CAREERS

Job Location: Melbourne or Sydney

Reports to: Director Policy Innovation

Role Type: full-time, permanent

McKinnon is seeking an experienced and strategic Head of Education to lead our work on education policy and system improvement across Australia. This is a unique opportunity to shape a major program of work designed to lift educational outcomes, strengthen equity, and embed international best practice in schools and school systems. Informed by international best practice and a strong local evidence base, our work cuts through systemic barriers to build a dynamic, effective, and future-ready education system.

As a senior member of the team, you will drive the design and delivery of the McKinnon Multi-School Organisation (MSO) program objectives and establish McKinnon as a trusted and influential partner in advancing education reform. This role combines strategic design with pragmatic implementation, requiring an ability to lead a team of program managers, build strong government and sector partnerships, and deliver complex reform initiatives.

Responsibilities

In this role, you will:

• Lead Programs and Initiatives: Lead the design and delivery of education reform initiatives that respond to evidence and data, with a focus on impact.

• Engage with Leaders and Stakeholders: Build trusted relationships with education departments, school leaders, researchers, and other partners to foster collaboration and influence reform.

• Conduct Research and Analysis: Commission, synthesise and communicate research on what works in education—internationally and domestically—to guide program design and policy recommendations.

• Develop High-Level Communications: Produce reports, discussion papers, Board materials and presentations that distil complex information into actionable insights.

• Manage Operations: Oversee budgets, contracts and team operations, ensuring delivery to a high standard and alignment with McKinnon’s strategic priorities.

• Lead and Develop a Team: Provide clear direction and professional growth opportunities for direct reports, fostering a culture of collaboration, curiosity and impact.

Who We’re Looking For

The ideal candidate will possess:

• Educational Background: Tertiary qualification in education, public policy, economics, or a related field, or equivalent work experience.

• Professional Experience: Significant experience in education policy, program management or system leadership, with demonstrated ability to deliver outcomes and influence reform. Senior strategic expertise with deep knowledge of English or Australian education system.

• Analytical Skills: Strong ability to evaluate evidence and data and translate insights into practical recommendations.

• Leadership: Proven experience managing people and projects, setting direction, and motivating teams.

• Personal Attributes: Alignment with McKinnon’s values—be bold, be curious, be courageous, and make it matter. A strategic thinker, excellent communicator, and natural collaborator.

What We Offer

At McKinnon, we provide:

• Meaningful Impact: Work with purpose on initiatives that directly contribute to improving education outcomes for young Australians

• Collaborative Environment: Join a high-performing team that thrives on curiosity, collaboration and diverse perspectives.

• Professional Growth: Engage in challenging projects that offer personal and professional development opportunities. This role is for a highly motivated individual who is searching for their next opportunity to make real impact.

If you are motivated by the opportunity to make a tangible difference in education and enjoy working at the intersection of research, policy and practice, you will thrive here.

About Us

McKinnon is an independent, non-partisan, not-for-profit organisation which exists to empower better governments for a stronger Australia. Our work focuses on four core areas where we believe meaningful, measurable impact matters most: political leadership, the public sector, democracy, and policy innovation. We are driven by curiosity and a desire to bring diverse perspectives together to create meaningful debate. We have the courage to make bold decisions and are driven by the urgency that meaningful work creates. We exist to make impact that matters.

Application Process

If you are passionate about improving education and possess the skills and experience outlined above, we invite you to apply for this role by 30 September 2025.

Please submit your resume and a cover letter detailing your suitability for the position, motivation for this role and your salary expectations to [email protected]

McKinnon is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

At McKinnon, our Program Managers sit at the heart of our work. They deliver complex programs that create tangible impact across Australia’s most pressing challenges in public administration and politics. Program Managers deliver our programs, manage key relationships, and help drive the change we exist to make.

Who we’re looking for

We’re seeking experienced generalists with a policy focus — people who have led complex programs and want to broaden their skills and experience. You’ll be:

• An analytical thinker and problem-solver with sharp attention to detail and focus on program delivery.

• A persuasive communicator who engages senior stakeholders with confidence.

• A natural collaborator, inquisitive, creative, and agile.

• Grounded, with integrity, maturity, and the drive to deliver real-world outcomes.

Your background might include management consulting, public service, ministerial advising, not-for-profit, or a combination of these. You’ll bring subject matter expertise in one or more of our program areas or a toolkit that spans our delivery priorities and a readiness to step into a high-impact generalist role.

What we can offer you

• Interesting work – Exposure to diverse projects at the intersection of government, policy, and politics.

• People – Work alongside passionate, visionary, and experienced colleagues and within a broad stakeholder network.

Application process

To apply, please email [email protected] with:

• Your CV

• A short cover letter outlining:
  
  

1. Describe what your ideal role looks like

2. Your motivation for working at McKinnon

3. Any particular program area/s you’re interested in

4. Skills and/or experience that you can bring across our work programs

5. Your salary expectations

Already applied in 2025? If you’ve applied for a role with us this year, you don’t need to resubmit your application. Instead, please write to us at [email protected] answering the cover letter questions above.

Additional details

• This is an open-ended process with no closing date. Applications will be assessed as they are received.

• Given the large number of applications expected, we will only contact those we invite to interview.

• In early 2026, we will also launch a graduate and internship program EOI.