Principal in Residence - Expression of interest
Length of opportunity
12 months
About the role
An exciting opportunity exists for principals and assistant principals from government, Catholic and independent schools to enhance their leadership skills, influence system coherence and develop broader policy and program experience across the education system.
Expressions of interest are invited for Principal in Residence positions at the Victorian Academy of Teaching and Leadership (the Academy). There are multiple 1.0 FTE roles commencing in the Teaching and Leadership Excellence Division.
The Principal in Residence is a 12-month position with the potential for extension.
Start dates may vary according to Academy needs with some roles commencing in late Term 3 or early Term 4 2026, and others starting approximately January 2027.
The role includes fostering and facilitating effective internal and external stakeholder relationships, contributing to cross-agency and sector collaboration, and providing expert advice about the content, processes and strategies that will shape teacher, principal and school leadership programs.
Principals in Residence:
- Work as part of Academy teams to develop the capability of Victorian teachers and school leaders.
- Support strategic and priority initiatives and implement programs and activities across the Academy to enable it to meet its legislated objectives.
- Work with internal and external stakeholders (including across sectors) to develop, monitor, evaluate and strengthen the quality of Academy professional learning, resources, insights and guidance.
- Co-design and facilitate professional learning.
- Ensure coherence and impact of Academy professional learning through representation on advisory groups, design summits and steering committees.
- Provide a conduit between the Academy, areas and principal networks across the state and with cross-sectoral partners.
- Work collaboratively across the Academy and may be assigned to different divisions during their tenure.
About the Academy
At the Academy, we are passionate about meaningful and exciting work that has an impact on education and student outcomes. Our shared purpose is to create and offer evidence-informed professional learning programs, events and initiatives designed to take Victoria's highly skilled teachers and school leaders from great to exceptional and advance the quality and status of teaching and school leadership.
We care about the quality of our work, demonstrate collective responsibility for continuous improvement and support each other to do the very best we can every day to achieve our goals.
The Academy is a learning organisation that provides opportunities for employees to grow. We have a positive culture that we build together, where people feel supported, valued and heard.
About the Teaching and Leadership Excellence Division
The Teaching and Leadership Excellence Division leads and delivers a comprehensive portfolio of evidence-informed high-quality professional learning for teachers and school leaders across the government, Catholic and independent sectors. It enables excellence in teaching and leadership, including in literacy and mathematics, and student learning and wellbeing outcomes, and builds leadership capability at all career stages, from emerging leaders to system leaders.
The professional learning portfolio includes a range of leadership focused career pathway programs, leadership capability development programs, Department of Education training programs and principal mentoring services. The division is also responsible for implementation of the Victorian Aspiring Principal Assessment. The teaching excellence program suite includes the Australian-first year-long Teaching Excellence Program, and the Teaching Impact Fellowship, and professional learning in literacy, mathematics, teaching practice and current priorities and challenges in education.
Programs are grounded in high-quality professional learning principles and aligned to either the Academy Leadership Excellence Framework and/or the Academy Teaching Excellence Model, supporting educators to translate evidence into practice, lead improvement, and drive sustained impact in their context.
The division provides thought leadership, resources and insights to the profession, drawing on expertise in education policy, teaching and learning, and program and project management.
Information sessions
Online information sessions about the role will be held for those interested to learn more. Please register via the link below:
- Tuesday 28 July 4.00pm-4.45pm
- Monday 3 August 4.00pm-4.45pm
Register via this form: PiR information sessions
Please note:
Government school staff: these positions are Teaching Service positions, remunerated as per the Principal Class range (see fact sheet document for further details).
Catholic and independent school staff: these positions will be offered as a secondment consistent with a Memorandum of Understanding between the Academy and the substantive employer.
How to apply
Please download the position description and factsheet for this role below.
Submit an Expression of Interest, via email (see below) and include the following:
- A response of no more than 2 pages to the key selection criteria as they relate to the Principal in Residence role.
- Your current CV.
- A cover letter (optional).
- Submit your EoI as a single pdf (not separate files, please) by email to lilly.saade@education.vic.gov.au by COB 13 August 2026.
Contact
For questions regarding these roles please email:
- Peter Saffin, Chief Operating Officer
peter.saffin@education.vic.gov.au
Closing date
COB Thursday 13 August 2026
