Executive Director Care and Custodial Support - Child Safety & Youth Justice Operations - 989220

This is a Department built entirely for children and young people and their communities.  Our ultimate goal is to work together to ensure that every child and young person in Tasmania is known, safe, well and learning.

The child is at the centre of everything we do and the way we do it.

Role Overview

The Tasmanian Department for Education, Children and Young People is seeking a dynamic and strategic leader for the newly established role of Executive Director – Care and Custodial Support Services. This senior executive position is central to the Department’s reform agenda, overseeing the delivery of therapeutic, child-centred services across a continuum of care settings for children and young people engaged with the Tasmanian child safety and youth justice system.  The successful candidate will lead statewide operations, drive continuous improvement and the expansion of tailored care options for children and young people, and work collaboratively across government and community sectors to ensure the safety, wellbeing, and development of Tasmania’s most vulnerable children and young people.

Duties

Lead the delivery of high-quality services across the youth justice continuum, including Out of Home Care, improving the approach to therapeutically designed services that respond to the needs of children and young people. Provide definitive, high-level strategic advice and recommendations to a broad range of diverse stakeholders including the Secretary, Agency Executive Board, senior Government Officers and the Minister on matters related to the areas of responsibility.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership: Lead the delivery, improvement and expansion of care services provided to children and young people engaged with Tasmania’s child safety and youth justice system, ensuring they are therapeutic, child-centred, and culturally safe.
• Service Excellence: Oversee statewide care coordination and custodial support services, ensuring compliance with legislation and best practice.
• Foster Collaboration: Represent the Department and collaborate with government agencies, statutory bodies, and community partners to co-design and implement integrated service responses.
• Governance and Accountability: Manage resources effectively, uphold child safety standards, and contribute to the Department’s senior leadership and strategic direction.

Period of Appointment

ASAP for 5 years.

Hours per fortnight

73.5 hours per fortnight

Essential Requirements

• Current Tasmanian Registration to Work with Vulnerable People (Registration Status - Employment).

• The Head of the State Service has determined that the person nominated for this job is to satisfy a pre-employment check before taking up the appointment, on promotion or transfer. The following checks are to be conducted:

1. Conviction checks in the following areas:
   1. crimes of violence
   2. sex related offences
   3. serious drug offences
   4. crimes involving dishonesty
   5. serious traffic offences
2. Identification check
3. Disciplinary actions in previous employment check

Desirable Requirements

• Relevant tertiary qualifications.
• A senior executive with a proven record of management in a large private or public sector organisation.
• Proven leadership in youth justice, child protection, or related human services, with a strong track record of driving reform and service delivery.
• Deep understanding of therapeutic care models, children’s rights and the ability to manage complex political environments and drive systemic change.
• Demonstrated ability to build productive relationships, influence stakeholders, and lead multidisciplinary teams in high-stakes environments.
• Strong alignment with the Department’s values with a commitment to children’s rights, cultural responsiveness, and inclusive leadership.

Statement of Duties and a reference guide to assist with applying online can be found here: