Manager, Contract and Grant Management

• Salary: $142,790 - $191,084 (plus Superannuation)
• Fixed-term position until 2 July 2027
• Usual hours of work: Full-time ((flexibility may be available)
• Usual work location: 121 Exhibition Street, Melbourne VIC 3000

The Role

The Manager, Contract and Grant Management, provides strategic leadership and oversight of the department's contract and grant management functions, driving continuous improvement in the delivery of vocational education and training services to Victorians. This role is responsible for ensuring the effective administration, performance monitoring, and assurance of Skills First contracts and key grant programs, including the Reconnect program.

The Manager leads a high-performing team to implement streamlined systems, enhance operational efficiency, and strengthen provider accountability. With a strong focus on compliance, data integrity, and stakeholder engagement, the role oversees governance and assurance practices across the contract and grant lifecycle. This includes working with legal, audit, and information systems partners to support effective risk management and process controls.

The Manager uses enabling tools such as the Salesforce-based Global Engagement Management System (GEMS), and the bespoke Skills Victoria Training System to support contracting, oversight, reporting, and analysis.

Key accountabilities include:

• Participates in strategic planning and contributes to strategic decision-making process
• Develops briefs on highly complex issues that provide options for decision within an organisation
• Provides and receives highly complex, contentious or sensitive information where high levels of negotiation, communication and interpersonal skills are required
• Provides authoritative expert advice on complex issues within own area
• Routinely advises senior levels of the organisation on policy issues and solutions within a functional area
• Uses knowledge of structures, processes and culture of government, the sector and the department to develop policies and new program or project initiatives

The Team

The position of Project Officer will work within Training Operations and Assurance Branch, which sits within Skills and TAFE Group.

Skills and TAFE (S&T) focuses on enabling Victorians to access the knowledge, skills and attributes they need to participate in today's workforce, prepare for future jobs, and achieve their educational aspirations.

Working in close partnership with the Victorian Skills Authority (VSA), S&T provides leadership and stewardship of a responsive, high-quality vocational education and training (VET) system. This includes oversight of the Victorian TAFE Network, led by the Office of TAFE Coordination and Delivery (OTCD), and the apprenticeships system, with a strong focus on aligning training with industry needs and strengthening pathways into the workforce.

S&T supports lifelong learning and inclusive education through Adult, Community and Further Education (ACFE) and the Learn Local network, helping adult learners progress into further study or work. S&T collaborates across government, industry, education providers, and communities to deliver skills-focused solutions that improve workforce outcomes and enable businesses to access a skilled workforce.

S&T works with universities and collaborates with other Australian jurisdictions to advance national training and higher education reforms, drive innovation, and ensure consistent quality across a joined up tertiary system.

About You

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

• Managing People: Champions people engagement as an organisational priority; Provides thought leadership on people management across the service. 
• Stakeholder Engagement: Identifies and manages a range of complex and often competing needs; Facilitates innovative solutions to resolve stakeholder issues. 
• Systems Thinking: Formulates potential courses of action to achieve objectives based on an in-depth understanding of the business environment and its systems; Champions system thinking across the organisation and VPS more broadly acting as a thought leader.
• Critical Thinking and Problem Solving: Considers a broad range of topics (beyond immediate area of work), works across government and at senior levels to develop and deliver sustainable solutions. 
• Business and Commercial Acumen: Drives a culture of value add and/or return of investment. Considers economic indicators to inform strategic direction and manage organisational risk. Drive efficiencies in functions to better support the business. 
• Future Focus: Communicates a clear and compelling vision for the future to the organisation that is meaningful to others. Articulates and drives implementation of strategies that align with organisational vision and purpose

Further Information

For a confidential discussion, please contact Lance Snell, Director, Contracting and Performance via email lance.snell@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.

How to Apply

Please click the ‘Apply Now' button.

Please provide a Resume and a Cover letter outlining your interest in and suitability for the role. Using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Actions, Result), please include in your Cover letter with practical examples of your skills and experience in demonstrating at least 4 of the Key Selection Criteria.

Applications close at 23:59pm on Sunday, 25 October 2026.