Executive Director – Charles Darwin University TAFE

• ​​​Shape the future of vocational education across the Northern Territory​​
• ​​​​Lead transformation, quality and growth across CDU TAFE​​​
• ​​​Drive a $64M training portfolio with statewide impact and influence​​

Charles Darwin University (CDU) is one of Australia's most distinctive dual-sector universities, recognised for its commitment to access, innovation and delivering real-world impact. Serving urban, regional and remote communities across the Northern Territory, CDU works in partnership with industry, government and First Nations organisations to strengthen workforce capability, support economic development and create pathways to opportunity. CDU is currently undertaking a major program of renewal focused on strengthening quality systems, workforce capability, operational performance and student outcomes to position CDU TAFE as a contemporary, high-performing and industry-responsive provider. As CDU continues to strengthen its position as a leading provider of vocational and higher education, an exceptional opportunity has arisen for an accomplished executive to join the University as Executive Director, CDU TAFE.

Reporting to the Provost, the Executive Director will provide strategic and operational leadership across a significant vocational education portfolio, driving excellence in training delivery, workforce capability, industry engagement, compliance, financial performance and organisational growth. This is a career-defining leadership opportunity to shape the future of vocational education across one of Australia's most diverse and dynamic jurisdictions.

Leading a large and complex operation, you will be responsible for enhancing organisational performance, strengthening quality and compliance frameworks, building workforce capability and fostering trusted partnerships with industry, government, communities and First Nations stakeholders. The role will also drive digital capability and operational excellence, and ensure that CDU TAFE is responsive to emerging workforce and economic priorities across the Territory. Success in the role will be defined by the ability to strengthen student outcomes, respond to workforce development priorities and position CDU TAFE as a contemporary, innovative and high-performing provider. Equally important will be the capacity to build a culture of accountability, continuous improvement and high performance across the organisation, creating lasting value for students, employers and the broader community.

The successful candidate will be an accomplished senior executive with a proven track record leading complex vocational education, TAFE, registered training organisation (RTO) or dual-sector environments. You will bring extensive experience leading large-scale education and training operations, coupled with strong operational, financial and workforce management capability. Your ability to drive organisational improvement, build high-performing teams, enhance operational and educational performance and deliver strategic outcomes will be complemented by a deep understanding of compliance, quality assurance and highly regulated environments.be complemented by a deep understanding of compliance, quality assurance and highly regulated environments. You will be recognised for your exceptional stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to build trusted and enduring partnerships across diverse sectors and communities. Most importantly, you will possess the resilience, sound judgement and emotional intelligence required to lead through complexity and change, together with a genuine commitment to creating meaningful and lasting impact through education, workforce development and community outcomes across the Northern Territory.

To view the Success Profile for this opportunity, please copy and paste the following link into your browser: https: //tinyurl.com/3f5r872d

To apply, please click ‘apply now’ and upload your CV and Cover Letter. For any questions not outlined in the PD and for a confidential discussion, please contact Natasha Diamond on 0412 822 348 or Kelly Lorentz on 0420 694 697.

Davidson acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we work and live. We are also committed to equal opportunity and strive to promote diversity, inclusion, belonging, flexibility, and accessibility in all that we do.

Should you require assistance in your interactions with us or through a recruitment process, please let us know so we can provide adjustments for you.

Applications close on 8 July 2026.