About UsThe Department of Government Services (DGS) was established on 1 January 2023 to improve everyone's experience of doing business and interacting with the Victorian government. We bring important day-to-day services together in one department to make things easy and seamless for Victorians and businesses. We are doing this by connecting and digitising our systems and platforms across state and local government as well as streamlining our corporate and procurement services.
The Consumer Affairs and Local Government
The Consumer Affairs and Local Government Group (CALG) brings together Consumer Affairs Victoria and Local Government Victoria within the Department of Government Services.
The Portfolio Strategy, Projects and Performance Division is an enabling division that supports CALG through strategic planning, governance, evaluation, performance and project delivery. Within the Division, the Planning and Performance Branch provides whole-of-group capability in governance, planning, performance and project management.
The CALG Project Management Office supports consistent and proportionate project management practices across the Group, provides assurance and coordination for major initiatives, and deploys project management capability to priority projects as required.
About the role The Principal Project Manager is a senior project management role within the Planning and Performance Branch, providing expert project delivery capability across CALG.
This is a flexible role that may be deployed to different projects and priorities across the Group in response to organisational need. You will be expected to quickly understand new subject matter, build effective relationships with senior stakeholders and delivery teams, and apply fit-for-purpose project management approaches in complex, changing and sometimes ambiguous environments.
You will lead and support the delivery of complex and high-priority initiatives, establishing clear governance, plans, schedules, risk and issue management, dependencies and reporting arrangements. You will provide authoritative advice to project sponsors and executives, identify emerging delivery risks and pressures, and develop practical options to maintain momentum and support effective decision-making.
As a senior member of the CALG Project Management Office, you will also contribute to strengthening project management capability, governance and good practice across the Group.
What We’re Looking ForWe are looking for an experienced senior project manager who can operate confidently across a range of projects and organisational environments.
You will bring strong judgement, adaptability and the ability to work effectively where priorities, scope and delivery requirements may evolve. You will be comfortable moving between projects, quickly establishing what is required and bringing the right level of structure, governance and discipline to support delivery.
You will be able to:
· lead the delivery of complex and high-priority projects involving multiple business areas and stakeholders
· provide authoritative project management advice to executives, sponsors and project teams
· establish fit-for-purpose governance, planning, risk, reporting and assurance arrangements
· identify emerging risks, dependencies and delivery pressures and provide practical recommendations
· build strong relationships and influence stakeholders across organisational and functional boundaries
· facilitate complex planning, problem-solving and governance discussions
· work effectively in ambiguous and changing environments
· adapt project management approaches to the scale, risk and complexity of each initiative
· contribute to continuous improvement in project management capability and practice across CALG.
Qualifications and experienceYou will have:
· demonstrated experience leading and delivering complex projects in a large or complex organisational environment
· strong knowledge and practical application of contemporary project management methodologies and governance practices
· demonstrated experience establishing and managing project governance, planning, risk, dependencies, reporting and assurance arrangements
· experience working across multiple stakeholders, disciplines and business areas, including at senior levels
· demonstrated ability to apply flexible and proportionate project management approaches according to the needs of the project.
A relevant qualification or certification in project management, or demonstrated equivalent professional experience, is highly desirable.
This is an ongoing role. The position is only open to applicants with relevant rights to work in Australia.
For more information and the key selection criteria, please see the Position Description.
How to apply:
Apply before the advertised closing date 11:59pm on Thursday, 22 October 2026. All applications should include:
- a resume; and
- a cover letter which addresses the key selection criteria (within three pages).
Other relevant information:
To be eligible for appointment to this role, applicants will possess corresponding work rights for the advertised employment period. Appointment to an ongoing role is only available to an Australian/New Zealand citizen or an Australian Permanent Resident. Preferred candidates will be required to complete a Pre-employment Declaration and Consent Form. Employment of successful candidates will be subject to a National Police Check.
The department is committed to providing and maintaining a working environment which is safe and without risk to the health of its employees and clients and consistent with the department's obligations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (OH&S Act), to support this DGS has a COVID-19 Vaccination policy which strongly recommends all DGS employees be fully vaccinated.
DGS actively promotes diversity, inclusion and an equal opportunity workplace. All roles at DGS can be worked flexibly, however it may differ from role to role.