Senior Project Officer 

• Salary: $113,022 - $136,747 (plus superannuation)
• Fixed-Term position for 12 months
• 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

We are seeking a Senior Project Officer to drive the successful delivery of complex projects and initiatives within the TAFE Strategy, Systems and Tertiary Governance Branch and support the work of the Commonwealth's National Skills Agreement.

Working with the Marrung Team and reporting to the Manager, the Senior Project Officer ensures key project milestones are achieved on time, within scope, and on budget, while effectively managing risks and dependencies.

In this role, you will be responsible for contract management functions including oversight, reporting and evidence gathering to support the work of the Commonwealth's National Skills Agreement. This includes preparing project documentation, such as plans, reports, and briefs to guide decision-making, and working closely with internal and external stakeholders to build strong and collaborative partnerships.

Main accountabilities:

• Manages and leads projects.
• Develops briefs on highly complex issues that provide options for discussion and consideration and will contribute to the development of a set of final options for decision.
• Initiates and maintains relationships with peer and senior internal and external stakeholders.
• Negotiates with stakeholders and peers with the object of gaining co-operation and meeting timelines for delivery of project, service or advice.
• Innovative thinking and analysis influences developments within area of responsibility.
• Provides leadership in the adaptation and application of concepts to operational matters within local work area.

The Team

The position Senior Project Officer forms a part of TAFE Strategy, Systems and Tertiary Governance branch, which sits under Skills and TAFE (ST) group. Skills and TAFE (ST) 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), ST 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.

About You

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

• Project Delivery: Defines governance e.g. success measures, roles and responsibilities, progress monitoring) required to manage risks and maximise probability of success. 
• Stakeholder Engagement: Identifies and responds to stakeholder's underlying needs; Uses understanding of the stakeholder's organisational context to ensure outcomes are achieved.
• Partnering and Co-creation: Builds trust in partnerships through timely and quality delivery of outcomes; Facilitates discussion and navigates differences of opinion to reach decisions. 
• Influence and Persuasion: Gains agreement to proposals and ideas; Builds support for ideas to ensure buy-in and ownership; Uses chains of indirect influence to achieve outcomes; Involves experts or other third parties to strengthen case. 
• Critical Thinking and Problem Solving: Delivers tangible business outcomes as a result of critically evaluating problems from multiple perspectives and delivering effective solutions. 
• Interpersonal Skills: Presents as genuine and sincere when dealing with others; Projects an objective view of another's stated position; Uses understanding of individuals to get the best outcomes for the person and organisation. 

Further information

For a confidential discussion, please contact Tracey Evans, Manager, Marrung Team (tracey.evans@ecodev.vic.gov.au) or Shane Hapimiraki, Senior Project Officer (shane.hapimiraki@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. To be eligible for this position you must hold the mandatory qualification as outlined in the position description. For further information on the position, please refer to the attached position description.

For Finance Roles:

The Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry, and Regions is an accredited CPA Australia Recognised Employer Partner.

Please note: We are 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 Talent Acquisition Team on 0472 875 685, or via email at recruitment@ecodev.vic.gov.au with the position number in the subject line.

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 respond to the key selection criteria as outlined in the position description.

Applications close at 23:59pm on 9 February 2026.