About the Department

The department provides a wide range of learning and development support and services.

The department provides policy leadership, plans for the future of education in Victoria and leads key cross-sector collaboration. The department plays an important system steward role by providing support, guidance, oversight and assurance across early childhood and school education systems, as well as directly providing school education and 50 new early learning centres.

About the Division

Wellbeing, Health and Engagement Division (WHED)

WHED leads the department's efforts to support student wellbeing, health, engagement and inclusion. This includes supporting:

• Schools to create and uphold safe, inclusive and equitable school environments and prevent and respond to family violence and child abuse
• Student health, including promoting physical activity and healthy eating, enabling access to health services and supporting students with health conditions
• Student mental health and wellbeing, including positive mental health promotion and building mental health capability, through delivery of school mental health reforms
• Student engagement with school, including promoting attendance and providing targeted support for vulnerable and disengaged students.

Student Mental Health Branch (SMHB)

The Student Mental Health Branch leads the department's efforts to support student mental health and wellbeing, including positive mental health promotion and build mental health capability. The branch provides mental health policy advice, delivers programs, supports schools and works in collaboration with partners across the education system and community sector who contribute to and influence positive outcomes for students. 

Key responsibilities include: 

• Leading the department's response to the Royal Commission into Victoria's Mental Health system in delivering on Recommendation 17 and coordinating the department's work in implementing whole of government mental health reform.
• Managing the Schools Mental Health Fund and Menu to support government schools to select programs, staff and other support from an online evidence-based menu that best meets their students' mental health and wellbeing needs.
• Expanding the Mental Health in Primary Schools initiative in every government and low-fee non-government primary school by 2026 to employ a Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader to implement a whole-school approach to mental health and wellbeing for students, staff and families.

Student Mental Health Projects Unit

The Student Mental Health Projects Unit (SMHP) is responsible for project and stakeholder management, communications and promotion, reporting and correspondence, governance arrangements and secretariat functions, as well as strategic advice to support student mental health reform projects deliver departmental student mental health and wellbeing priorities in line with recommendations from the Royal Commission into Victoria's Mental Health system.

About the Role

The Project Manager is responsible for leading a dynamic team environment to support the development and implementation of various student mental health focused projects. This role will lead a team of project officers and gain exposure to valuable mental health reform and wellbeing projects in a branch with a strong welcoming culture.

The Manager will lead the Student Mental Health Projectsteam to:

• Oversee the coordination and delivery of contracts within the Student Mental Health Branch;
• Oversee the development and delivery of student mental health projects and high-profile events
• Manage strong relationships with key stakeholders across the department and externally within the youth mental health space
• Lead the communications and promotion of outcomes and evidence of impact for student mental health reforms
• Manage strategic direction and secretariat functions of key governance groups
• Produce high-quality written work, including presentations, reports and briefings
• Work closely with other teams in the branch to support the implementation of the Schools Mental Health Fund and Menu and the Mental Health in Primary Schools program.

The role may be required to contribute to other priority projects across the wider division as required.
 
Attributes

Experience and skills in people management, strategic planning, policy and project management, stakeholder management, and problem solving are a crucial part of this role.

Desirable Qualifications and Experience

Understanding of VPS operations and processes is preferred.

Further Information

For more details regarding this position please see attached position description for the capabilities to address in application.

How to apply: please submit a CV and cover letter (max 3 pages) addressing the key selection criteria as outlined in the attached position description.

The department 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, working for the Department, diversity and inclusion, and our employment conditions visit the Department website and our Diversity and Inclusion page

Applicants requiring adjustments can contact the nominated contact person.

Information about the Department of Education's operations and employment conditions can be located at www.education.vic.gov.au.

For further information pertaining to the role, please contact Carly Horadam via 03 7022 2868 or Carly.Horadam@education.vic.gov.au

Preferred applicants may be required to complete a police check and may be subject to other pre-employment checks. Information provided to the Department of Education 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 Monday 19 January 2026