Work Type: Fixed-term - Full-time
Salary: $138,631 - $185,518
Grade: VPS 6
Occupation: IT and telecommunications
Location: Melbourne - CBD and Inner Metro suburbs
Reference: VG/DE/VSBA/1893471
About the Role
This role is within the Strategy & Governance Branch in the Victorian School Building Authority.
Reporting to the Director – Strategy & Governance, the Manager - Budget and Data Strategy is responsible for supporting the infrastructure component of the Best Start Best Life Reforms by providing strategic budget and data management advice, policy and processes. This role will be responsible for working with teams across the Branches, VSBA, the Department and central agencies to support critical functions needed to deliver the infrastructure needed for Pre- Prep and Three-Year-Old Kindergarten.
Key components of this role include budget strategy, data strategy, analysis and management, program and project planning, and reporting, including dashboard reporting. Some policy development will also be required. An ability to develop and deliver key budget or data systems and process will be key. In addition, the candidate will have excellent stakeholder engagement skills, which will be required to build and maintain strong relationships. The Manager, Budget and Data Strategy, is a leadership role within the organisation, and will be part of the leadership team of the Branch. This role will also work closely with the Early Childhood Infrastructure and Planning– State Projects and Sector Partnerships Branches, as well as other areas of the VSBA and Department.
Candidates will also be able to demonstrate their ability to lead, and work confidently and constructively with stakeholders to ensure the successfully delivery of the Reform.
The executive team in Strategy and Planning Division in the VSBA are committed to growing our staff, and the successful candidate will have the support they need to deliver and expand on their current skill set.
All VSBA staff have a shared responsibility to meet the same service standards outlined in the VSBA Customer Service Charter. Our goal is to make every interaction with the VSBA a positive one for our customers, colleagues and key partners regardless of our individual role or team.
Work type
Fixed-Term Full-Time till 13-NOV-2026
Attributes
The ideal candidate will have a solid understanding of budget strategy and management, data analysis and management practices, and reporting, along with strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills
Desirable Qualifications and Experience
Desirable: Relevant tertiary qualifications
How to Apply
Applicants are required to submit a CV and cover letter (max. 2 pages for cover letter) which summarises their skills, relevant experience, and suitability for the role.
About the Department
The role of the Department of Education is to support Victorians to build prosperous, socially engaged, happy and healthy lives. It does this by supporting lifelong learning and healthy development, strengthening families, and helping to equip people with the skills and knowledge for a 21st-century economy and society.
About the Victorian School Building Authority
The Victorian School Building Authority (VSBA) is part of the Department of Education. Established in 2016, it oversees Victoria's largest school building program since the state introduced free public education in the 1870s.
The VSBA upgrades and expands existing schools and plans, designs and builds new schools to meet enrolment demand. We also support schools to maintain their buildings and grounds by offering expert advice and coordinating maintenance programs and grants.
With Victoria recently introducing two years of funded kindergarten, the VSBA is also working with the early childhood sector on a massive kindergarten construction program.
About the Division
The Strategy and Planning Division is responsible for the VSBA's operating framework, investment strategy, policy setting, asset information management, budget strategy and coordination, along with the delivery of specific school strategies, costings, allocate resources for growth, maintenance, and projects through school application- based programs. The Division also plans and co-ordinates delivery of new early childhood facilities and support for the wider early childhood sector to build, improve and upgrade infrastructure through a number of grants programs, including programs which provide funding to make kindergartens for inclusive for children of all abilities.
About the Branch
The Early Childhood Infrastructure Planning - Strategy and Governance Branch collaborates with the other two branches in the Early Childhood Infrastructure Planning area (namely the ECI Planning State Projects Branch, and the ECI Planning - Sector Partnerships and Grants Branch), as well as with other departmental areas, to lead the strategic implementation of early childhood reforms. Key accountabilities include managing, planning, and delivering the roll-out of the Three-Year-Old Kindergarten and Best Start, Best Life (BSBL) infrastructure reforms (including policy development), monitoring the Department's progress on reform milestones, leading the input into the State Budget process for the VSBA component of Early Childhood Infrastructure funding requests, contribute to the PAEC reporting and briefing process for Early Childhood Infrastructure, leading and coordinating key reporting tasks (such as for regular ministerial and governance meetings), developing key foundational policies and guidelines, and coordinating provision of advice on priority kindergarten demand areas and potential infrastructure responses. This branch also plays a crucial role in identifying and evaluating suitable government school sites in Victoria for potential new or expanded kindergarten facilities and in planning, managing and executing the acquisition of land to support the implementation of the BSBL reforms.
About the Unit
The Budget and data Strategy Unit is responsible for the strategic budget and data management advice and products to support implementation of the infrastructure component of the early childhood reforms and key responsibilities include budget strategy and program oversight, asset maintenance, data management and strategic data improvement initiatives.
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 Libby Avram - Director Early Childhood Infrastructure Strategy & Governance Branch via (03) 8688 7876 or [email protected].
Preferred applicants may be required to complete a police check a nd 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 11:59pm on 16 November 2025