Gowrie SA is a progressive organisation that builds on our history and expertise to lead learning and inclusion with children, families and communities. Established in 1940 and formally known as the Lady Gowrie Child Centre Inc. (Adelaide), it was built at the time of the Second World War with a brief to address the issues of poverty, education and poor health outcomes for local, early years aged children. Today Gowrie SA, a community-based not for profit organisation, continues to lead the development of innovative and responsive services for children and families. We offer unique, relationship-based integrated programs that allow time for children to develop deep connections and engage in rich learning experiences. Our practice is informed by theory and research, focusing on community, social justice, reconciliation, and building the capacities of children, educators/teachers and families.

Gowrie takes pride in being a place where people thrive professionally. We are dedicated to the principles of equal opportunity and diversity. We are committed to supporting our employees to succeed.

Chief Executive Officer

Gowrie SA is seeking expressions of interest for a dynamic Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to lead an integrated organisation of multi-disciplinary professionals; offering services in early childhood education and care, professional learning and development to the sector, parent programs and inclusion services. The appointee will lead the organisation, taking ultimate responsibility for the development and provision of services that support the wellbeing and learning of children, families and educators.

The appointee will work closely with and report to the Board of Gowrie SA. As CEO of Gowrie SA, the successful candidate will have an Australian four-year early childhood degree qualification, and proven experience in operational excellence and grants application and management. The key performance indicators of the role include:

Leadership

· Provide strategic direction to staff and the organization, creating a shared purpose that builds and strengthens a continuous improvement culture, develops ‘people capability’ and maintains Gowrie SA’s leadership position across the sector.

· Provide and model distributed leadership throughout the organisation, including leading and supporting the implementation of the Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) and professional learning and development that underpin social justice initiatives and advocacy for children and their families.

· Support site leaders through mentoring to maintain and improve the high standard of education and care provided to children, both internally and externally.

· Manage and review current systems, funding contracts, and the overall performance in all programs, and make recommendations for service improvement and reporting.

Strategic Planning and Innovation

· 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 is implemented and continues to achieve the organisation’s vision and objectives.

· Monitor and respond to opportunities for advocacy.

· Apply for tenders, creating innovative models of delivery, in identified areas of growth for the organisation.

· Maintain and extend staff knowledge of contemporary theories of early childhood development and practice, conduct and apply research, and plan to ensure continuous improvement across programs.

· 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.

Stakeholder Engagement and Satisfaction

· Employ a strategic and systematic approach to building and sustaining relationships with key stakeholders to support strategic alliances and maintain professional and responsive relationships with all funding bodies.

· Demonstrate exceptional relationship management skills and be contextually informed and savvy to ensure the reputation and sector position of Gowrie SA is maintained.

· Work with leaders to strengthen internal and external feedback and program satisfaction through responsive and relational program delivery.

Organisational and Financial Performance

· Ensure the Children’s Program is resourced and informed by the best available evidence relevant to the setting and its community on how children learn and develop, and the practices in early childhood education and care that provide each child the opportunity to reach their potential in partnership with families.

· 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.

· 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.

· Routinely assess risk management and mitigation strategies implemented across the organisation.

· Ensure that Gowrie SA’s marketing, communication and engagement plans support the strategic direction of the organisation.

· Maintain Gowrie SA’s ongoing RTO registration.

· Ensure the overall compliance and financial performance of the organisation by monitoring the productivity of each program in accordance with allocated budgets.

· Review financial systems, reports and performance in order to support the current and future sustainability of Gowrie SA.

This position is a full-time role. Gowrie SA invites all candidates, who are interested and who meet the key selection criteria, to submit an application.

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

Gowrie SA warmly encourages Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and diverse applicants to apply.

A J&P will be sent on request. Please email a covering letter addressing the job and person specification (J&P), resume and two current professional referees, to the HR Officer [email protected].

Applications close 17 October, 2025.