Senior Policy Adviser

The Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions is focused on growing Victoria’s prosperity, building the productive capacity of our economy and increasing participation – by creating more opportunities for people through skills and jobs; helping businesses and industries to thrive; and building vibrant communities and regions. For more information, see the DJSIR Strategic Plan 2023-2027.

Established on 1 January 2023, our work spans numerous portfolios, supporting departmental ministers and operating across metropolitan, regional and international offices. We oversee various public entities, including public corporations, regulatory authorities and specialist boards.

The Department strongly encourages applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and offers reasonable adjustments for applicants with disabilities.

Our values are accountability, integrity and respect, and underpin everything we do.
Job Details
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Department: Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions
Work Type: Ongoing - full time
Job Function: Policy
Classification: VPSG5
Work Location: Melbourne - CBD
Reference: VG/026020AB
Closing Date: 08-Jul-2025
Salary Range: $113,022 - $136,747
Job Duration: Ongoing - full time
Attachments: Position Description - Senior Policy Adviser (Ongoing) - 026020 - June 2025.docx (Word, 189KB)


Contact: Matthew Collins - Senior Principal Adviser
matthew.m.collins@ecodev.vic.gov.au

Position Details

Senior Policy Adviser

  • Salary: $113,022 - $136,747 (Plus Superannuation)
  • Ongoing position
  • Usual hours of work: Full time (flexibility may be available)
  • Usual work location: 121 Exhibition Street, Melbourne VIC 3000 ((flexibility may be available)

The Role

As a Senior Policy Adviser, you will have the opportunity to work on projects that seek to address some of the critical challenges facing the State. This is a terrific opportunity for a highly-motivated individual to contribute to policy development and problem solving across a range of portfolios including jobs, industry, skills and training, regional development, the creative industries, sport and the experience economy.

Key accountabilities include:

  • Participate in specialist project teams established to address priority issues across the department's portfolio areas, with responsibility for delivering whole workstreams, or components of a project.
  • Analyse data, collate evidence and engage with stakeholders to formulate findings and recommendations on a wide range of public policy issues.
  • Produce concise and compelling reports, briefs and submissions to facilitate effective decision-making.
  • Establish and manage stakeholder relationships to ensure the effective delivery of projects.
  • Employ best practice project management disciplines to ensure projects are delivered on time and to the agreed scope and objectives, including guiding and overseeing the work of other project team members.

 The Team

The position of Senior Policy Adviser will work across Priority Projects branch, which sits within the Economic Policy, Projects and Coordination group.

The Economic Policy, Projects and Coordination Group (EPPC) brings together advanced capabilities in economics and public policy, data and modelling, program design and evaluation, project management, delivery and assurance. EPPC works in partnership across the department, bringing a deep understanding of the Victorian economy, expertise in policy, program design and continuous improvement to provide a sound platform for new initiatives.

The Group provides leadership in economic policy, including input to the Victorian Government's economic strategy. We also play a significant coordination role, providing central line‑of‑sight to enable crosscutting initiatives to be developed and delivered successfully.  

About You

 To be successful in this role you will have the following skills and experience:

  • Problem solving: proven analytical and conceptual skills, including an ability to structure problems, analyse data and communicate solutions to decision-makers. This requires the ability to bring structured thinking to ambiguous problems, engage in robust development and debate of ideas, and ability to pivot quickly in changing circumstances.
  • Policy nous: excellent understanding of public policy and government processes, including familiarity with contemporary policy challenges across the department's portfolio areas and proven experience contributing to policy formulation and implementation in the public sector.
  • Project management: demonstrated project management capabilities with experience on public sector projects, including experience planning and contributing to the implementation of large-scale projects in complex environments.
  • Communication and engagement: very strong written, visual and verbal communications skills – including understanding style and tone suited to different audiences and ability to develop client-ready outputs such as concise and engaging PowerPoint decks, reports, submissions and briefings with minimal oversight. Demonstrated stakeholder and relationship management skills to build trust, collaboration and consensus across a wide range of internal and external stakeholders.
  • Development focus: ability to thrive and work collaboratively with other team members in a fast-paced environment with high expectations and tight deadlines, within a culture of feedback, continuous development and supportiveness.

Further Information

For a confidential discussion, please contact Matthew Collins, Senior Principal Adviser, Priority Projects via email matthew.m.collins@ecodev.vic.gov.au.

The department is committed to creating and maintaining a child safe organisation. We have zero tolerance of child abuse and are committed to taking the necessary steps to protect children from harm by adopting a preventative, proactive and participatory approach to child safety in accordance with the Child Safe Standards.

Successful candidates will be required to undergo a National Police Records Check prior to commencing employment with the Department. For further information on the position, please refer to the attached position description.

Please note: We are accredited as a Disability Confident Recruitment (DCR) organisation and committed to inclusive recruitment. If you require an adjustment to participate in any stage of the recruitment process or have a particular requirement to be communicated with by either telephone or email only, please notify the DJSIR Recruitment Team on 0472875685, or via email at recruitment@ecodev.vic.gov.au with the position number in the subject line. For additional contact details for our team please review the attached Position Description, located under Job Attachments in the right hand menu.

How to Apply

Please click the ‘Apply Now' button. As part of the application process, you will need to provide a copy of your resume and cover letter.

Applications close at 23:59pm on Tuesday, 8 July 2025.


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