Principal, Strategic Data Capability

Department of Transport & Planning Victoria; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 160,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Department of Transport & Planning Victoria in Melbourne seeks a Principal, Strategic Data Capability to lead the design and delivery of data solutions that inform evidence-based decisions. You will align data strategy, coordinate program planning, and ensure secure, ethical data handling while collaborating with Data & Digital and the wider organisation.

You will bring strong technical expertise, governance focus, and the ability to translate complex problems into practical solutions, guiding

Qualifications

• Translates complex data problems into practical solutions.
• Gathers requirements from stakeholders and translates them into technical specs.
• Familiar with agile methodologies and practices.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and delivery of data solutions.
• Coordinate program planning and governance.
• Ensure data is managed securely, ethically and in line with best practice.
• Shape data strategy and drive data governance best practices.
• Collaborate with Data & Digital and wider business stakeholders.

Skills

Requirements gathering

Stakeholder engagement

Data governance

Agile methodologies

Clear communication

Education

Tertiary qualification in information systems / computer science / business / commerce or related field

Tools

SQL

Python

Job description

Department of Transport & Planning Victoria – Melbourne VIC

The Principal, Strategic Data Capability leads the design and delivery of data solutions that help the Department make better, evidence based decisions. Working closely with stakeholders across Data and Digital and the wider business, you’ll shape data strategy, coordinate program planning and ensure data is managed securely, ethically and in line with best practice. Reporting to the Chief Data & Digital, you’ll bring strong technical expertise and sound judgement to projects that improve how the Department collects, processes and uses data, helping deliver better, more reliable outcomes for Victorians.

Whatwe’relooking for

You’resomeone who:

• translates complex data problems into practical, usable solutions.
• builds strong relationships with stakeholders and brings them along on the data journey.
• has a sharp eye for data governance, quality and security, and takes pride in doing things the right way.
• looks ahead, bringing new technologies and better ways of working into everyday practice.
• communicates clearly, whether explaining technical detail to specialists or distilling it for a non-technical audience.

Clickhereto access the Position Description.

Qualifications and experience

You’llbring:

• A tertiary qualification in information systems, computer science, business, commerce or a related field, or equivalent experience (mandatory).
• Proven experience collaborating with business stakeholders to gather requirements and translate them into technical specifications (mandatory).
• Solid experience in program planning and familiarity with agile methodologies and practices (mandatory).
• Experience designing data solutions across various platforms and technologies, and confidence working with SQL or Python (desirable).

Pre-employment checks and employment conditions

Relevant pre-employment screening and reference checks will berequired.

Applicants must be an Australian Citizen, Permanent Resident or hold a valid work permit or visa necessary for the nature of the position.

Recipients of Victorian Public Service (VPS) voluntary departure packages should note that re-employment restrictions apply.

Applications close at 11.59pm on Tuesday, 27th October 2026.

For further information about the role, please contact Ashleigh McPherson - Executive Assistant to Chief Data & Digital, at ***************@transport.vic.gov.au

Redeployees

If you are a VPS redeployee, please state this in your cover letter and include your case manager’s contact details. This helps ensure your redeployment status is appropriately considered. For more information on redeployment, visit the Victorian Government policy

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