Work Type: Fixed-term - Full-time
Salary: $142,790 - $191,084
Grade: VPS 6
Occupation: Education and training
Location: Melbourne - Northern suburbs
Reference: VG/DE/SRS/1950273
About the Program
What if you could help build a new way of supporting children and families from the ground up?
Thriving Kids is a significant new system of disability supports being implemented in stages from October 2026 for children aged 8 years and under with developmental delay or autism and low to moderate support needs. The reform will establish a coordinated and accessible model of support, with a strong focus on prevention, early intervention and responding to needs as they emerge.
Thriving Kids will bring together education, health and community services to provide families with accessible and developmentally appropriate support, including information and advice, developmental assessment, support to build parents' and carers' skills and confidence, and targeted, time-limited allied health supports.
This is an opportunity to join a significant reform at an important stage of its development and help translate its vision into practice.
About the Role
There are two 12 month fixed term positions that could be based out of three locations: Melton, Coburg or Footscray. Please indicate your preference on the application form.
As Program Manager, you will provide strategic leadership and operational oversight for the implementation and delivery of Thriving Kids allied health supports.
You will be responsible for establishing the workforce and creating the conditions for a high-quality, integrated service. Working across education, health and community settings, you will:
You will have a genuine opportunity to influence how this new service operates, bringing together people, systems and disciplines around a shared purpose.
About You
You are an experienced senior leader who can operate confidently in a complex and changing environment. You are comfortable working with ambiguity, building relationships across organisational boundaries and turning strategic direction into practical outcomes.
You will bring:
You will be someone who brings people with you, builds trust and remains focused on achieving meaningful outcomes through change.
About the Team
The Thriving Kids workforce will bring together a range of professional disciplines, including allied health, intake, community development and administration. The team will work collaboratively across education, health and community settings, supporting a more connected approach to service delivery.
As Program Manager, you will establish the foundations for an effective workforce — setting expectations, developing capability and creating a culture where people can work together, learn from one another and deliver their best work.
Why join Thriving Kids?
This is a rare opportunity to take a leadership role at the beginning of a significant reform.
You will have the scope to:
If you are an accomplished leader who enjoys bringing people together, navigating complexity and turning new ideas into practical outcomes, this could be your opportunity to make a lasting contribution.
About the Department
The Department of Education 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.
Important Information
For more details about this role, please refer to the attached position description.
If you have further questions, please contact Brooke Streatfeild at [email protected].
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 our website.
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.
If you require any adjustments to ensure your full participation in the recruitment process or if you need the advertisement or any attachments in an accessible format (e.g. large print) due to any viewing difficulties or other accessibility requirements, please get in touch with the contact person listed on this advertisement.
Applications close 11:59 pm Australian Eastern Standard/Daylight Saving Time on 4th November 2026.