Team Leader Initial Accreditation in Sydney

This is an exciting leadership opportunity within the Teacher Education and Accreditation directorate at the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA), where you will lead a team responsible for assessing and processing initial teacher accreditation applications across NSW. In this role, you will play a critical part in supporting high-quality teaching standards by ensuring accreditation decisions are accurate, timely and compliant with legislation and policy.

Leading a team of Assessment Officers, you will drive operational excellence, champion continuous improvement initiatives, and work collaboratively with your team and with stakeholders to enhance service delivery and customer experience. This is a fantastic opportunity for a people-focused leader who enjoys balancing operational management, stakeholder engagement, and process improvement while contributing to outcomes that support education across NSW.

On a day-to-day basis you will be responsible for:

• Leading and supporting a team of Assessment Officers to deliver accurate and timely assessment of initial teacher accreditation applications.
• Monitoring team performance, workload distribution and service standards to ensure operational targets are achieved.
• Providing guidance and advice on complex accreditation matters, including qualification assessments and eligibility recommendations.
• Coaching and developing team capability, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability and continuous learning.
• Identifying and implementing process improvements to enhance efficiency, quality and customer experience.
• Analysing performance data and application trends to inform operational improvements and decision-making.
• Reviewing and maintaining process documentation to ensure compliance with legislation, policy and operational requirements.
• Building productive relationships with internal and external stakeholders to support effective service delivery and resolve issues.
• Contributing to strategic projects, system improvements and organisational initiatives that support teacher accreditation services.

Our ideal candidate will have:

• Demonstrated experience leading and developing high-performing teams in a busy operational or regulatory environment, with the ability to balance competing priorities while maintaining quality outcomes.
• Experience managing high-volume assessment, compliance, customer service or application-processing functions with a strong focus on accuracy, efficiency and continuous improvement.
• Proven ability to analyse information, solve complex problems and make sound recommendations based on evidence, policy and legislative requirements.
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to explain complex information clearly, influence outcomes and build productive working relationships across diverse stakeholder groups.
• Experience identifying and implementing process improvements, using data and insights to drive operational efficiency and improve customer experience.
• The ability to lead through change, support workforce capability development and foster a collaborative, customer-focused team culture.
• Knowledge of current policies, processes and issues relating to teacher accreditation in NSW.

Note: A current NSW Working with Children Check (WWCC) clearance for paid employment is required before commencing in this role. It is not required at the application stage. The cost of the WWCC clearance is the responsibility of the successful applicant.

At NESA you will benefit from:

• An organisation where your contribution has a big impact.
• An enviable CBD location (all modes of transport nearby, and excellent coffee and eateries) with refurbished offices.
• Flexible working arrangements and generous leave entitlements.
• Access to discounted health and fitness memberships via Fitness Passport, an employee assistance program and annual flu vaccinations.
• Salary packaging options.
• Working in a purpose driven and ethical organisation with committed colleagues.

NESA’s Statement of Commitment to Child Safety: All children and young people have the right to be respected, feel safe, be safe, and protected from harm. NESA is committed to child safety and child safe practices underpinning our purpose of helping children and young people leave school, ready to take advantage of life’s opportunities and rise to its inevitable challenges. We particularly welcome applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability, people of all ages, genders, cultural and linguistic backgrounds and the LGBTQIA+ community.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. For ongoing roles, you must be an Australian or New Zealand citizen or an Australian Permanent Resident. Australian Temporary Residents may be considered for a fixed term contract for the length of their visa, depending on the requirements of the hiring area and the position.