Manager, School & Student Services

State Government of Victoria, Australia; City of Melbourne; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

The State Government of Victoria's Department of Education seeks a senior leader to head the Assessment Division in Melbourne, CBD and inner metro. You will lead a high-performing team delivering student results, enrolments and certification services, ensuring accuracy, continuous improvement and strong stakeholder engagement.

You will manage significant budgets, shape policy, and drive the delivery of examinations, data systems and certificates while modelling VPS values and delivering outcomes

Job description

Location: Melbourne - CBD and Inner Metro suburbs

Reference: VG/DE/VCAA/1950510

Lead a high-performing team delivering student results, enrolments and certification services, ensuring accurate data, effective systems, continuous improvement, stakeholder engagement and compliance with VCAA policies and legislation.

About the Division

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.

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.
• Ensure policies, processes and systems are developed, maintained, and continually improved to support the delivery of a range of administrative functions related to the provision of student results and/or certification for the Authority.
• Operate and administer a range of processes and digital systems for student registration, enrolment, collection and provision of results including credit and equivalent qualifications.
• Provide expert support and advice to internal/external stakeholders as appropriate, in particular education providers, in the provision of administrative services.
• Ensure the timely, accurate and complete capture and maintenance of appropriate data relating to the delivery of education programs (e.g. enrolments and results), including determination of final outcomes for students.
• Develop, manage, and review the VCAA Special Provision policy and procedures.
• This role will require work outside standard business hours during peak operational periods to meet business requirements.

Attributes

Please refer to the position description attached.

Desirable Qualifications and Experience

Please refer to the position description attached.

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 Justin Seabury, Director, Assessment Operations via [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 16 October

Applications close Friday 16 October 2026 at 11.59pm