Job description
Agency Department of Education and Training Work unit Office of CEO Job title Chief Executive Officer Designation Executive Contract Officer 6

Job type
Full time Duration Fixed for 4 years Remuneration package $398,266 Location Darwin Position number 19000 RTF 358460 Closing 25/10/2026 Contact Officer Ryan Webster, Client Partner, Six Degrees Executive on 0483 956 319 or [email protected] About the agency https://education.nt.gov.au/ Apply online https://jobs.nt.gov.au/Home/JobDetails?rtfId=358460 APPLICATIONS MUST INCLUDE A ONE-PAGE SUMMARY ABOUT YOU, A DETAILED RESUME AND COPIES OF YOUR TERTIARY QUALIFICATIONS. Information for applicants – inclusion and diversity The NTPS values diversity. The NTPS encourages people from all diversity groups to apply for vacancies and accommodates people with disability by making reasonable workplace adjustments. If you require an adjustment for the recruitment process or job, please discuss this with the contact officer. For more information about applying for this position and the merit process, go to the OCPE website. Context Statement The cultural and geographic diversity, scale and complexity of the Northern Territory present both challenges and opportunities in the design and delivery of responsive, fit-for-purpose education policy and services. Approximately 30 per cent of the Territory's population is Aboriginal, with a significant proportion living in regional and remote locations, often where English is a second or third language and access to services and economic opportunity is limited. This context differentiates the Territory from other Australian jurisdictions and requires tailored, place-based approaches to education delivery. The Department of Education and Training provides education to Territorians from the early years through to adulthood, and holds strategic policy, regulatory, delivery and support responsibilities spanning early learning and development, school education, senior secondary pathways, and Vocational Education and Training in Schools (VETiS), together with tertiary education support and a regulatory function over non-government schools and early childhood services through Quality Education and Care NT (QECNT). The department employs approximately 4,800 people, including around 4,000 teachers, principals and other school-based staff. Every school day, the department delivers public education to around 33,000 students across 151 schools, supplemented by around 40 homeland learning centres serving small, remote student cohorts. Of the 188 government and non-government schools in the NT, 83 have close to 100 per cent Indigenous enrolment and 91 have Indigenous enrolments above 80 per cent; together accounting for around 23 per cent of all students. This is a large, complex and geographically dispersed system in which the CEO must balance system-wide reform with genuinely place-based delivery. The Role The role of CEO is accountable for the delivery across the Northern Territory of strategic high level policy, programs and services across the agriculture and fisheries portfolios, aligned with Government's priorities and commitments and consistent with intergovernmental agreements. The CEO acts as a steward of the broader NTPS providing strategic leadership and direction to Government, industry and the community. The work of NTPS CEOs has both immediate and long-term influence and impact across all NT communities and all sectors of the economy. The CEO actively leads, participates in and contributes to interagency collaboration and is a member of the CEO Coordination Committee, ensuring the sector is delivering Government priorities in a connected and streamlined way, and that there is a united leadership voice throughout the NTPS.



NTPS CEOs contribute to an effective and cohesive NTPS. They provide professional/specialist expertise, policy advice, program and service delivery, and regulatory administration at a high level; promote cooperation within and between other agencies including to deliver outcomes across agency and portfolio boundaries. They are expected to promote, by personal example, the NTPS Values, the NTPS Employment Principles and compliance with the Code of Conduct. Capabilities for this Role The NTPS Capability Framework (CF) applies to all NTPS employees. CF13 applies to this vacancy. The framework is available here
- NTPS Capability Framework. Key Capabilities *Shapes strategic thinking
* – the CEO sets direction, understanding the agency’s purpose and strengths, government priorities and community needs. They communicate a clear and compelling vision for the department that is meaningful to others. They make decisions in complex and ambiguous environments in the absence of complete information and anticipate and lead change in a planned way. They ensure effective risk operating models and governance. The CEO engages with current ideas, promotes innovation and works across agencies, the private and not for profit sectors to develop solutions. *Achieves results
* – the CEO focuses on the work only they can do. They drive a high performance, continuous improvement culture, commit to action, develop workforce capability, and ensure employee safety and well-being. The CEO ensures their management team performs strongly as a team, coordinating decision making and resource allocation to ensure each reinforces priorities. They commit to mentoring and development of direct reports. They build a learning culture, focus on results, motivate others and remain calm under pressure. *Cultivates productive working relationships
* – The CEO builds and sustains positive internal and external relationships based on trust, respect, and integrity. They drive a culture of customer experience excellence, and manage challenging stakeholders with diplomacy and tact. They Page 1 of 2

