Manager, Kindergarten Inclusion Policy and Reform

Department of Education; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 140,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Department of Education in Victoria seeks a Manager for Kindergarten Inclusion Policy and Reform to lead a team delivering evidence-based reforms that strengthen inclusion for children with disability across the kindergarten system. The role will guide a two-year research program and establish a system-wide capability uplift for teachers and services.

The successful candidate will oversee implementation, monitoring and evaluation, coordinate with the Inclusion Programs Unit, and provide

Qualifications

• Must hold tertiary qualifications in public policy, early childhood or a related field.
• Experience leading teams responsible for significant reform projects in high profile and sensitive contexts.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team to design and deliver evidence-based reforms strengthening inclusion of children with disability in Victoria’s kindergarten system.
• Oversee implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the capability uplift program for kindergarten teachers and services.
• Provide authoritative policy and program advice to senior decision-makers, including on NDIS Reform impacts.
• Build productive stakeholder relationships across internal and external partners.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Tertiary qualifications in public policy or early childhood

Job description

Manager, Kindergarten Inclusion Policy and Reform

The Manager, Kindergarten Inclusion Policy and Reform Unit, will lead a team to design and deliver evidence-based reforms that strengthen the inclusion of children with disability across Victoria's kindergarten system.

About the Role

The Manager, Kindergarten Inclusion Policy and Reform Unit, leads a team to design and deliver evidence-based reforms that strengthen the inclusion of children with disability across Victoria's kindergarten system. Drawing on a two-year research program, the role will establish a system-wide capability uplift program for kindergarten teachers and services and oversee its implementation, monitoring and evaluation.

Working closely with the Inclusion Programs Unit, the Manager will ensure that new reforms complement existing inclusion supports and reflect operational experience. The role will also lead complex policy analysis, develop productive stakeholder relationships and provide authoritative advice to senior decision-makers on emerging issues, including changes arising from the NDIS Reform.

This fixed term position is available until 30 June 2029.

Attributes

To be successful in this role, the incumbent will require the ability to:

• proactively identify, and critically evaluate operational and strategic contextual issues that will impact on policy reform options and program design
• articulates and conceptualise interdependent streams of work into a clear work program that defines success measures, roles and responsibilities, including governance processes to manage risks and maximise probability of success
• work collaboratively with a range of internal and external stakeholders, including experts in the design process, to understand user needs, obtain insights and input, as well as testing and validating policy and program options
• formulate and communicate policy options using a clear narrative that reaches senior decision makers.

Qualifications and Experience

• Required: Tertiary qualifications in public policy, early childhood or relevant field
• Required: Experience in leading teams responsible for significant reform projects in high profile and sensitive contexts

About the Division

The Early Learning Practice and Participation (ELPAP) Division guides, supports, and inspires high quality educational practice that improves the learning and development outcomes of Victoria's young children in government funded early learning programs. The Division's work is underpinned by a commitment to ensuring that all children are able to access, be included in, and engage with early learning. ELPAP leads operational policy and program development to deliver high quality, inclusive kindergarten programs and to support participation for children experiencing vulnerability and disadvantage, those who stand to benefit most from early learning.

The Division is also responsible for the delivery of professional practice supports and quality initiatives for kindergarten and Pre-Prep aligned to the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework (VEYLDF) and National Quality Framework (NQF).

To carry out this work, the Division is organised into two branches: the Early Learning Participation Branch and the Professional Practice Branch. Together, these branches lead work across several key focus areas:

• Delivering practice quality enablers that improve workforce retention and recognition
• Developing and implementing participation and inclusion supports for all children
• Implementing needs-based funding for kindergartens
• Working with system partners to proactively identify and connect children who might otherwise miss out on kindergarten, ensuring their enrolment and attendance

This role sits within Early Learning Participation Branch.

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.

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 Rosie Pizzi – Director Early Learning Participation, ***********@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.

Applications close 11:59pm on Monday, 23 November 2026