Conducting an ”Fast Track” Interim Search for a CEO to Lead Strategic Renewal and Repositioning of a Major Vocational Education Institution in Canberra
The Brief
Future Leadership™ was engaged by a vocational institution to appoint their Interim Chief Executive Officer to lead through a period of significant post-Covid change and renewal. The institution had been impacted by a sharp decline in international student enrolments, a challenged vocational environment and increasing competition, creating an urgent need for campus and program renewal.
Candidate net Promote Score
Future Leadership combines truly personalised relationships with innovative technology solutions to ensure an approachable and efficient process for all our Net Promoter Score across clients, successful candidates and unsuccessful candidates is well above industry standard.
Candidates supported every year
We maintain genuine relationships with past candidates and continue to support them with leadership solutions long term, after they land their role.
We maintain genuine relationships with past candidates and continue to support them with leadership solutions long term, after they land their role.
Over half of the executive search assignments undertaken by our team have resulted in the appointment of outstanding female or LGBTQI+ leaders to high profile roles.
Candidate Retention Rate for 12 months since 2002
Our thorough briefing process and ability to engage passive candidates mean that we go to great lengths to find the right person for the role – long term!
The Process
Future Leadership™ identified several highly experienced interim executives who could be rapidly deployed and relocated if necessary. The successful candidate was a seasoned senior education leader with extensive experience across vocational and dual-sector institutions. Initially appointed for six months, the assignment expanded to a three-year tenure, driving major strategic change and renewal.
This rigorous process ensured the appointment of a candidate capable of delivering operational and strategic leadership.
The Outcome
The interim Chief Executive Officer and executive team implemented transformative initiatives that repositioned the institution for long-term success:
Strategic Plan 2025–2035
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- Focused on future skills, workforce capability, industry partnerships and financial sustainability.
Digital Transformation – “Cloud Campus”
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- Delivered an 11-stream program upgrading enrolment systems, learning technology, timetabling, analytics and educator tools.
- Procurement for a full cloud ecosystem commenced in 2024 to improve productivity and student experience.
Campus Renewal – Woden Campus Opening 2025
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- Consolidated operations into a modern, technology-enabled campus.
- Allocated $38.4m for remediation of the existing campus linked to a major precinct redevelopment.
Governance, Risk & Integrity Reset
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- Strengthened procurement controls post-Operation Luna.
- Introduced a new Fraud & Corruption Control Framework and enhanced risk management policies.
Financial Management Stabilisation
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- Implemented tighter budget accountability, cost structure reviews and liquidity metrics to stabilise finances.
The institution is now delivering strong educational outcomes and high satisfaction levels while navigating structural reform and cost pressures. The combined strategy, digital transformation and campus renewal programs have positioned the organisation as a modern, industry-aligned skills provider for the next decade.
