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 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. 

About the Branch

Located across the four VECRA regions and the central office, the Operations Branch manages and supports regional teams to deliver VECRA's core regulatory work. The safety, rights and best interests of children are paramount in all regulatory decisions, actions and priorities.  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.

About the Role

Lead a regional workforce dedicated to improving outcomes for children across Victoria's early childhood sector.

One ongoing opportunity is available for an experienced and values-driven leader to join VECRA as the Regional Manager, South Western Victoria Region.

Reporting to the Director, Regional Operations Branch, you will provide strategic leadership and direction for regulatory work across your region. Leading a team of Operations Managers, authorised officers and regional staff, you will drive performance, manage risk, oversee quality outcomes and ensure regulatory activities are delivered in a consistent, risk-based and responsive manner.

You will play a key role in translating statewide priorities into regional strategy, fostering a high-performing workforce and providing trusted intelligence and advice on emerging risks, trends and operational performance. Working collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders, you will contribute to the continuous improvement of regulatory practice and help shape the delivery of VECRA's objectives across Victoria.

This is a rewarding opportunity to lead meaningful work that influences the safety, quality and integrity of Victoria's early childhood education and care sector.

Key accountabilities

Key accountabilities include:

• providing strategic leadership and direction for regulatory activities across the region
• leading and developing Operations Managers and fostering a high-performing regional workforce
• driving regional performance, quality and risk management outcomes
• translating statewide priorities into regional plans and operational delivery
• managing complex, sensitive and high-risk regulatory matters
• providing intelligence, advice and recommendations to support organisational decision-making
• building and maintaining productive relationships with key stakeholders
• contributing to regulatory improvement initiatives, operational policy development and organisational priorities.

Regional information and travel requirements

This advertisement is for one ongoing VPS6 Regional Manager position based in the South Western Victoria Region reporting to the Director, Regional Operations Branch.

The Regional Manager, South Western Victoria, is required to travel regularly throughout the region and, at times, across Victoria. This may include planned overnight travel. The South Western Victoria region comprises area based teams located in Footscray, Ballarat and Geelong.

The role involves a combination of office-based work, stakeholder engagement, attendance at meetings and forums, workforce leadership and visits to regional area based locations, services and workplaces.

By applying for this position, you are confirming your willingness to meet these requirements.

Attributes

To be successful in this role, you will:

• demonstrate strong leadership experience, including leading leaders and building high-performing teams
• bring sound judgement and the ability to make decisions in complex and dynamic environments
• have experience managing performance, risk and service delivery outcomes
• build credibility and influence with senior stakeholders and partners
• communicate complex information clearly and effectively to a range of audiences
• navigate sensitive and challenging issues with professionalism and diplomacy
• think strategically while maintaining a focus on operational delivery and outcomes
• drive continuous improvement and organisational change.

We are looking for a strategic and collaborative leader with strong judgement, a focus on performance and the ability to lead teams through change and complexity.

Qualifications and Experience

Desirable: Relevant qualifications in leadership, management, education, regulation, public administration or a related field.

Essential: Demonstrated experience leading teams and delivering operational outcomes in a complex environment.

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

Further Information

Please submit a CV and cover letter (maximum two pages) outlining your relevant skills, experience and suitability for the role.

Your cover letter should demonstrate how your skills and experience align with the capabilities outlined in the attached Position Description.

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.

For further information pertaining to the role, please contact Karen Cullen, Director, Regional Operations via 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 15 October 2026.