Delivering an executive search to secure a visionary Catholic educational leader for an independent girls’ college in Melbourne
The Brief
Future Leadership™ was engaged by an independent Catholic secondary school for girls in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs to appoint a new Principal following a period of leadership turnover and shifting enrolment dynamics. The appointment was critical to strengthening community confidence, stabilising student numbers, and advancing the College’s long‑term strategy.
The College, proudly part of Dominican Education Australia, sought a leader with strong Catholic identity, deep commitment to girls’ education and the capability to unite staff, students and families through a period of change. With enrolments trending downwards the incoming Principal needed to balance strategic renewal with cultural stewardship, strengthen academic excellence, and elevate the school’s profile in a highly competitive market.
The Board emphasised the need for an experienced Principal with strong commercial acumen, the capacity to think innovatively, and an outward‑facing presence capable of building partnerships, boosting enrolments and championing the school’s identity. The role also required a leader able to harmonise wellbeing and academic achievement, maintain staff morale following the loss of key leaders, and uphold the Dominican commitment to truth, justice and service.
Future Leadership™ was asked to design and execute a comprehensive national search, targeting high‑calibre Catholic educational leaders with a proven track record of leading complex school environments and delivering strategic transformation, while embodying the values essential to this faith‑based, girls’ education setting.
The Process
Future Leadership™ undertook a national executive search process tailored to the unique context of the College and its Dominican tradition. The process was designed to surface leaders with the strategic capability, faith alignment and educational expertise required to guide the school through its next chapter.
Key steps included:
- Briefing and Strategy Development
A detailed briefing was conducted with the Board, involving directors and senior business services leaders, to refine the capabilities, leadership profile and cultural attributes required. Further stakeholder engagement and an on‑site visit were scheduled to deepen understanding of the College’s environment, facilities and strategic goals. - Targeted Candidate Search
A comprehensive national and international search was launched, supported by online advertising, engagement with referral partners, outreach to Future Leadership™ networks and targeted mapping of principals and senior leaders in comparable independent schools. The search prioritised experienced principals and senior Catholic educators with strong records in girls’ education, strategic leadership, community engagement and governance. - Candidate Assessment
All candidates were evaluated against the Future Leadership Capability Framework, focusing on Strategy and Purpose, Communication and Influence, Organisational Capability and Innovation and Creativity. Shortlisted candidates progressed through structured interviews, capability assessment and alignment checks regarding Catholic identity, pastoral leadership and commitment to girls’ education. - Final Evaluation and Board Presentation
Finalists engaged with the Selection Committee through panel interviews and scenario‑based discussions addressing enrolment growth, wellbeing strategy, academic excellence and community engagement. Due diligence included comprehensive referencing, governance experience review, and evaluation of their capacity to lead a faith‑filled community grounded in the Dominican tradition.
This structured, multi‑layered search ensured the Board had deep insight into each candidate’s leadership capability, cultural fit and strategic alignment with the College’s aspirations for the future.
Future Leadership Capability Framework
Strategy and Purpose
Develops and leads strategy for the function or organisation, taking a broad and long term perspective. Understands and considers context, communicates and gains buy in to organisational goals, direction and vision, and promotes change initiatives.
Communication and Influence
Articulates messages with clarity and impact to build understanding, inspire action, persuade others and enable information exchange. Considers the audience and draws on different styles to create impact.
Organisational Capability
Understands the organisation’s future requirements and identifies opportunities to build potential across the organisation, developing others and addressing skill gaps to ensure future readiness.
Culture and Engagement
Fosters a positive culture, creating a sense of belonging and inclusiveness. Creates an environment that encourages diverse perspectives and facilitates a psychologically safe environment.
Innovation and Creativity
Understands the organisation’s future requirements and identifies opportunities to build potential across the organisation, developing others and addressing skill gaps to ensure future readiness.
The Outcome
The process resulted in the appointment of an experienced Catholic educational leader, distinguished by more than twenty years of service in Catholic education and demonstrated capability across strategic, pedagogical, community and organisational leadership.
Their background included significant experience as Deputy Principal – Learning and Teaching and service as Acting Principal in a comparable independent girls’ school, where they led curriculum innovation, digital transformation, wellbeing integration and evidence‑based improvement. The appointee possessed strong governance and financial acumen, strengthened through completion of the Australian Institute of Company Directors Course, and demonstrated deep alignment with Catholic identity and the Dominican charism.
Well known for a relational and visible leadership style, they brought a proven ability to build trust, mentor emerging leaders, foster high‑performing teams and strengthen academic outcomes through contemporary pedagogy and data‑informed practice. Their experience in navigating change, managing complex organisational environments and uniting communities during leadership transitions positioned them to bring stability, energy and strategic clarity to the Principal role.
The appointed Principal is expected to strengthen enrolments, elevate external reputation, deepen wellbeing and academic integration, and lead with faith, courage and compassion as the College enters its next era of growth and transformation.
