Manager - Strategic Policy

Department of Education, Western Australia; Perth; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

12% employer contributed superannation

Flexible working arrangements

Generous leave entitlements

Professional development opportunities

Salary packaging access

Transport access and proximity to PT

Job summary

Department of Education, Western Australia in East Perth seeks a senior strategy and policy leader to provide high‑quality analysis and strategic advice to the Executive Director, Ministers and the Premier. You will shape system‑wide policy and lead the development of strategic initiatives for WA public education.

You will prepare strategy documents, briefings and cabinet papers, advise on priorities, and drive engagement with key stakeholders while contributing to the Agency Commissioning Plan

Responsibilities

• Lead policy analysis and strategic advice to the Executive Director, Ministers and the Premier on education priorities.
• Develop system-wide strategies and policy to address complex issues and opportunities.
• Prepare strategy documents, business cases, position papers, briefings and cabinet submissions.
• Provide expert guidance on current and emerging issues to support executive decision‑making.
• Coordinate stakeholder engagement and ensure data and research underpin policy options.
• Oversee the Department's commissioning approach and support related procurement activities.

Job description

This is a permanent full-time position commencing December 2026

The Strategy and Policy Division plays a central role in advancing the Department's purpose to embed excellence and fairness at the heart of public education and set students up for a successful future. The Division coordinates and develops system-wide strategy and policy, provides school and system performance data to support effective delivery in schools, leads high-level advice on Commonwealth-State reforms and priorities, undertakes public school planning, and supports the regulation of non-government schools.

The Strategic Policy Directorate is responsible for developing strategic policy and advice that supports improved outcomes for students in WA public schools. The Directorate works across the Department, government and broader community to address emerging policy challenges, shape strategic reform and support the delivery of government priorities.

Role

The successful applicant will provide leadership and high-quality policy analysis and strategic advice to the Executive Director, Corporate Executive, Ministers and the Premier, in relation to education priorities, reforms, and initiatives. They will lead the development of system-wide strategies and initiatives to address complex policy issues. They will be responsible for preparing strategy and policy documents, business cases, position papers, briefings, cabinet papers and submissions on strategic policy matters and will contribute to the Department’s and Western Australia’s input on state and international education matters. This applicant will provide expert advice regarding current, evolving or emerging issues to facilitate executive decision-making and support the achievement of organisational and broader government objectives. They will evaluate the broader political, economic, social and technical environment to ensure appropriate research and data is available to develop policy options including the definition of the scope, opportunities and success criteria. They will also be expected to establish and maintain effective communication networks and consult with key internal and external stakeholders to support the development of informed strategic advice. They will be responsible for leading and managing the development of strategy and policy advice to support Government, Ministerial and Department priorities.

A key focus for this role will be agency commissioning with responsibility for stewarding the Department's commissioning approach, guided by our new Agency Commissioning Plan 2025. The plan outlines the Department's approach to commissioning community services over the next five years, including its commitment to strengthen its commissioning capability and maturity and increase the number of Aboriginal Community‑Controlled Organisations delivering community services to students in WA public schools. Previous experience in commissioning services, programs or contracts would be particularly relevant as the successful applicant leads the needs analysis, stakeholder engagement and service design phases of the Department's commissioning approach in collaboration with other business areas across the organisation. The role will also support the procurement, contracting and transition phases of commissioning and undertake other activities that support the strengthening of the Department's commissioning maturity into the future.

Professional Benefits

We are conveniently located in East Perth and our employees enjoy a range of benefits which include:

• 12% employer contributed superannuation.
• Flexible working arrangements are genuinely considered to create healthy work life balance including; working from home or remote, flexible working hours and part‑time arrangements
• Generous leave entitlements including annual, personal, long service and parental leave
• Professional development opportunities and study leave/assistance
• Access to salary packaging (in accordance with relevant industrial instruments)
• Enjoy easy access to public transport with the Claisebrook train station just a 5‑minute walk away or, take advantage of the free Yellow Cat bus service that stops outside our building entrance. Additionally, various CPP parking locations are within walking distance.

We are committed to building the leadership capability of our people (Building Leadership Impact).

Equity and Diversity

We are committed to an inclusive and culturally responsive workforce reflecting the diversity in our workplaces and the Western Australian community. We welcome and encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, young people, people of diverse sexualities and genders, people with disability, and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

Explore our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Plan 2021-2025 for more details.

Eligibility

• be an Australian or New Zealand citizen, permanent resident or have a valid visa with relevant work rights for the term of the appointment.
• consent to a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check and obtain a current Screening Clearance Number issued by the Department of Education’s Screening Unit before you start.

More information about employment eligibility can be found on our website and in the attached Job Description Form (JDF).

Implements and manages strategy

• translates overarching strategy into operational goals and creates a shared sense of purpose within the business unit
• engages others in the strategic direction of the work area, encourages their contribution, and communicates expected outcomes
• considers the ramifications of a wide range of issues, anticipates priorities and develops long term plans for the work area
• understands objective, critical analysis and distils the core issues.

Achieves results

• evaluates ongoing project and program performance and identifies critical success factors
• establishes clear plans and timeframes for project implementation and outlines specific activities
• strives to achieve and encourages others to do the same
• monitors progress and identifies risks that may impact outcome and adjusts plans as required
• builds effective teams that are able to respond flexibly to changing circumstances
• allocates resources in appropriate and adaptive ways to deliver high quality results.

Builds productive relationships

• builds and sustains relationships with a network of key people internally and externally
• recognises shared agendas and works toward mutually beneficial outcomes
• brings people together and encourages input from key stakeholders.

Please note that the panel will not assess information beyond the page limits outlined above, or additional attachments.

Shortlisted applicants will have their skills and experiences in relation to the remaining selection criteria assessed in the further stages of the recruitment process.

Your application must be received before the closing date and time. Late applications will not be accepted.

For technical support submitting your application, you can call the Department of Education’s Recruitment team on [phone] for assistance.

Advertised Vacancy Number: DOE1069598

Applicants assessed as suitable may be considered for similar vacancies that arise in our branch within the next 12 months. This includes circumstances where this position becomes subsequently vacant should the successful applicant decline or vacate the advertised position.

The Department applies a four (4) day breach period to this selection process.

Applications close: 4.30pm (AWST) on Tuesday, 17 November 2026