Principal Advisor - Reviews and School Improvement

Job Reference QLD/CO672200/25P
Closing date January 5, 2026
Location Brisbane Inner City
Status Permanent
Contact 0447 424 073

About this job

About the Office of Reviews and Sport

The Office of Reviews and Sport (the Office) is newly established and will drive continuous improvement and excellence across Queensland state schools, education centres, and school sport. With its dual focus on education and sport, the Office is uniquely positioned to promote improvement, accountability, and capability building for school leaders and young athletes.

As a newly forming Office, this is an exciting opportunity to shape its direction and establish its operations in partnership with the Director. The Office will support two senior executives (Senior Principals) and oversee consultation, development and implementation of targeted reviews and audits as well as the development of new school improvement model.

In addition, the Office will lead Queensland Representative School Sport, playing a pivotal role in shaping the future of school sport by driving change, strengthening governance, and creating opportunities for thousands of young athletes to excel.

About the role

As the Principal Advisor, you will have the unique opportunity to lead the establishment of the Office of Reviews and Sport in collaboration with the Director. You will provide strategic advice and lead key projects to ensure the successful implementation of school, regional, and system reviews while advancing the vision for school sport in Queensland.

To succeed in this role, you must be confident in leading through change, modelling integrity, inspiring a sense of shared purpose and direction, and making sound and measured decisions on matters relating to reviews and sport.

Key responsibilities

As Principal Advisor, your key responsibilities will include but not limited to:

  • Providing high-level strategic and operational advice to senior executives on critical issues related to targeted reviews and audits, and sport, to ensure timely and sensitive management of emerging priorities;
  • Leading and coordinating key projects to successfully implement targeted reviews and audits, as well as school sport programs;
  • Preparing and/or overseeing the development of high-quality, impactful advice for senior executives, including cabinet submissions, ministerial and departmental responses, briefing notes, policy papers, and government reports;
  • Building and maintaining strong, collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders, while representing the Office in key working groups, committees and forums; and
  • Fostering an inclusive, positive workplace culture that fosters collaboration, innovation, and a healthy team environment.

About You:

The ideal applicant will have the following key attributes:

  • Demonstrated experience in leading, motivating and managing teams and others to achieve objectives; 
  • High-level interpersonal and communication skills;
  • Ability to effectively and concisely summarise pertinent information to enable evidence-informed decision-making;
  • Knowledge of government systems, policies and procedures and their application in relation to operational practice;
  • Analytical and conceptual skills and a proven ability to present complex concepts clearly; and
  • Demonstrated experience managing corporate programs, projects and processes at an organisational level and the ability to deal with ambiguity and shifting priorities.

While there are no mandatory qualifications required for this role, possession of relevant tertiary qualifications in public policy, education, or a related field will be highly regarded.

For further information please refer to the attached role description, or contact Charlie Palupe, Director, Office of Reviews and Sport, on 0447 424 703 or via email at charlie.palupe@qed.qld.gov.au.

Instructions for Applicants

To be considered for this role, the following information is required for assessment:

  • a brief resume including contact details for 2 referees (one of whom must be your current supervisor); and
  • a written statement of up to 2 pages that must clearly demonstrate how your skills (may include transferable skills and capabilities) and your work experiences (include recent examples) to outline your suitability to deliver on the key responsibilities of the role.

We welcome all applicants to share any support needed to ensure our recruitment process is inclusive. 

Applications remain current for 12 months from the closing date and may be considered for appointment to identical or similar vacancies within the Department. 

Applications from recruitment agencies will not be accepted.

ed.qld.gov.au">charlie.palupe@qed.qld.gov.au.

Instructions for Applicants

To be considered for this role, the following information is required for assessment:

  • a brief resume including contact details for 2 referees (one of whom must be your current supervisor); and
  • a written statement of up to 2 pages that must clearly demonstrate how your skills (may include transferable skills and capabilities) and your work experiences (include recent examples) to outline your suitability to deliver on the key responsibilities of the role.

We welcome all applicants to share any support needed to ensure our recruitment process is inclusive. 

Applications remain current for 12 months from the closing date and may be considered for appointment to identical or similar vacancies within the Department. 

Applications from recruitment agencies will not be accepted.