_{13th February, 2026}

Head of Safety Assurance
Catholic Early EdCare (CEEC) Paddington, Brisbane | Full-Time | Permanent | Vehicle Included (deductable)
 
Safety isn't a department. It's a discipline.
At Catholic Early EdCare, safety is not just policy compliance or reporting cycles.
It is culture. It is leadership behaviour. It is governance maturity. It is how children are protected — every single day.
We are now seeking a Head of Safety Assurance — a senior, independent assurance leader who can step back, see the whole system, challenge where needed, and provide executive-level confidence that our Safety First culture is effective, compliant, and continuously improving.
This is not an operational safety role. This is independent assurance at scale.
 
The Organisation
Catholic Early EdCare operates more than 135 early learning and OSHC services across Queensland.
We are a not-for-profit organisation. Children sit at the centre of our decisions — not margin.
As we continue to grow, we are strengthening governance maturity, assurance capability, and strategic risk oversight across the enterprise.
This role sits within our Safety Leadership Team and reports to the General Manager, Safety.
 
The Purpose of This Role
The Head of Safety Assurance provides:

• Independent validation that safety initiatives are working 
• Governance confidence to senior leaders and boards
• Enterprise-wide safety assurance frameworks
• QA2 performance oversight and forecasting
• Thematic reviews and deep risk diagnostics
• Strategic insight into emerging safeguarding risk trends

You will not "run" safety programs.
You will assure, validate, test, challenge and elevate them.
 
What You Will Actually Do
This role is about thinking at the system level.
You will:
 
✔ Conduct thematic reviews and deep-dive audits
✔ Analyse incident, complaint, and safeguarding data for systemic risk patterns
✔ Identify root causes — not just surface symptoms
✔ Provide forward-looking governance reporting to the Senior Leadership Team
✔ Validate the effectiveness of Safety First initiatives
✔ Ensure regulatory reporting quality and compliance thresholds are met
✔ Forecast QA2 and safety KPI performance
✔ Escalate systemic risks early — before they become crises
✔ Translate complex assurance findings into clear executive insights
 
This role requires professional courage. You must be comfortable challenging assumptions — respectfully, constructively, and objectively.
 
Who This Role Suits
This opportunity will strongly suit someone with:

• Tertiary qualifications in Risk, Governance, Compliance or similar
• Senior assurance or safety governance experience within education, care, or human services
• Deep understanding of QA2, National Quality Framework and Child Safe Standards
• Strong analytical capability and systems-thinking mindset
• Experience reporting at executive or Board level
• The ability to influence without direct authority

You are someone who:

• Sees patterns others miss
• Understands risk maturity
• Values cultural integrity as much as compliance
• Is calm under pressure
• Can separate signal from noise
• Understands that assurance is about enabling improvement — not catching people out

 
What Makes This Role Different
You will operate independently. You will influence strategically. You will shape governance maturity across a large, multi-site organisation.
This is a rare blend of:

• Enterprise risk insight
• Cultural evaluation
• Safeguarding assurance
• Strategic governance
• Executive advisory work

All within a purpose-driven organisation where children are genuinely prioritised.
 
Why Join CEEC?
✔ Executive-level influence ✔ Organisation-wide impact ✔ Not-for-profit, child-centred mission ✔ Strong governance environment ✔ Senior Leadership Team exposure ✔ Vehicle included ✔ Stable, values-led organisation ✔ Opportunity to elevate safety maturity at scale
 
The Standard We Hold
We do not treat safeguarding as a checkbox.
We expect maturity. We expect integrity. We expect courage.
If you are motivated by impact, governance excellence, and protecting children through robust systems — this role will challenge and reward you.
 
Our commitment to child safety means all successful candidates must hold: - A current Driver's Licence - A valid Blue Card - A satisfactory Criminal History Check - A willingness to complete ongoing safeguarding training
 
Confidential Conversations Welcome
If you are currently operating in assurance, governance, safety or compliance leadership — and want to apply your expertise in a mission-driven environment — we would welcome a confidential discussion.
Apply directly or reach out for a conversation
 
Our Commitment to Keeping Our Staff and Children Safe
Catholic Early EdCare is dedicated to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of all children in its care and maintains a zero-tolerance approach to any form of abuse. The protection of children is our highest priority. All appointments are subject to referee checks, criminal history screening, and a current Queensland Working with Children Check (Blue Card).
Catholic Early EdCare is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity. We encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds.

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