Head of Operations – Tasmania’s First Multi-School Organisation (MSO)

Lead a bold new chapter in Tasmania’s reform of government schools

In January 2025, following the Independent Review of Education in Tasmania, the Tasmanian Government announced a trial of Multi-School Organisations (MSOs) within the government school system. MSOs are strong families of schools, brought together under shared leadership and governance to drive improvement, equity, and innovation at scale.

The MSO model is inspired by England’s Multi-Academy Trust model, which Grattan Institute’s 2024 Spreading Success report identified as international best practice. The trial is being delivered through a partnership between the Tasmanian Government and McKinnon – an independent not-for-profit organisation.

The Department for Education, Children and Young People (DECYP) is seeking dynamic and experienced Head of Operations to join the founding executive team of Tasmania’s first MSO, launching in early 2026. This is a rare opportunity to shape a new educational institution, as well as broader statewide policy, from the ground up.

The Head of Operations, reporting to the CEO, will be responsible for:

• Designing and delivering the operational backbone of the MSO, ensuring schools can focus on teaching and learning while benefiting from high-quality centralised support.
• Leading the optimisation of resource use, including finance, human and physical resources, compliance, communications and risk management – ensuring consistent service delivery that is both efficient and scalable, in line with DECYP policies.
• Working closely with the CEO to align the operations strategy with educational priorities, ensuring every decision supports the MSO’s mission to improve student outcomes and close equity gaps.
• Recruiting and managing a lean central office to oversee these operational functions as the MSO grows.

We are looking for someone with a strong track record in operational leadership, ideally in a multi-site or regulated environment. You may come from education, but we are equally open to candidates from corporate, government, or not-for-profit sectors who bring commercial acumen, strategic thinking, and a deep commitment to public service. You will be comfortable navigating ambiguity, building systems from scratch, and leading through change. You are hands on, a problem-solver, a collaborator, someone who thrives in a start-up environment, and is motivated by the opportunity to make a lasting impact on the lives of young people in Tasmania.

This role offers the chance to be part of a pioneering reform effort with national and international significance. You will work alongside a passionate and expert team, supported by local and international advisors, and contribute to a model that could reshape how school improvement is delivered in Australia.

If you are excited by the challenge of building something new and believe in the power of great operations to enable great education, we would love to hear from you.

How to apply:

DECYP are partnering with an external agency, Perrett Laver for the recruitment of this role.

Applications must be submitted through Perrett Laver directly via the following link Perrett Laver - Leading Global Executive Search Firm quoting reference 7963 for Head of Operations.

• View the Statement of Duties/Position Description and applicant guide.
• Please submit a CV and covering letter, detailing how you fulfil the role description and personal specification
  
  You can view the Statement of Duties here

The deadline for applications is 9am AEST, Monday 13th October.

Formal interviews will be taking place virtually in late October and in person in Tasmania in early-mid November. If you require any reasonable adjustments to assist you in the selection process, please advise us of these so that we can make appropriate arrangements.

For a conversation in confidence please contact: Jason Murdoch [email protected]