practical, high-quality offerings and build trusted relationships across government, industry, education and the community. You bring strong leadership, communication and organisational capability, together with the ability to manage multiple programs, priorities and stakeholders in a changing environment.

You will bring

- Significant leadership experience in education and training, together with workforce development, digital services or a related field.
- Demonstrated success in strategic planning, business growth and the development of financially sustainable education or service portfolios.
- Strong financial and budget management capability.
- Demonstrated understanding of VET regulatory, quality assurance, audit and reporting requirements.
- Experience developing industry-responsive programs,



products or services and evaluating their effectiveness.
- Strong stakeholder engagement skills and a record of building productive external partnerships.
- Proven people leadership and the ability to build capable, collaborative and accountable teams.
- Strong project management, analytical, problem-solving and communication skills.
- A postgraduate qualification in education, psychology, health, management, business, digital learning or a related field.

Desirable: Experience leading digital innovation or technology-enabled learning initiatives; experience in mental health, allied health, community services, higher education or another regulated environment; and current registration as a psychologist or counsellor.

Application detailsApplication closing date: 26th October To apply: Please attach your current CV and a brief statement outlining your interest in the position and how your skills and experience align with the role.

Please refer to the full Position Description for detailed responsibilities and requirements. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

A Police Check and Working with Children Check will be required from the successful applicant as a condition of employment.

Why join Cairnmillar?

- Flexible hybrid and remote working options
- A supportive and collaborative team environment
- Opportunities for learning, development and professional growth
- Meaningful work that contributes to mental health, education and community wellbeing
- The opportunity to shape a strategically important growth portfolio
- Salary packaging benefits
- A values-driven culture committed to inclusion, belonging and psychological safety

Our organisation is committed to child safety. We have zero tolerance for child abuse. Applicants should be aware that we require Working with Children, Police and reference checks.

Cairnmillar is an equal opportunity employer committed to attracting and developing a diverse workforce that reflects the community it serves.

📌 Director of Short Courses, VET and Digital Services (Melbourne)
🏢 The Cairnmillar Institute
📍 Melbourne