Summary of the position and its responsibilities

Gowrie SA is a progressive, integrated organisation of multidisciplinary professionals offering innovative and responsive services in early childhood education and care, professional learning and development services to the sector, parent support and inclusion services. The CEO of Gowrie SA leads the organisation in the development and provision of services that support the wellbeing, learning and inclusion of children, families and educators.

The CEO ensures innovative responses to changing conditions, and that work is conducted in accordance with the Gowrie SA philosophy, Statement of Commitment, Strategic Plan, Organisational policies and principles of ethics and professionalism.

The CEO works to maintain Gowrie SA’s leadership position in the children’s services sectors.

The annual salary range is $168,000 - $178,000 plus 12% superannuation and will be negotiated depending upon experience, skills and qualifications. 

Operational relationships

The CEO is responsible to the Board of Gowrie SA (Lady Gowrie Child Centre Inc.) with Gowrie SA Program Leaders reporting directly to the CEO.

Agreement, Award and Conditions

The Board reviews the CEO salary annually based on the CEO renumeration policy. Incremental annual reviews will be in line with other non-Award salary increases across the organisation.

Summary of Duties and Key Responsibilities

The key performance indicators (KPI’s) are based around the areas of:

• Leadership (engagement of staff and organisational culture)
• Strategic planning – implementation
• Financial Performance and Management (policies, procedures, monitoring)
• Innovation
• Organisational Performance (structures, statutory requirements and Work Health Safety)
• Stakeholder engagement and satisfaction

Leadership

• Provide and model strategic and professional leadership to the organisation, creating a shared purpose and building capacity in all employees
• Lead professional learning, mentoring and development throughout the organisation
• Proactively advocate for children and families
• Improve integration and cross organisation professional relationships and interactions
• Encourage a culture which strives for growth, continuous improvement and self-development
• Ensure timely constructive evaluation and feedback to all staff via a six monthly performance appraisal system
• Build distributed leadership throughout the organisation
• Provide leadership for the Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) ensuring embedding in Gowrie SA policies and practice
• Provide leadership for social justice initiatives and advocacy
• Create and promote child safe environments
• Review organisational policies and practices and establish clear reporting relationships and communication through the organisation
• Maintain a positive, team orientated culture where constructive feedback and joint problem solving are encouraged, and where trust is fostered
• Manage and review current systems, funding contracts, and overall performance in all Gowrie SA programs and make recommendations for service improvements and reporting

Strategic Planning and Implementation

• In partnership with the Board, drive the strategic direction of the organisation.
• In collaboration with the Board and Senior Leaders, initiate and manage regular processes to ensure the strategic plan across all programs is implemented and continues to achieve the organisation’s vision and objectives.
• Work with Senior Leaders to establish operational plans to support the strategic plan

Financial Performance & Management (policies, procedures, monitoring)

• Ensure the overall compliance and financial performance of the organisation by monitoring the productivity of each program in accordance with allocated and adopted budgets and/or reforecasting
• Monitor the productivity of each program area
• Ensure appropriate financial policies and procedures are in place
• Review the financial performance monthly with Program Leaders
• Ensure audited acquittal reports are conducted annually, or as required, and recommendations are implemented
• Review current financial systems, reports and performance, making recommendations to ensure improved short- term and long-term financial performance is established within an agreed timeframes that sustains programs and projects
• Evaluate programs based on performance, ensuring activities and reporting are compliant in accordance with contractual arrangements made with government or external bodies.
• Provide regular reports to support the Board in the strategic governance of the organisation.
• Review financial systems, reports and performance in order to support the current and future sustainability of Gowrie SA.

Innovation

• Monitor opportunities and apply for tenders in identified areas of growth for the organisation
• Conduct research and apply this research to practice ensuring continuously improving programs
• Disseminate research to the sector/s and key stakeholders
• Support staff to present their learning and programs in conference presentations and in published articles
• Respond to opportunities for advocacy, including through submissions
• Ensure that the children’s program is of the highest standard to maintain the organisation’s quality ratings, reputation, and sector observation and demonstration status
• Work towards ensuring innovation, change and planning is embraced in order to deliver high quality, current practice outcomes across all programs
• Maintain knowledge of contemporary theories of early childhood development and practice
• Ensure the inclusion of children as active participants in decision making that impacts on them
• Maintain current knowledge of government and policy directions in order to capitalise on opportunities available
• Ensure that culturally and linguistically responsive pedagogies and Kaurna language and protocols learning continues to be a priority for children, families, educators and the community.

