About the Department

The role of the Department of Education is to support Victorians to build prosperous, socially engaged, happy and healthy lives. It does this by supporting lifelong learning and healthy development, strengthening families and helping to equip people with the skills and knowledge for a 21st century economy and society.

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 Strategy and Planning Division is responsible for setting VSBA's strategic policy direction, shaping portfolio investment decisions, developing and implementing programs that address accessibility, inclusion and accommodation initiatives, and building school capacity to manage assets.

As part of the Strategy and Planning Division, the Asset Strategy Branch is responsible for the asset strategy and operating framework, investment strategy, policy setting, information management, budget strategy and coordination.

The Branch carries out activities such as; developing business cases for the State Budget, preparing briefs for Government on strategic issues and risks, developing and reviewing policies for school asset management, and developing strategies to improve asset management practice and asset performance.

About the Role

Budget Strategy Unit

The Budget Strategy Unit leads the state budget strategy for school infrastructure and brings in funding in to the VSBA for school infrastructure projects.

The role of the Senior Data Advisor within Budget Strategy Unit is to lead the development of school infrastructure business cases that recommend State Budget funding, as well as the development of various research projects, data and briefings related to program evaluation and budget pressure.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading the drafting of business cases to government as part of the annual State Budget process, including stakeholder engagement and project management requirements.
• Leading the drafting of various research and data products related to program evaluation and budget pressure.
• Developing project costings and managing project lists to a high degree of accuracy
• Undertaking analysis and liaising with stakeholders to make recommendations to Management and the Executive team on investment priorities in the school portfolio.
• Promoting and maintaining strong relationships with key stakeholders within the Authority and across the Department.
• Undertaking policy analysis to provide options and recommendations to management
• Responding to requests for information and analysis from a range of critical stakeholders, including those external to the Department
• Providing leadership support to the respective unit, including contributing to process improvement and documentation for the unit, as well as guidance for junior staff as required.

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 role or team. 

Applications should include a current CV and a cover letter of no more than 3 pages addressing the Key Selection Criteria outlined in the position description.

Attributes

The ideal candidate will have strong conceptual skills, demonstrating an ability to quickly grasp complex concepts, and communicate these succinctly and persuasively in written communication. Candidates will require strong written skills as well as excellent attention to detail.

Desirable Qualifications and Experience

• Desirable : Relevant tertiary qualification Commerce
• Desirable : Relevant tertiary qualification Social Science

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 Nick Taylor – Manager Budget Strategy Unit | 03 7022 0665 | nick.taylor3@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 18 May 2026.