The Brief
Future Leadership was delighted to support the appointment of a Director General to lead one of Australia’s largest public education systems, during a time of transformation and increasing complexity in education delivery. This pivotal leadership role is responsible for advancing student achievement across all schools, strengthening system-wide performance, and ensuring equitable access to quality education for every learner. The Director General will provide strategic direction and effective management of the system’s operations, while delivering on long-term educational and organisational priorities. In addition to overseeing key reforms and initiatives, the appointee is also tasked with offering expert, independent advice to the Minister and relevant authorities to inform policy and drive continuous improvement across the sector.
The Process
Future Leadership undertook a comprehensive briefing to gain a deep understanding of the role and its strategic context. Led by Jenny Ethell and Larissa Langley, the search focused on identifying candidates with the capability to engage confidently across all levels of government and stakeholders, and who demonstrated strong conceptual thinking, policy expertise, and a future-focused mindset. The successful candidate needed to think critically, navigate complexity, and manage risk effectively. A strong shortlist was presented, including candidates from both interstate and international backgrounds, with final selection supported by thorough interviews, referencing, and probity checks.
The Outcome
Following a rigorous three-month national search process, Future Leadership successfully appointed candidates to both the Deputy Director General, Schools and Deputy Director General, Education Business Services roles. The appointee to the Schools portfolio is a highly accomplished educational leader with deep expertise in system-wide leadership, strategic and analytical thinking, and the ability to navigate complexity with nuance and clarity. Their track record reflects a commitment to improving educational outcomes at scale through collaborative leadership and evidence-based practice. The appointee to the Education Business Services role brings over two decades of senior executive experience across large, complex public sector organisations, with a strong reputation for transformational leadership, operational excellence, and driving reform in high-stakes environments. Both appointments reflect Future Leadership’s commitment to identifying future-focused leaders capable of steering major education systems through periods of change and opportunity.
