About us 

The Department of Government Services (DGS) was established on 1 January 2023 to improve everyone's experience of doing business and interacting with the Victorian government. We bring important day-to-day services together in one department to make things easy and seamless for Victorians and businesses. We are doing this by connecting and digitising our systems and platforms across state and local government as well as streamlining our corporate and procurement services.  

About the role 

As a Manager, Priority Projects you will lead significant reform projects and strategic policy.

These high-profile reform projects span several key areas, including housing, cost of living and local government initiatives. The role will require problem definition, governance design, policy option analysis, drafting Cabinet submissions, operating model design including associated costings, business cases, communication and engagement strategies and project management.

Projects will involve working across government departments and agencies to achieve government outcomes.  You will often work in partnership with our Regulation and Policy Division, who lead on the Legislation and Regulation program, and with Service Victoria, to develop technical and product solutions that support Victorians.

You will be experienced in delivering strategic projects in a dynamic environment, with a track record of building strategic relationships with internal and external stakeholders. You will be proficient in strategic policy, stakeholder engagement and project management, as well as being an established manager with a values-based approach to leadership and an interest in agile ways of working.

There are 2 fixed term positions available. One position is available for 24 months and the second position is available for 36 months.

Key accountabilities include:

• Lead and coordinate advice and thought leadership on the delivery of priority projects to the Lead Director, Priority Projects, and Deputy Secretary, Consumer Affairs and Local Government.
• Conduct research and analysis to provides advice to department executives and ministers on social, legal, regulatory and governance policy-related policies, projects and trends.
• Provides well-reasoned and clear written advice to inform strategic decision making by government and the department.

About you 

To be considered for the role, you must be able to demonstrate: 

• Leadership: Builds team commitment by demonstrating personal conviction. Translates organisational strategy into meaningful long-term plans and objectives for own area of responsibility. Motivates others to deliver against goals.
• People management: Aligns team with the organisational values and goals through effective people management and modelling, maximises effectiveness by selecting, developing, managing and motivating a high performing team. Clearly defines role expectations, monitors performance, provides timely and constructive feedback and facilitates employee development. Ensures staff are effectively deployed through effective workforce planning practices.
• Project management: Strong project management skills and the ability to perform effectively under pressure in a dynamic environment. Experience in scoping, planning, mapping, and tracking projects with parallel streams and many different stakeholder groups to influence.
• Policy: Formulates and communicates public policy options and recommendations. Analyses and critically evaluates information and the potential implications and risks of proposed policy options and develops innovative policy solutions to complex issues that meet government and departmental objectives.
• Communication skills: Well-developed written and verbal communication skills, ability to confidently convey complex concepts and information that understand and meet the needs of a targeted audience at various levels of government. Expertise in the preparation of Cabinet submissions, briefings and options analysis on a variety of issues.
• Conceptual and analytical thinking: Diagnoses of root cause issues, trends, and opportunities in the internal and external environment.
• Stakeholder management: Demonstrated ability to coordinate teams, provide advice to managers and feedback on complex issues. Can form and maintain relationships across government and industry.

For specific responsibilities please review the attached position description. 

This position is only open to applicants with relevant rights to work in Australia. 

How to apply 

Apply before the advertised closing date 11:59pm on Sunday, 20 July 2025. All applications should include: 

• a resume; and 
• a cover letter which addresses the key selection criteria (within three pages) 

Other relevant information 

The department is committed to providing and maintaining a working environment which is safe and without risk to the health of its employees and clients and consistent with the department's obligations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (OH&S Act), to support this DGS has a COVID-19 Vaccination policy which strongly recommends all DGS employees be fully vaccinated.  

Preferred candidates will be required to complete a Pre-employment Declaration and Consent Form. Employment of successful candidates will be subject to a National Police Check. 

DGS actively promotes diversity, inclusion and an equal opportunity workplace. We welcome applicants from all diverse backgrounds, including people with disabilities and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. All roles at DGS can be worked flexibly, however it may differ from role to role.