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 Victorian School Building Authority

The Victorian School Building Authority (VSBA) is part of the Department of Education. Established in 2016, it oversees Victoria's largest school building program since the state introduced free public education in the 1870s.   

The VSBA upgrades and expands existing schools and plans, designs and builds new schools to meet enrolment demand. We also support schools to maintain their buildings and grounds by offering expert advice and coordinating maintenance programs and grants.   

With Victoria recently introducing two years of funded kindergarten, the VSBA is also working with the early childhood sector on a massive kindergarten construction program. 

About the Division

The Asset Management Division helps schools maintain and manage their buildings and grounds and ensures they are more energy efficient. The Division trains school leaders as facilities managers and supports them to develop school maintenance plans. They coordinate programs, assessments, and systems to ensure schools are routinely maintained and cleaned.

The Division includes the Asset Management Branch, School Asset Management Support Branch, Facilities Branch, Maintenance Delivery Branch and the Programs Branch.

About the Role

This role is part of the School Cleaning Unit (SCU) in the Facilities Branch. The SCU is responsible for supporting all Victorian Government Schools with the delivery of cleaning services, including management of the Metropolitan Area-Based School Cleaning Agreements.

The Senior Project Officer (SPO) will report to the Team Leader and play a leading role in preparing high-quality ministerial briefings, overseeing and contributing to procurement submissions, and delivering complex government writing across a range of contexts.

This position requires a deep understanding of public sector governance and policy. The SPO will lead the preparation of official documentation and correspondence to inform and support senior executive decision-making, contribute to strategic initiatives, and ensure compliance with procurement frameworks. 

The successful candidate will have exceptional written communication skills, an ability to interpret and apply government policies, and strong attention to detail. They will demonstrate a proactive and collaborative working style, the ability to manage competing deadlines, and experience engaging with internal and external stakeholders in a fast-paced environment.

Key responsibilities of this role include:

• Apply your strong understanding of public administration, policy development, and government processes to support SCU deliverables such as government briefings, cabinet submissions, budget submissions, complex reports and correspondence
• Produce high-quality government writing to support decision-making and program delivery
• Lead cross-functional initiatives and collaborate with internal and external stakeholders—including principals, regional support staff, and service providers—to manage risks, align strategic objectives, and ensure the successful delivery of school cleaning initiatives
• Manage end-to-end procurement processes for medium- to high-value projects, ensuring alignment with government policy and procedures
• Drive continuous improvement of systems and documentation to meet operational and compliance needs
• Lead the development and delivery of communication and engagement plans, ensuring consistent messaging and tools to support school cleaning initiatives
• Collaborate with colleagues across the department to manage risks, resolve issues, and ensure the successful delivery of projects
• Develop and implement school cleaning policies, procedures, and standards that meet legislative and regulatory requirements
• Oversee daily operational tasks as needed, including inbox management, Asset Information Management System (AIMS) reporting, and support to the SCU's operations team

Attributes

• Passionate about quality and continuous improvement, with a sound understanding of the public sector environment
• Strategic thinker with demonstrated leadership and initiative to drive impactful outcomes beyond administrative support
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence senior stakeholders, convey complex information clearly, and manage sensitive or challenging interactions professionally
• Strong problem-solving and process-thinking abilities, with a focus on navigating complex environments, integrating systems and practices, and building collaborative solutions
• Strong administrative skills with a high level of knowledge and experience across the MS Office suite of products
• Comfortable with ambiguity and working in an autonomous environment
• Excellent time management skills, with a proactive and adaptable approach to shifting priorities 

All VSBA staff have a shared responsibility to meet the same service standards outlined in the VSBA Customer Service Charter.  Our goal is to make every interaction with the VSBA a positive one for our customers, colleagues, and key partners regardless of our individual roles or team. 

Desirable Qualifications and Experience

• Essential: Demonstrated strong understanding and experience of the processes and levers that apply to government
• Essential: Strong administrative skills with a high level of knowledge and experience across the MS Office suite of products
• Essential: A process-driven professional with experience working in a large team and fast-paced environment.
• Desirable: 1-3 years of progressive experience in public policy, business administration, project management, governance, or strategic planning
• Desirable: 1-3 years of progressive experience in reform projects, framework development, or in advisory roles where interpretation of policy and strategic alignment were key responsibilities
• Desirable: A relevant tertiary qualification in fields such as law, contract management, or public administration

Further Information

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

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 Bess Tasli, Team Leader via email bess.tasli@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 06-JUL-2025.