About the Role

As a Senior Authorised Officer - Team Leader, you will work under the direction of the Operations Managers to provide leadership, people management and ECEC regulatory knowledge to support delivery of the team's regulatory functions and develop team capability. 

The role involves the delivery of core Senior Authorised Officer frontline work including conducting assessment and rating and compliance visits across the region and planning and leading investigations as part of the core functions of a Senior Authorised Officer. As a team leader, under the direction of the Operations Managers the role will also involve supporting the region with team leadership and skill development, providing expert regulatory advice and guidance to internal and external stakeholders, and supporting the team's delivery of timely, high-quality work.  

Key accountabilities of the VPS5.2 roles will include:  

• advising team members on operational policy, processes and ECEC regulatory practice 

• reviewing and quality assuring the written work of team members prior to review by the Operations Manager 

• supporting the Operations Manager to build team capability and culture, including by mentoring and coaching Compliance Officers and Authorised Officers within the team

• undertaking the assessment and rating process for approved education and care services against the NQS  

• managing and reporting on approved education and care services' compliance with the NQF 

• leading and conducting investigations following notifications of incidents or complaints  

• preparing and analysing evidence to determine the action to be taken in response to the seriousness of the non-compliance and developing reports and recommendations 

• preparing high-quality detailed letters, briefings and reports relating to policy and operational issues using approved templates and style-guides

• communicating technical legislative and regulatory requirements to internal and external stakeholders (including licensed and approved education and care services), including through delivering information sessions and training programs

• other duties as requested by the Operations Manager.
  
  

This advertisement is for two (2) full-time, ongoing VPS5.2 positions reporting to the Operations Manager.

The Senior Authorised Officer - Team Leader is part of the regional leadership team and will be required to travel across the region and to metropolitan areas. This will occasionally include planned overnight stays.

We work flexibly at VECRA, and typical work arrangements involve a balance of working offsite independently while visiting ECEC services, with time in an office environment working as part of a bigger inclusive team.

There may also be some flexible start and finish times to accommodate service visits.

This role has a requirement to work from a VECRA office 3-days per week, usually the Coburg or Bendigo offices.

In applying for these roles, you are signalling your understanding of and adherence to these travel and office-based work requirements.

Attributes

To be successful in this role, you will: 

• have demonstrated knowledge of ECEC regulation and practice as well as the NQF, National Law, Children's Services Act, and their respective regulations 

• be able to implement quality assurance frameworks, systems and processes to give effect to legislative and regulatory frameworks 

• have demonstrated leadership skills, including the ability support and implement senior leadership directions to lead people and portfolios of work 

• under direction from senior leadership, develop team capability and culture, including providing coaching and mentoring to staff

• be confident in making decisions and managing risk within the boundaries of the role

• have strong critical thinking and problem solving skills, including the ability to use initiative and innovative thinking to solve complex problems 

• be able to confidently manage difficult and complex stakeholder issues and build effective   relationships to progress work

• be confident and effective in communicating detailed information clearly, accurately and professionally, both verbally and in writing 

• have strong IT skills, be able to navigate a range of computer systems and follow business rules and guidelines. 
  
  

Desirable Qualifications and Experience

Desirable: Relevant qualifications in early childhood education and regulation.

Essential: Successful applicants will be required to hold a valid Victorian Working with Children's Check and Victorian driver's licence. 

About the Victorian Early Childhood Regulatory Authority (VECRA)

The Victorian Early Childhood Regulatory Authority (VECRA) is the statutory authority responsible for regulating early childhood education and care (ECEC) services in Victoria. VECRA works to ensure the safety, wellbeing and development of children through effective regulation, compliance, quality assessment and continuous improvement across the early childhood sector. 

VECRA plays a critical system management role, providing guidance, oversight and assurance to the sector while supporting high-quality early childhood education outcomes for Victorian children and families. 

How to apply:
Applicants are encouraged to include a Curriculum Vitae and a Cover letter addressing the key selection criteria provided in the position description.

About the Branch

Located across the four VECRA regions and the central office, the Operations Branch regional teams deliver VECRA's core frontline regulatory work. The regional teams comprise authorised officers, compliance officers and support staff who assess and rate National Quality Framework (NQF) services against the National Quality Standard (NQS), conduct inspections to monitor compliance with the National Law, Children's Services Act and Child Safe Standards, as well as investigating alleged non-compliances. Regional teams engage with the sector to support, educate and guide providers of early childhood services.

Centrally, the Branch supports the regulatory workforce through capability and capacity building activities and the provision of policy advice, resources and training to address emerging regulatory practice issues and promote consistent practice. The Branch also supports the leadership of the Regulatory Authority.

Further Information

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

VECRA 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 VECRA, diversity and inclusion, and our employment conditions visit the VECRA website and our Diversity and Inclusion page.

Applicants requiring adjustments can contact the nominated contact person.

Information about VECRA's operations and employment conditions can be located on the VECRA website.

For further information pertaining to the role, please contact Karen Cullen, Regional Manager, North West Victoria Region via phone on (03) 7005 1929 or email karen.cullen@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 VECRA 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, 13 April 2026.