Work Type: Ongoing - Full-time
Salary: $138,631 - $185,518
Grade: VPS 6
Occupation: Early childhood
Location: Melbourne - CBD and Inner Metro suburbs
Reference: VG/DE/VECRA/1917140
About the Victorian Early Childhood Regulatory Authority (VECRA)
The Victorian Early Childhood Regulatory Authority (VECRA) is the statutory authority responsible for regulating early childhood education and care services in Victoria. VECRA works to ensure the safety, wellbeing and development of children through effective regulation, compliance, quality assessment and continuous improvement across the early childhood sector.
VECRA plays a critical system management role, providing guidance, oversight and assurance to the sector while supporting high-quality early childhood education outcomes for Victorian children and families.
About the Branch
The Regulatory Strategy and Reform Branch oversees and coordinates VECRA's response to the range of child safety reforms underway at a state and federal level. The Branch is responsible for coordinating key early childhood sector reforms, developing budget and investment strategy, strengthening regulatory capability and insights, and delivering priority projects that enhance VECRA's role in safeguarding children.
About the Role
The Strategy Manager position will sit in the Regulatory Strategy and Reform Branch and provide leadership, direction, and oversight to a responsive team that builds VECRA's capacity to deliver a broad program of reform. Working collaboratively across VECRA, the Department and with external stakeholders, the Strategy Manager will ensure reforms are planned, sequenced, monitored and embedded to support VECRA's long-term strategic objectives.
Working as part of a small, responsive team, the Strategy Manager will support VECRA's capacity to deliver a broad program of reform. The role will involve planning, coordination, monitoring, and reporting on reform activities, working collaboratively across the Department and with external stakeholders to support VECRA's long-term strategic objectives.
The Strategy Manager will:
- Lead a small team to coordinate VECRA's implementation of the Rapid Review into Child Safety recommendations and oversee the regulator's contributions to child safety reforms.
- Drive and manage strategic reform projects, on budget and resourcing.
- Provide authoritative advice, analysis, and strategic support to the VECRA Executive and senior leadership on reform design, implementation, and progress reporting.
- Build and sustain effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders to facilitate collaboration, knowledge sharing, and reform alignment across the sector.
- Demonstrate strong people leadership by developing capability, fostering inclusion, and creating a high-performing and engaged team culture.
Attributes
The Strategy Manager demonstrates strong strategic thinking, sound judgement, and the ability to navigate complex issues in a dynamic regulatory environment. They excel at leading through influence, building productive relationships, and communicating with clarity and authority. They show resilience, accountability, and a commitment to continuous improvement, while fostering an inclusive, high-performing team culture. Their ability to manage competing priorities, deliver outcomes, and drive reform aligns with the leadership and behavioural expectations of a VPS6.
Desirable Qualifications and Experience
Essential: Tertiary qualification in a relevant discipline
Desirable: Post Graduate Degree in a relevant discipline
Further Information
For mor e details regarding this position please see attached position description for the capabilities to address in application.
VECRA 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 visit the VECRA website and our Diversity and Inclusion page.
Applicants requiring adjustments can contact the nominated contact person.
Information about VECRA's operations and employment conditions can be located on the VECRA website.
For further information pertaining to the role, please contact Zoe Drysdale – Director, Regulatory Strategy and Reform Branch via 0407096980 or [email protected] or Louise Collett - Director, Regulatory Strategy and Reform Branch via 0413 325 567 or [email protected].
Preferred applicants may be required to complete a police check and may be subject to other pre-employment checks. Information provided to VECRA 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 16 April 2026.