Professional Practice Lead

Office for Early Childhood Development; Adelaide; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary sacrifice benefits

Flexible working arrangements

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Office for Early Childhood Development is seeking a Professional Practice Lead to provide strategic pedagogical leadership across SA reform initiatives. The role aligns with the Royal Commission recommendations, shaping policy design, project delivery, and sector resources.

You will collaborate with the OECD and leverage data, research and curriculum knowledge to drive reform, mentor educators, and foster continuous improvement across the sector.

Qualifications

• Extensive leadership experience managing concurrent projects and programs.
• Strong understanding of early childhood education frameworks and policy environments.
• Experience mentoring educators and driving reflective practice and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Provide pedagogical leadership and expert advice across OECD areas.
• Promote a networked approach to pedagogical leadership with internal and external networks.
• Provide data-driven, evidence-based insights to inform policy and project deliverables.
• Lead development, implementation, and evaluation of policy, programs and projects.
• Lead development of team and sector professional practice in early childhood.

Skills

Pedagogical leadership

Data analysis

Stakeholder engagement

Policy development

Job description

About this role:

The Professional Practice Lead provides strategic pedagogical leadership and expert advice to shape the design and implementation of early childhood development reform initiatives across South Australia, aligned with the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Early Childhood Education and Care.

Working collaboratively across Office for Early Childhood Development (OECD) the Professional Practice Lead will draw on significant knowledge and experience in early childhood education, pedagogy and curriculum, including strategic use of data and evidence-based research.

The Professional Practice Lead will support the design and implementation of policy, projects, change initiatives and sector resources to support the achievement of organisational reform objectives and priorities, in collaboration with Project Leads and Local Teams.

Your Key Responsibilities:

• Provide pedagogical leadership and expert advice across relevant OECD business areas
• Promote and facilitate a networked approach to pedagogical leadership, including through internal and external networks
• Provide insights, through data analysis, expert advice and evidence-based research, to inform the development implementation, and evaluation of policy and project deliverables
• Lead the development, implementation, and evaluation of policy, programs and projects.
• Lead the development of early childhood and professional practice skills and knowledge of the team, office and the sector

About you:

You are a strategic and innovative leader with extensive experience driving complex projects, programs and policy initiatives that deliver meaningful outcomes. With a deep understanding of the Early Years Learning Framework, National Quality Framework and the broader early years landscape, you bring expertise in curriculum development, mentoring educators, and fostering continuous improvement. You are highly skilled in analysing complex policy issues, conducting research, and developing evidence-based advice that informs decision-making and supports sector reform. A confident and collaborative communicator, you excel at building strong stakeholder relationships, influencing diverse audiences, and translating complex information into clear, compelling messages. You thrive working both autonomously and as part of a team, managing competing priorities while delivering high-quality outcomes aligned with strategic, policy and government priorities.

To be successful in this role, we are looking for someone who brings:

• Extensive leadership experience in effectively influencing and managing a range of concurrent projects and programs
• Detailed knowledge of the Early Years Learning Framework and National Quality Framework with extensive experience in leading curriculum development, mentoring and coaching early childhood teachers and educators, and engaging in reflective practice and continuous improvement in teaching methods.
• Extensive experience in analysing and evaluating complex and sensitive policy issues and conducting high level research to develop policy advice under broad direction.
• Detailed understanding of the early years sector, including the roles and responsibilities of government agencies and non-government stakeholders and the key players likely to influence outcomes.
• A role with real influence and impact in government policy.
• Opportunities for professional development and career growth within the public sector
• Work with senior officials across government and early childhood sectors.
• Be part of an agency with a clear mission to improve the lives of South Australia’s children and families.

Access to valuable salary sacrifice benefits like car leases, portable electronic devices, mobile phones, airline lounge memberships, self-education expenses, and more. Ask us about how you can make your salary go further working at the OECD.

Access to flexible working arrangements to get that work life balance.

Remuneration:

Additional Note:

This is a full-time 2-year long term contract role (1.0 FTE) with potential to be made ongoing.

For all other special conditions please refer to the attached position description.