Principal Advisor

Social Services Regulator (SSR); Melbourne; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 152,000; Full time

Job summary

Social Services Regulator (SSR) is seeking a Principal Advisor to provide high-level strategic and coordination support to the Executive Director and the division responsible for worker screening functions. The role delivers trusted, strategic advice, coordinates initiatives across the division, and leads priority reform projects.

The successful candidate will drive a cohesive division strategy, align with government directions and legislative obligations, and oversee planning and performance

Qualifications

• Experience providing high-quality strategic advice to senior leaders.
• Ability to coordinate across divisions to drive reform initiatives.
• Strong planning, performance tracking and risk assessment skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide authoritative, high-quality strategic advice to the Executive Director on system performance, emerging risks and reform directions, supported by robust analysis.
• Coordinate divisional planning, prioritisation and reporting to align with government commitments and reform priorities.
• Lead priority reform initiatives and ensure cohesive, whole-of-division strategy and execution.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Executive advisory

Stakeholder management

Job description

This is a Fixed-term vacancy until 31-Jan-2027

THE ROLE

The Principal Advisor provides high-level strategic and coordination support to the Executive Director and a newly formed division responsible for the Social Services Regulator's worker screening functions. Reporting directly to the Executive Director, the role drives a cohesive, whole-of-division approach to strategy, regulatory approach, planning and performance, ensuring regulatory schemes operate in a coordinated and consistent way. As a trusted advisor to the Executive Director and working closely with the division's leadership team, the role delivers high quality strategic advice, coordinates divisional and organisational initiatives and leads priority reform initiatives.

ACCOUNTABILITIES INCLUDE

• Provide authoritative, high-quality strategic advice to the Executive Director on system performance, emerging risks, sensitive issues and reform directions, supported by robust analysis and a whole-of-division perspective, including through the preparation of clear, timely briefings, submissions and recommendations.
• Drive cohesive divisional strategies and initiatives that strengthen the SSR's worker screening functions; identify and address cross-scheme risks; set reform priorities and ensure alignment with government direction and legislative obligations.
• Oversee integrated divisional planning, prioritisation and reporting for the Division, ensuring alignment to scheme objectives, legislative obligations and government commitments and tracking performance to surface and respond to emerging risks.

For more details, please open the position description.

Applicants must be an Australian Citizen, Permanent Resident or hold a valid work permit or visa. Work eligibility will be checked as part of the recruitment process.

Preferred candidates will be required to complete pre-employment screening, including a national police check and misconduct screening.