Work Type: Fixed-term - Full-time
Salary: $138,631 - $185,518
Grade: VPS 6
Occupation: Projects
Location: Melbourne - CBD and Inner Metro suburbs
Reference: VG/DE/VSBA/1903737
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 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 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 Best Start Best Life (BSBL) reforms.
About the Role
This is a Fixed Term role until 10 December 2027.
The Manager, Pre-Prep Site Identification, leads a team to support the implementation of the Government's Best Start Best Life Pre-Prep infrastructure program. This role is also critical in supporting the continued successful roll out of Three-Year Old Kindergarten.
The role sits within the Early Childhood Infrastructure and Planning – Strategy and Governance Branch and will support critical functions needed to develop and embed systems and process to deliver the infrastructure needed for Pre-Prep and Three-Year-Old Kindergarten.
This role will be responsible for working with teams across the Branch, VSBA and Department to develop the implementation strategy of the Pre-Prep Reform, as well as ensuring alignment and cohesion with the Three-Year-Old Kindergarten reform. This is a leadership role within the organisation, and will be part of the leadership team of the Branch. The Manager will have a high degree of autonomy, and will be self motivated and driven to produce results through collaboration.
Key components of this role include program and project planning, policy development and imp
lementation and reporting. An ability to develop and deliver key 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 both within the Department and with external stakeholders (council and not-for-profit kindergarten providers) and partners. Candidates will have proven policy development and implementation experience, preferably relating to supporting delivery of complex projects and programs. Candidates will also be able to demonstrate their ability to lead teams, and work confidently and constructively with key internal/external stakeholders to ensure the successfully delivery of the Reform.
The successful candidate will have proven abilities to:
The Manager will ensure the effective operation and on-going development of team by:
Candidates will have proven team leadership experience, preferably relating to the management and administration of complex government grant programs in a government setting. Candidates will also be able to demonstrate their ability to work confidently and constructively with key internal/external stakeholders in an expert advisory capacity to ensure the effective operation, management and delivery of the grants program.
Attributes
The ideal candidate will have a solid understanding of data analysis and management practices along with strong communication skills.
Desirable Qualifications and Experience
How to apply
Applicants are encouraged to include a Curriculum Vitae and a Cover letter addressing the key selection criteria provided in the position description.
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, [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 Monday, 26 January 2026