Work Type: Ongoing - Full-time
Salary: $142,790 - $191,084
Grade: VPS 6
Occupation: Governance and risk management
Location: Melbourne - CBD and Inner Metro suburbs
Reference: VG/DE/PES/1951707
2 x Full-Time Ongoing Positions Available
About the Department
The department provides a wide range of learning and development support and services.
The department provides policy leadership, plans for the future of education in Victoria and leads key cross-sector collaboration. The department plays an important system steward role by providing support, guidance, oversight and assurance across early childhood and school education systems, as well as directly providing school education and 50 new early learning centres.
About the Division
The Conduct and Integrity Division provides expert advice and support to Victorian government school principals and other people managers in the Department of Education on managing employee conduct and performance including child safety concerns and fraud and corruption.
About the Role
The Manager will lead an established team while working closely with the Director to strengthen the department's in-house investigations function, improve investigative practice and strategically manage the use of external investigators.
The role will suit an experienced investigations leader who can combine technical expertise with a strong focus on people, systems, continuous improvement and stakeholder relationships. The successful candidate will be someone who can provide authoritative advice on complex matters while also looking beyond individual cases to strengthen the overall quality, consistency and effectiveness of the department's investigations function.
Attributes
The Manager will bring deep expertise in workplace investigations and experience leading high-performing investigations teams. They will combine strong technical judgement with strategic leadership to strengthen the department's investigations capability, improve the way matters are managed and build a consistent, high-quality approach to investigations across the department.
Decision Making
The Manager will apply sound judgement to complex and sensitive matters, balancing risk, evidence, procedural fairness and organisational priorities. They will identify emerging issues and trends across the investigations function and use their expertise and insight to inform strategic decision-making, improve practice and strengthen the department's approach to managing misconduct and unsatisfactory performance.
The Manager will be comfortable making decisions in complex and often ambiguous environments, and will provide clear, evidence-based advice and recommendations to senior decision-makers.
Communication
The Manager will communicate with confidence and influence across a range of complex and sensitive issues. They will build shared understanding and influence outcomes with senior leaders, investigators, advisers, employees, unions and external stakeholders, including regulators.
They will be able to navigate competing views and priorities, negotiate constructively and provide clear, authoritative advice on complex investigations matters. They will prepare high-quality briefs, reports and recommendations that translate complex information and evidence into clear options for decision.
Interpersonal Skills
The Manager will build trusted relationships across the department and with external stakeholders, using thei r credibility, judgement and collaborative approach to strengthen the department's investigations capability.
They will act as an effective bridge between the investigations function, senior decision-makers and other areas of the department, fostering collaboration and ensuring that different perspectives are understood and incorporated into the management of complex matters.
The Manager will build strong relationships with external regulators and investigator providers, and will represent the department professionally and confidently in sensitive and high-stakes environments.
Managing People
The Manager will lead a team of Investigations Advisers and Investigators, creating a culture of accountability, professionalism, collaboration and continuous improvement.
They will provide strong technical leadership and support to staff managing complex matters, build capability and confidence across the team, and ensure people understand and are accountable for their roles and responsibilities.
The Manager will actively monitor team performance, anticipate and address emerging issues, recognise achievement and create opportunities for professional development. They will foster an environment where people feel supported to do their best work while maintaining high standards of performance and accountability.
They will lead through change and build engagement around the continued development of the department's in-house investigations capability.
Public Sector Values
In performing the role, the Manager will model and uphold the Victorian Public Sector Values of responsiveness, integrity, impartiality, accountability, respect, leadership and human rights. They will demonstrate these values through their approach to investigations, decision-making, people leadership and relationships with employees, stakeholders and the community.
Desirable Qualifications and Experience
Mandatory: Experience in leading investigations teams
Mandatory: Current (or willingness to obtain) Employee Working with Children Check.
Desirable: Relevant Bachelor's degree or qualification in employment or government investigations.
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 Lucy Cranshaw, Acting Director, Fraud, Conduct and Performance via (03) 7022 0165 or Lucy[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 11:59pm on Thursday 22 October 2026.