- Strategic operational leadership in a values‑led school
- Partner to the Principal and School Council
- Enable outstanding learning, wellbeing and community experience
The Position
Lauriston Girls’ School seeks to appoint a strategic, people‑centred and systems‑focused leader as Chief Operating Officer (COO). A key member of the Principal’s Executive Team, the COO is a trusted partner to the Principal and School Council and will provide leadership across the School’s operational portfolios including finance, infrastructure, risk and compliance to ensure people, systems and resources are aligned to Lauriston’s strategic direction and purpose.
Reporting to the Principal, the COO will lead and coordinate key operational functions across the School, working collaboratively with academic and pastoral leaders to remove barriers to teaching and learning. The position will provide high‑quality advice, analysis and reporting to support effective governance, resource stewardship and informed decision‑making. This appointment presents an opportunity to refresh structures, redesign processes and embed clearer accountability and ownership across corporate services. The COO will play a pivotal role in supporting sustainable growth, strengthening service delivery and enhancing the experience of students, staff and families.
The successful candidate will be a collaborative and pragmatic leader who builds trust across all staff, demonstrates genuine respect for educators and the School’s purpose, and brings the commercial and operational discipline required to support a high‑performing environment. Comfortable operating in ambiguity, the COO will bring calm, steady leadership, a willingness to roll up their sleeves and the capability to sequence change thoughtfully to build momentum and lasting impact. Presenting with a strong service ethic and a systems‑thinking mindset, the appointee will demonstration prior experience in building organisational capability and strengthening operational foundations in a complex and
changing environment. With a focus on people leadership, automation and continuous improvement, the role is central to ensuring that operational excellence is a powerful enabler of student learning, staff wellbeing and community confidence. Experience within an independent school environment is not essential, and candidate from other complex, purpose-le environments are encouraged to apply.
The successful appointee will be offered a five year contract.
The Organisation
Lauriston Girls’ School is an independent, non‑denominational day school for girls, located in Armadale in Melbourne’s inner south‑eastern suburbs. Established in 1901, Lauriston is co‑educational in early learning, with girls‑only education from Prep to Year 12, and offers both the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) and the International Baccalaureate (IB) in Years 11 and 12.
Guided by its vision to be a School for Life, Lauriston inspires courageous, ethical and compassionate lifelong learners. The School’s culture is grounded in strong relationships, intellectual curiosity, creativity and courage, and is supported by a deep commitment to student wellbeing, outstanding educational programs and a vibrant, values‑driven community.
Lauriston offers an environment rich in opportunity, from its unique Year 9 Howqua program to its emphasis on leadership, the arts, sport and a strong digital future. The School is proud of its tradition of innovation and its focus on preparing young women to thrive in a rapidly changing world.
For more information on the School visit: www.lauriston.vic.edu.au
To Apply: Please click the ‘Apply Now’ button, using reference LGScoo0326. Address your cover letter and resume to Liz Jones or Alice Silver, of Future Leadership, or call 1300 347 437 for further information.
