Manager, Assessment Policy & Implementation

Victorian Government; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 143,000 - 191,000; Full time

Job summary

The Victorian Government seeks an experienced Unit Manager to lead the Assessment Division, VCAA, delivering high-quality policy and implementation outcomes. You will manage a high-performing team, oversee budgets and resourcing, and provide authoritative analysis to support senior decision-makers while building strong stakeholder relationships.

Based in East Melbourne, the role is full-time with flexible work options where possible; salary ranges from $142,790 to $191,084 plus 12%

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a high-performing team, overseeing budget and resources.
• Model VPS values to drive a positive, inclusive workplace.
• Build and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Provide leadership in a dynamic environment, delivering high-quality outcomes on time.
• Provide authoritative analysis and expert advice to support decision-making and resolve issues.
• Contribute to strategic planning and business planning.
• Lead a client-focused function for data and reporting needs, including ad-hoc and statutory reporting.
• Engage with internal and external stakeholders to promote product outputs and reporting services.
• Drive continuous improvement through new techniques and service delivery approaches.
• Represent the organisation in national and international forums and liaise with schools, sector bodies and contractors.
• This role may require work outside standard business hours during peak periods.

Job description

Location: Melbourne - CBD and Inner Metro suburbs

Reference: VG/DE/VCAA/1952985

An exciting opportunity exists to join the Assessment Division, VCAA in the Assessment Policy and Implementation Unit as Unit Manager.

• Salary: $142,790 - $191,084 (Plus Superannuation of 12%)
• Ongoing
• Usual hours of work: Full time (flexible work conditions may be available)
• Usual work location: East Melbourne

About the Department

The VCAA is a statutory body responsible to the Victorian Minister for Education, serving both government and non-government schools. In this context, the VCAA is responsible for developing high-quality curriculum and assessment products and services.

The VCAA is a registered foundational and senior secondary awarding body with the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority (VRQA). As part of its functions, the VCAA develops policies, criteria and standards for:

• curriculum, assessments and courses for school-aged students
• learning, development and assessments which relate to early childhood

The VCAA develops strong relationships with the government, Independent and Catholic school sector, other national and interstate curriculum authorities, academics in the field, teacher/subject associations and, most importantly, with Victorian educators.

All VCAA employees are expected to perform their duties in accordance with relevant legislation, governance requirements, policies and procedures, safety obligations, the Code of Conduct for Victorian public sector employees, and the Victorian Public Sector Values.

All roles are expected to work collaboratively across teams and functions, build productive relationships, and contribute to shared organisational outcomes.

About the Division

Assessment Division is responsible for the end-to-end development, delivery, and reporting of F-10, VCE examinations, GAT and NAPLAN tests. This includes the full assessment lifecycle: development of frameworks and blueprints, panel appointments, content development, editorial and design services, logistics, administration, marking, data processing, and reporting of outcomes.

The division also manages:

• VCE and VPC student records and enrolment data
• issuing of VCE and VPC certificates
• digital assessment platforms, including the Insight platform and Digital Assessment Library.

About the Role

• Lead and manage a high-performing team to deliver high-quality services, while overseeing significant budget, resourcing and people management responsibilities.
• Drive and sustain a positive organisational culture by modelling behaviours aligned with the VCAA's vision and mission and the VPS values, and promoting a safe, inclusive and high-performing workplace.
• Build and maintain respectful, collaborative and productive relationships with internal and external stakeholders to achieve shared outcomes.
• Provide leadership in a dynamic environment by responding flexibly to shifting priorities, managing pressure effectively and ensuring delivery of high-quality outcomes within tight timeframes.
• Provide authoritative analysis and expert advice to:
  • support evidence-based decision-making for VCAA management, the Board, staff and external stakeholders
  • resolve complex issues through consultation, negotiation and sound judgement
  • communicate and manage highly complex, contentious or sensitive matters requiring advanced negotiation, communication and interpersonal skills
  • Drive continuous improvement by responding innovatively to emerging strategic issues affecting the operating environment, and ensuring work aligns with relevant legislation, regulations and organisational requirements.
• Contribute to strategic planning and be accountable for achieving established objectives, including the development and management of business plans.
• Lead a client focused function that anticipates and responds to the data and reporting needs of the organisation. This includes ad-hoc, cyclic and statutory data provision and reporting of information internally and externally.
• Lead engagement with internal an d external stakeholders to support understanding and utilisation of relevant organisational products, outputs and services that provide data or report information.
• Drive continuous improvement in efficiencies of processes and quality of provision of data and reporting to meet stakeholder needs by leading the adoption of new techniques, technologies and service delivery approaches.
• Represent the organisation in national and international forums, including supporting Victorian participation in sample assessments and liaising with schools, sector bodies and external contractors.
• This role may require work outside standard business hours during peak operational periods to meet business requirements.

Desirable Qualifications and Experience

• Extensive

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 Kelly Jarvis, Executive Director, Assessment via email [e-mail]

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 30-Oct-2026