Organisational Performance (structures, statutory requirements and Work Health Safety)

• Plan for continuous improvement of facilities including building and grounds to meet the changing needs of programs and circumstances, and to provide attractive and safe environments
• Evaluate and fine-tune programs and staffing based on program performance and context
• Ensure adherence to statutory requirements
• Ensure activities are compliant with, and reporting is in accordance with, contractual arrangements with government, external and/or funding bodies
• Conduct cultural surveys of staff satisfaction, and use the outcomes to improve the environment
• Provide monthly reports and support the voluntary Board in their work of strategic and organisation governance
• Ensure risk management assessments and mitigation strategies are in place across all programs and implemented, reviewed and updated as required
• Ensure Gowrie SA’s marketing, communication and engagement plan is current and effective
• Ensure policies are reviewed and updated at least every 2 years to maintain currency
• Maintain the RTO registration

Stakeholder Engagement and satisfaction

• Ensure mechanisms are in place to gain feedback from stakeholders and review feedback received
• Ensure a systematic approach to relationships with key stakeholders
• Seek strategic alliances
• Continue to work with national Gowrie organisations through the Gowrie Australia CEO group
• Ensure appropriate Gowrie SA senior staff have representation on relevant committees and groups
• Maintain strategic relationships with funding bodies
• Ensure communications are well directed and of high quality
• Ensure a focus always remains on client service excellence
• Develop and maintain relationships with relevant stakeholders including:
  
  • State government
  • Federal government
  • Local government
  • Funding agencies/foundations/societies
  • Regional groups
  • Politicians (all levels of government)
  • Universities and TAFE
  • Funders and donors
  • Social services and other non-profit organisations
  • Relevant local and peak bodies
  • Media
  • Staff
  • Unions

Key Program Area - Children’s Programs

• Support leaders to maintain and improve the high standard of education and care for children
• Ensure attachment theory continues as the foundation of the children’s programs
• Ensure the quality is of a sufficient standard at all times
• Ensure recruitment processes are fair and reasonable, while focusing on high quality applicants
• Ensure all practices are in line with current theories of early childhood development, HR and WHS practices

Professional Knowledge

• An in-depth knowledge of and demonstrated commitment to the children’s services sector/s and proven experience to analyse and predict issues in service delivery, support and specialist services, as well as the pre- service provision for the sectors
• Demonstrated knowledge of the National Frameworks including the National Quality Standard (NQS) and its implementation in children’s services
• A working knowledge of local, state and federal political directions

Personal Specification: Qualifications/Experience

• 4 year early childhood degree level qualification essential
• Advanced qualifications in Early Childhood Education desirable (such as Master of Education)
• At least 5 years direct experience in early childhood services
• Current SA Teacher Registration
• Satisfactory DCSI Child Related Employment Screening
• Current Responding to Abuse and Neglect Certificate

Personal Specification: Person Abilities, Aptitudes and Skills

• Ability to lead an organisation in a politically sensitive sector and deliver organisational objectives, whilst taking into account the impact on various sectors (not-for-profit, for-profit, government and corporate) on the provision of children’s services.
• High level ability to influence and negotiate with government departments, prepare budget information and accurate reporting, devise and develop tenders and submissions, and establish evaluative mechanisms
• Demonstrated superior communication skills including writing skills and the ability to communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders and government agencies
• Ability to manage a high and complex workload to deliver organisational outcomes within established deadlines
• Proven high-level experience in managing human and financial resources effectively
• Proven and high level experience in providing appropriate policy and practice advice within the wider community
• Demonstrated experience in the design and successful implementation of in-service education professional learning and development programs for the sector, and understanding of and interest in research and evaluation.
• High level ability to lead an organisation and create a professional and positive culture
• A commitment to ongoing learning and education across all levels of the organisation, particularly in the areas of qualifications and professional learning and development
• Understanding of and a strong commitment to social justice, Reconciliation and inclusivity
• A knowledge of and commitment to Equal Opportunity, Work Health Safety & Welfare

Special Conditions

Ability to work flexibly and conduct interstate travel, with overnight stays as required.