EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR REGIONS AND COMMUNITY

• Executive Leadership Opportunity
• Full time, 3-year executive contract
• Location: Metropolitan Adelaide or Regional South Australia
• View: Role Description

TAFE SA, South Australia’s largest vocational education and training provider, is seeking a senior executive leader to drive state-wide engagement and community impact, aligning regional priorities with education access and workforce outcomes across South Australia.

The Executive Director: Regions and Community leads TAFE SA’s state-wide engagement strategy, driving strong local impact and strengthening participation across metropolitan, regional and remote communities. The role provides strategic leadership across campus activation, community and First Nations engagement and regional partnerships, ensuring TAFE SA remains connected, responsive and relevant to the communities it serves. With a focus on building pathways into education and employment, the role supports regional economic and social development while advancing TAFE SA’s Closing the Gap priorities and overseeing key services, including childcare and creche operations.

The Impact You Will Lead

Reporting to the Chief Executive and working closely with the Executive team, you will:

• Lead TAFE SA’s regional and place-based engagement strategy, driving strong local impact and aligning education delivery with regional economic and workforce priorities.
• Strengthen campus activation and community presence, positioning campuses as accessible training and community hubs that increase participation and engagement across metropolitan, regional and remote areas.
• Drive strategic partnerships and community engagement, building relationships with government, industry, local leaders and community organisations to support regional development and social inclusion.
• Champion Aboriginal engagement and Closing the Gap priorities, fostering culturally responsive approaches and meaningful partnerships to improve participation, outcomes and community capability.
• Provide executive leadership across regional operations and community services, including childcare and creche services, ensuring strong governance, performance, and alignment to TAFE SA’s strategic direction.

Your Capability

You are a respected senior executive with:

• Proven executive leadership experience, with strong strategic thinking capability, commercial acumen and the ability to analyse complex issues and deliver well‑informed, high‑impact recommendations.
• Demonstrated success in large, complex and highly regulated environments, with a strong track record of developing, implementing and delivering organisational strategies.
• Highly developed political, sector and organisational awareness, with the ability to anticipate and manage strategic, operational and reputational risks, and navigate government policy and processes.
• Resilient and adaptable leader, able to respond to changing priorities, lead transformation initiatives and drive continuous improvement in dynamic environments.
• A genuine commitment to equity, cultural safety and engagement with First Nations communities

Qualifications:

• Tertiary qualifications in a relevant field (e.g. business, public administration, education, law, policy, economics)
• Postgraduate or executive leadership qualifications highly desirable

Why Join TAFE SA?

This is a rare opportunity to influence education at scale and contribute directly to the prosperity and wellbeing of South Australia. You will lead with purpose, shape the future workforce, and leave a legacy of impact through public education.

At TAFE SA, our values shape how we work — We Work As One, We Do What Matters, and We Step Up.

Learn more about our values and what it’s like to work at TAFE SA: TAFESA Values

Conditions: National Police Check, South Australia DHS Working with Children Check, eligibility to work in Australia, and availability for out-of-hours and interstate/international travel.

Ready to Take your Next Step?

Applications must be submitted online and should include a brief cover letter (1–2 pages) and a copy of your CV.

For enquiries and a copy of the Candidate Briefing Document, please contact Grace Cultura - Talent Acquisition Manager, People & Culture via email at [email protected]

Inclusion and Flexibility Statement

Be you, be valued, be included. At TAFE SA, we celebrate diversity and encourage all applicants including First Nations peoples, Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities, LGBTIQA+ individuals, people with disability, and neurodiverse talent. Need support applying? Let us know!

Empower. Impact. Reconcile. Discover our Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan

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