Success story: How St Andrew’s College found the right talent

Recruitment in the Australian education sector is never one-size-fits-all. At St Andrew’s College within the University of Sydney, every hire matters, not just because of the skills they bring, but because of the culture they help build.

That’s why, since 2021, St Andrew’s has chosen to partner with Team Tidal. Together, we’ve focused on finding the right people who will thrive in the College environment and contribute to its future.

The client

Home to more than 350 students, St Andrew’s College is one of Australia’s most prestigious residential colleges. With a proud academic heritage and vibrant community, the College needed more than just qualified candidates, they needed people who could integrate seamlessly into their evolving team and culture.

The challenge

St Andrew’s have hired talent across finance, HR, administration, and operations, all roles with their own unique technical demands requiring specialist recruitment expertise. The toughest part? The best person for the culture wasn’t always from the education sector. The College needed adaptable professionals who could bring fresh external expertise and fit seamlessly into the team.

As Bonnie Dixon, the College's Director of Business, puts it:

“Every role has its own challenges. What Tidal has done really well is identify transferable skills – people whose experience links to the role, but who also fit perfectly with the culture and the team we’re building.”

Tidal’s approach

For Tidal, it’s never just about ticking boxes on a job description. We spent time with the team at St Andrew’s, walking the halls, meeting its people, listening carefully to their challenges. That gave us a sense of the values, the energy, and the kind of people who would make an impact there.

And then we looked wider than the obvious candidate pool. We asked: who has the right skills and the right potential, even if they’ve come from outside the education sector?

The right candidate

One of those people was Suzanne Bolger, a qualified Chartered Accountant. After two decades in banking and finance, she was ready for something new.

“After 20 years in major banking, I was looking for a fresh challenge and a way to break into the education sector. When I came across this role through Tidal, it felt like the perfect opportunity.” 

We placed Suzanne in an initial contract at St Andrew’s. What started as a finance role grew into something much bigger. Today, she’s the College’s Business Manager, with responsibilities across finance, HR, and operations.

“This role has exceeded my expectations. I thought I’d just be working in finance, but I’ve had the chance to get involved in HR and operations too. The variety and support from the team have helped me grow in ways I never imagined.” 

The results

• Three people Tidal first placed on contracts are now permanent fixtures at St Andrew’s

• Each has made a long-term impact, strengthening the College’s ability to grow and deliver for students

• Suzanne has found not just a job, but a career move that’s opened new doors

  
  

Bonnie Dixon has continued to return to Team Tidal as St Andrew's recruitment partner.

“Hiring the right people is key to being an employer of choice. Tidal has been a huge part of helping us achieve that.”

For St Andrew’s, our continuing success comes down to:

• A genuine partnership – working side-by-side with the College's hiring managers

• Looking beyond the CV – finding transferable skills and untapped potential

• Keeping it human – supporting both client and candidate at every stage

  
  

Ready to build your team?

At Tidal, we believe the right hire can change everything. If you’re an organisation in the education sector and want to find people who will thrive long-term, we’re the partner for you.

At Tidal Recruitment Partners, we specialise in education sector recruitment in Australia — from schools and colleges to universities and training providers. Whether you’re looking for professional staff in finance, HR, operations or beyond, we’ll help you find the right people who align with your culture and vision.

Talk to us today about how Tidal can partner with you to build teams that shape the future.