Principal Adviser to the Deputy Secretary

About this role

About us

The Department of Treasury and Finance provides economic, financial and resource management advice to help the Victorian Government deliver its policies. We strive for excellence in financial and economic management to improve the lives of all Victorians.

The Industrial Relations Victoria (IRV) division provides strategic industrial relations legislative, policy and technical advice to the Government and departments.

IRV develops and reviews regulatory frameworks to support a positive industrial relations environment and fair and productive workplaces, secure work and gender equity.

IRV also oversees industrial relations matters and enterprise bargaining policy and processes across the Victorian public sector. It works towards achieving a positive working environment for all Victorians through engagement with public and private sector employers, workers, and other stakeholders and representatives.

IRV consists of the Office of the Deputy Secretary, the Private Sector Industrial Relations group and the Public Sector Industrial Relations group.

About the role

Reporting to the Deputy Secretary, Industrial Relations Victoria, in the Department of Treasury and Finance, you will provide high level strategic support and advice, lead and manage strategic projects, and ensure Industrial Relations Victoria is effectively meeting key business and corporate requirements.

You will be responsible for working with the various stakeholders across the Department to provide relevant information about Industrial Relations Victoria's directions, issues and requirements to ensure appropriate information flow is considered and seamless.

You will demonstrate a good understanding of industrial relations issues, strong interpersonal skills and proven experience in providing high level authoritative policy advice on complex and sensitive issues to senior management.

Key accountabilities

• Take a lead role in contributing to Industrial Relation Victoria's (IRV) strategic policy direction, ensure divisional collaboration and play a major role in organisational decision making.
• Provide senior support to and lead and manage key strategic projects including the development of project plans, monitoring performance against objectives, managing IRV's risks and issues and ensuring that objectives are delivered on time.
• Inform the Deputy Secretary of current and potential issues in collaboration with the IRV Executive and provide expert policy and strategic advice to the Deputy Secretary.
• Prepare briefs and specialised reports to senior management, Ministers and the Executive on highly complex and sensitive issues within established parameters.
• Coordinate the IRV's processes in relation to Parliamentary Questions, Public Accounts and Estimates Committee hearings, Freedom of Information requests and cabinet submissions, to ensure the provision of timely and accurate advice.
• Manage the IRV's contribution to the Department's Corporate Plan, Annual Report, Departmental requests for information on the Division's performance, the development of IRV's business plan and report on performance in partnership with the Business Manager.
• Develop and maintain relationships with key internal and external stakeholders and provide relevant information about the IRV's direction, issues and requirements to ensure appropriate information flow.

Key Selection Criteria

• Demonstrated experience and a record of achievement in providing strategic advice, direction and information in a complex business environment.
• Outstanding strategic policy skills with capability in outcomes frameworks, strategic evaluation and building the evidence base for policy. Demonstrate a good understanding of industrial relations issues.
• High level organisational, conceptual and analytical skills and a demonstrated ability to work autonomously or with a team, to demanding timeframes and manage multiple projects simultaneously ensuring specific timelines and standards are met.
• Highly developed interpersonal skills with the ability to develop effective working relationships with senior government officials, ministerial offices and internal and external stakeholders to gain cooperation, influence views and achieve business objectives.
• A sound understanding of governance matters, probity and confidentiality requirements and the ability to maintain documentation and processes which will withstand the closest scrutiny.

Experience and qualifications

▪       A tertiary qualification in industrial relations or in employment law is highly desirable.

About our culture

We aim to be a model employer providing an inclusive workplace that is understanding and respectful of differences such as gender, identity, race, disability or age. In addition, we are committed to supporting Aboriginal pathways between education and employment.

The Department strives to create an environment that supports a flexible and adaptive workforce. All requests for flexible working arrangements will be considered in line with operational requirements.

Further Information

For more information about the position and key selection criteria, please refer to the position description. If you have specific questions regarding the role, please contact

How to apply

To apply, select the ‘Apply Now' button and provide a copy of your resume and cover letter summarising your skills and relevant experience.

Applications close at midnight, 7 July, 2025. If you require a copy of this advertisement in an accessible format, please contact the Recruitment team.

Covid-19 Vaccination
DTF is committed to providing and maintaining a working environment which is safe and without risk to the health of its employees and clients and consistent with the department's obligations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004