Work Type: Fixed-term - Full-time
Salary: $298,489 - $430,740
Grade: VPS SES2
Occupation: Construction
Location: Melbourne - CBD and Inner Metro suburbs
Reference: VG/DE/VSBA/1937424
About the Department
The Department of Education (the Department) leads the delivery of education and development services to children and students both directly through government schools and indirectly through the regulation and funding of early childhood services and non-government schools.
Information about the structure of the Department, including details about each of our Ministers, key staff, regional offices, strategy and annual reports are available at:
http://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/department/Pages/default.aspx
About the Division
The Victorian School Building Authority (VSBA) is a division of the Department of Education responsible for delivering the Victorian Government's significant investment in school and early childhood infrastructure. It oversees the planning, procurement, construction, and maintenance of facilities across the state, supporting the Government's commitment to the Education State. Working closely with industry, schools, and stakeholders, the VSBA delivers major capital programs and innovative infrastructure solutions to meet the needs of growing communities.
About the Role
Reporting to the Executive Director (Major Projects & Property Division), the Executive Lead - Next Generation New Schools (NGNS) is responsible for providing expert strategic leadership, direction and end-to-end accountability for the planning, procurement and delivery of the Next Generation New Schools, which may include delivery by way of the Partnerships Victoria framework.
As the primary interface between the Department, governance bodies, central agencies, advisors and private sector partners, the Executive Lead will ensure robust governance, probity, technical and commercial discipline across all phases of the project lifecycle.
Please note this role is a fixed-term contract which concludes on 30th June 2028.
Attributes
The role requires an adaptable and collaborative leader able to navigate complexity and evolve strategies to deliver strong outcomes, while fostering effective stakeholder engagement. It calls for a strategic, forward-looking mindset that translates vision into delivery and drives continuous improvement.
Success relies on sound judgement, balancing commercial awareness with organisational and political context to manage risk and deliver value. Strong communication and influencing capability are essential to build trust and support decision-making. The role also requires strong people leadership, including building capability, fostering high performance, and aligning workforce planning with strategic priorities to support a resilient and future-ready organisation.
Required Capabilities
Executive leadership: Demonstrated ability to lead large, multidisciplinary teams delivering complex infrastructure projects in accordance with the Partnerships Victoria framework, setting clear direction, building capability and fostering a high-performance culture.
Setting clear direction, building capability and fostering a high-performance culture.
Organisational awareness: Strong understanding of government structures, policy frameworks and assurance requirements, including alignment with the Partnerships Victoria framework and broader departmental priorities.
Political acumen: Highly developed judgement in navigating political, commercial and stakeholder sensitivities inherent in major projects pursuant to the Partnerships Victoria Framework, ensuring decisions are well-informed and defensible.
Strategic, agile and critical thinking: Capability to translate strategic infrastructure priorities into executable d elivery strategies, adapting to evolving risks, market conditions and policy settings.
Influence and negotiation: Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders and negotiate complex commercial outcomes with private sector partners, advisors and government agencies in the context of the Partnerships Victoria framework.
Stakeholder management: Extensive experience engaging across government, central agencies and industry, building trusted relationships to support procurement, delivery and long-term project outcomes.
Pragmatic and results-oriented: Focus on achieving value-for-money outcomes in delivery pursuant to the Partnerships Victoria framework, balancing commercial, technical and policy considerations to deliver on time and within budget.
Systems thinking: Ability to integrate technical, financial, legal and operational elements of Partnerships Victoria framework projects, ensuring whole-of-life asset performance and alignment with system-wide objectives.
Project management and implementation: Deep expertise in end-to-end delivery of major projects delivered pursuant to the Partnerships Victoria framework, including planning, procurement, commercial structuring and contract management through to delivery.
Further Information
For more details regarding this position please see attached position description for the capabilities to address in application.
The department values diversity and inclusion in all forms - gender, religion, ethnicity, LGBTIQ+, disability and neurodiversity. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. For more information about our work, working for the Department, diversity and inclusion, and our employment conditions visit the Department website and our Diversity and Inclusion page
Applicants requiring adjustments can contact the nominated contact person.
Information about the Department of Education's operations and employment conditions can be located at www.education.vic.gov.au.
For further information pertaining to the role, please contact Avril Smith via email ([email protected]).
Preferred applicants may be required to complete a police check and may be subject to other pre-employment checks. Information provided to the Department of Education will be treated in the strictest confidence.
Please let us know via phone or email if you require any adjustments to ensure your full participation in the recruitment process or if you need the ad or any attachments in an accessible format (e.g large print) due to any viewing difficulties or other accessibility requirements.
Applications close on Tuesday 4 Augst 2026 at 11:59pm.