The Canberra Institute of Technology began seeking a deputy chief executive weeks before misconduct findings against the current chief executive were publicly revealed.
The ACT's vocational education and training provider published an advertisement for a deputy chief executive in late February 2026, weeks before a court judgement revealed the organisation's chief executive Margot McNeill had breached her former employer's code of conduct.
On Tuesday, May 26, in the Legislative Assembly, independent member Thomas Emerson asked the ACT Skills Minister why CIT had sought to recruit a highly paid deputy chief executive despite a swathe of financial challenges.
"CIT has been experiencing a range of cost pressures in recent years, whilst also experiencing a decline in enrolments. CIT as an institution, is not able to nimbly respond to some of those pressures due to its enterprise agreement, and the structure of CIT as a government entity, so whilst I appreciate that CIT has been experiencing some challenges, I don't think all of these events are as connected as Mr Emerson would like," Skills Minister Michael Pettersson said.
"I was, however, aware of the creation of a new position, and that recruitment process, as I'm aware, has been going well."
An advertisement in the ACT government employment gazette on February 25 states CIT was seeking a "Deputy Chief Executive Officer who shares our vision: to make CIT the most agile, innovative, and student-centred Technical and Further Education (TAFE) in Australia".
"Imagine leading an organisation where every decision you make helps a student take their next step in life," the advertisement read.
The advertised salary was between $402,267 and $414,704. Current chief executive Dr McNeill is on a yearly remuneration package of $441,581.
The deputy job closed to applicants on March 18, days after it was revealed the current chief executive had taken her former employer TAFE NSW to court for unfair dismissal because the organisation had updated her resignation to termination of employment.
A CIT spokesperson said the institution was "reviewing and refining its organisational structure" to better align with strategic priorities.
"This included a review of the executive structure, with two executive director roles replaced by a deputy CEO position advertised in February," the spokesperson said.
"The role underwent the ACT government's independent job sizing process, which determines the appropriate classification and remuneration.
"Appointments of this nature are subject to confidential recruitment processes, and details relating to applicants, interviews, and outcomes cannot be publicly disclosed, as the process is still underway and no public announcement has been made."
CIT launched a 10-year strategy in 2025, aiming to transform its role within the ACT skills and training system.
"The organisation is currently in the 'enabling phase', focused on embedding the strategy, strengthening foundations, and positioning the workforce to deliver on its objectives," the spokesperson said.
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