Curriculum Lead

Guiding the future of NSW education

Position details

• Chief Education Officer Grade 2 (CEO 2)

• Full-time, ongoing

• Close to Wynyard station & hybrid work arrangements available

About us

At the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA), we are dedicated to carrying out meaningful work that drives improvements and elevates student achievement across NSW, now and into the future.

We accomplish this by supporting all school sectors with high-quality syllabuses, assessment (including managing the HSC and NAPLAN), teaching standards (e.g., accrediting teachers) and school environments (including setting and monitoring school standards).

NESA is a unique organisation in NSW (of around 740FTE staff) with significant state-wide impact, visit our website to learn more about the important work we do.

About the role

The Curriculum Lead sits within the Curriculum Division which manages the development, implementation and production of Kindergarten to Year 12 syllabuses and educational standards in NSW. The role positions NESA as a key influence on curriculum development, syllabus implementation, strengthens capability across Curriculum teams, and supports equity, consistency and high‑quality curriculum development and delivery system‑wide.

At NESA we are presently focused on an exciting, transformational program of curriculum reform, and this role is a great opportunity to support/Lead the work of passionate educators.

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

• Providing strategic leadership, direction and expert guidance to the Curriculum PEO team responsible for NSW curriculum development and associated curriculum assets.

• Leading the planning, development, review and delivery of high-quality syllabus support materials.

• Ensuring curriculum support materials are aligned with NSW syllabuses, NESA policy and priorities.

• Overseeing quality assurance processes to ensure accuracy, clarity, accessibility and consistency across all syllabuses and support materials.

• Building team capabilities through coaching, mentoring and performance development, and manage delivery of recurrent activities.

• Managing relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including national bodies such as AERO and ACARA, school sectors, subject and other directorates.

• Providing authoritative advice on curriculum matters to senior leadership.

• Contributing to strategic planning, policy development and system‑level initiatives that strengthen curriculum implementation and teacher ability to deliver NESA syllabuses with fidelity.

• Monitoring project timelines, risks and deliverables to ensure high quality outputs are delivered within required timeframes and resources, while championing inclusive and culturally responsive curriculum practices.

To be successful you will need:

• Extensive experience leading complex curriculum projects with multiple stakeholders, tight timelines, fixed resources and evolving policy contexts, while navigating competing priorities and expectations across NESA, school sectors and other stakeholders.

• Proven ability to ensure consistency and quality across diverse syllabus support materials and messaging developed by multiple syllabus teams.

• The ability to balance strategic leadership responsibilities with the need for deep curriculum expertise and hands‑on quality assurance.

• Teaching qualifications and demonstrated eligibility for accreditation with the NSW Education Standards Authority.

• Five years direct classroom teaching experience.

• A valid Working with Children Check (WWCC) for paid employment.

We invite you to download the role description for additional information on the position.

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.

Ready to join us?

Select apply and attach an up-to-date résumé (maximum 5 pages) and a cover letter (maximum 2 pages). Also address the 2 targeted questions below in your online application (maximum of 500 words per response):

Targeted Question 1: Describe a time when you were required to manage a project with complex stakeholder relationships. What made it complex? What was your approach, and what insights did you gain for future engagements?

Targeted Question 2: Describe a time when you delivered a major process improvement within a project. Describe how you developed the approach to meet the desired outcomes, evaluated progress, engaged stakeholders, and identified resource requirements. 

Advice on applying for NSW Public Sector roles

If you need reasonable adjustments for the recruitment process and workplace, please reach out to recruitment@nesa.nsw.edu.au

Close date: Sunday 10 May 2026 at 11.59pm AEST

Thank you for your interest, we look forward to receiving your application.

Important information

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.

A Talent Pool (valid for 18 months) may be created for future ongoing and temporary roles.