About the Role

This is a full-time fixed term position until 5 February 2027.

The role operates within the School Cleaning Unit of the Victorian School Building Authority, which manages cleaning services for metropolitan schools through ten major contracts and supports regional school cleaning through a compliance and monitoring framework. Working with a high degree of autonomy, the Senior Program Advisor provides high-quality advice, coordination and assurance across program activities, stakeholder engagement, reporting and governance. The role requires sound judgement, strong written communication skills and the ability to operate effectively in a complex public sector environment with multiple stakeholders contributing positively to shared outcomes.

Key responsibilities of this role include:

• Manage work and projects with limited direction, exercising sound judgement to resolve issues and escalate matters appropriately.
• Lead data support analysis, reporting and program decision-making.
• Provide leadership and accountability for outcomes.
• Prepare advanced communications, reports, briefs and correspondence.
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with all stakeholders.
• Negotiate with stakeholders on behalf of the VSBA within delegations of the role.
• Communicate with school representatives to provide support resolution of operational issues.
• Ensure timely responses to stakeholder inquiries.
• Accountability for administrative and program support and completion of actions.
  
  

Attributes

• A proactive and solutions-focused approach, managing competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to take responsibility for work outcomes and exercise sound judgement in complex situations.
• Stakeholder engagement and relationship management skills to influence outcomes.
• Highly developed written and verbal communication skills to prepare clear, accurate and persuasive documentation.
• A customer focused approach, with a commitment to customer service excellence.
• Leadership skills providing strong support and expert advice to staff.
• Demonstrated experience in program, operational or business coordination.
  
  

Qualifications and Experience

• Strong operational, administrative management and customer service skills (required).
• Excellent skills in using Microsoft Office software including Outlook, Word, Excel, Teams, PowerPoint, (required)
• Knowledge of Victorian State Government policies, processes and accountability frameworks (highly desirable).
• A relevant tertiary qualification (desirable).
• Experience in a similar role within government and/or Victoria Public Service processes (highly desirable).

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. 

About the Department

The Department of Education 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

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 Unit:

The School Cleaning Unit is responsible for overseeing large-scale service delivery arrangements to metropolition schools ensuring schools are clean, safe and fit for purpose. The unit works closely with schools, service providers and internal stakeholders to monitor performance, manage issues and support continuous improvement across the program. They support regional school cleaning through a compliance and monitoring framework.

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. 

Flexible Work Expectations

This role has hybrid working arrangements. For full-time employees, the department expects 3 days per week in the office, in line with the VPS Agreement 2024. This role follows those same operational requirements: 3 in-office days, 2 remote (if full-time).  

How to apply

Your application will need to include a Current Resume and a Cover Letter (max 2 pages) which addresses the key selection criteria you can find in the Position Description.  

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 Daniel Kade, Manager Governance, Finance and Quality via email daniel.kade@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 11/02/2026