Job description
value diversity and have a strong appreciation of cultural difference and needs, in both the workforce and the customer base. They enable collaboration and expect inclusive work practices and service delivery throughout the department. *Exemplifies personal drive and integrity
* – The CEO deliberately chooses how to behave and leads by example. They act in accordance with NTPS legislative frameworks, model ethical behaviour and consistently apply ethical standards to self and others. The CEO is prepared to provide impartial and forthright advice, make tough corporate decisions and have difficult conversations in a fair, considered and constructive manner. The CEO is committed to their own development and continuous self-improvement and learns from experience. They actively seek feedback to enhance their leadership and ensure sound decision making. *Communicates with influence
* – the CEO builds credibility, authority and reputation of self and the organisation through open communication, active listening, and confident negotiation. They communicate appropriate to the situation both strategically and tactically, and in ways that promote trust, respect and integrity. Key Duties and Responsibilities 1.



Overarching responsibility for delivering NT Government strategic policies and priorities, and Commonwealth strategies, for early childhood, school education and vocational education and training. 2. Effective and efficient resource management and leadership that ensures the department meets Government and corporate objectives, through a strong corporate governance framework and a culture of accountability and high performance. 3. Provide strong strategic and collaborative leadership to government and non-government schools, departmental employees, industry and early childhood providers, including setting a clear strategic direction. 4. Develop and sustain effective collaborative partnerships and strategic alliances at local, national and international levels. 5. As a member of the Coordination Committee of Chief Executives, contribute to the Northern Territory's strategic direction, monitor performance and lead sub-committees as required. 6. Provide high-calibre advice and coordinate the implementation of strategic policy issues in early childhood, school education and training development and delivery in the NT. 7. Foster a positive, high-performance workplace culture through exemplary leadership practices and role modelling behaviour. Selection Criteria Essential 1. Tertiary qualifications in a relevant discipline combined with relevant senior executive experience, or an equivalent combination of substantial relevant senior executive experience and education/training. 2. Thorough knowledge and understanding of contemporary issues, government initiatives and frameworks relating to early childhood, school education and vocational education and training sectors, and the impact of these on a jurisdiction such as the Territory, or other relevant experience. 3. Successful track record leading a large, multidisciplinary, multicultural organisation (preferably in the public sector), applying strong business acumen and political sensitivity, and successfully guiding, coaching and developing executive reports through influence and strategic alliances with peers and stakeholders across government and non-government sectors. 4. Proven high-level executive experience driving change and organisational excellence in ambiguous and complex environments, understanding the range of factors affecting change, and identifying long-term risks and opportunities. 5. Comprehensive understanding of the Australian system of government and the context in which the public sector operates, together with demonstrated capability to work successfully within these structures, including evaluating and presenting high-level briefings, reports and advice on complex issues. 6. Exemplary skills and demonstrated ability to deliver required results in managing organisational budgets/finances, resources, assets and accountability frameworks, combined with strong evidence of successfully engaging with and managing organisational risk. 7. Demonstrated ability to deal with complex economic, social policy and other highly sensitive issues in consultation with, and at the direction of, Government, together with highly successful interpersonal, communication, negotiation and influencing skills, including with people from different cultures. 8. Proven ability to implement major cross-agency policies and programs addressing government and community priorities, and to drive reforms that deliver effective, high-quality education and training outcomes across a diverse jurisdiction with significant regional and remote service requirements. 9. Post-graduate qualifications in business, management or other relevant discipline. Further Information The successful applicant will be required to undergo a criminal history check and obtain a current NT Working with Children Notice (Ochre Card). Qualifications will need to be sighted.

📌 Chief Executive Officer (Darwin)
🏢 NT Government - Department of Education and Training
📍 Darwin