Program Manager

Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions VIC; City of Melbourne; On-site; AUD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions VIC in Melbourne is seeking a Program Manager to lead Aboriginal economic development projects and grant programs. You will drive program objectives, manage the lifecycle of initiatives, and collaborate with First Peoples businesses, Traditional Owner Corporations, and government partners to achieve outcomes.

You will work within the Aboriginal Economic Development Branch to strengthen self-determination and growth, building trusted relationships

Qualifications

• Highly developed project delivery capability across complex stakeholder environments.
• Strong written, visual and verbal communication for reports and briefings.
• Proven experience leading multiple projects and grant programs across the lifecycle.

Responsibilities

• Manages, leads and delivers priority Aboriginal Economic Development projects and grant programs across the project management lifecycle, driving actions and outcomes.
• Provides timely, evidence-based advice and clear recommendations to senior management and Ministers.
• Builds and maintains strategic partnerships with First Peoples businesses, Traditional Owner Corporations and stakeholders across government and industry.
• Independently negotiates with Traditional Owner Corporations and stakeholders to secure cooperation and meet timeframes.
• Monitors and manages grant agreement performance and compliance, identifying risks and taking corrective action.

Skills

Project management

Stakeholder management

Communication skills

Government & program delivery

Job description

Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions VIC – Melbourne VIC

• Ongoing role


• Usual hours of work:Full-time (flexibility may be available)


• Usual work location:121 Exhibition Street, Melbourne CBD (flexibility may be available)

Aboriginal Prioritised

This is a prioritised position for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in accordance with the Special Measures provision of the Equal Opportunity Act 2010 (Vic). Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply and will be given priority consideration for this role.

The Role

This is an exciting opportunity for a driven, accountable and outcomes-focused professional with highly developed project management, conceptual and analytical capabilities, demonstrated government and program delivery experience, and excellent communication and stakeholder management skills. The Program Manager will lead multiple Aboriginal economic development projects and grant programs across the project management lifecycle, responding effectively to emerging priorities and managing complex stakeholder environments. The role will support First Peoples' self-determination and leadership by strengthening the capability, capacity and growth of First Peoples businesses and Traditional Owner Corporations across Victoria, while ensuring First Peoples' perspectives, priorities and practices are valued, understood and embedded. Working collaboratively across DJSIR and government, the role will build strong relationships with First Peoples businesses, Traditional Owner Corporations, Victorian First Peoples peak bodies, government, industry and other key stakeholders to support implementation of the Yuma Yirramboi Strategy.

Main Accountabilities:

• Manages, leads and delivers priority Aboriginal Economic Development projects and grant programs across the project management lifecycle, driving agreed actions and outcomes aligned with program objectives, government requirements and timeframes.


• Provides timely, evidence-based advice and clear recommendations to senior management and Ministers to support project and program delivery, resolve complex issues and enable informed decisions.


• Builds and maintains strategic partnerships across the Branch, DJSIR, government and external stakeholders to connect and deliver initiatives supporting Aboriginal Victorians' economic development, consistent with the Victorian Government's self-determination framework and the Yuma Yirramboi Strategy.


• Independently negotiates with Traditional Owner Corporations, stakeholders and peers to secure cooperation, resolve issues and meet agreed timeframes for the delivery of projects, programs and advice.


• Monitors and manages grant agreement performance and compliance, identifies delivery and governance risks and implements corrective action to achieve program outcomes.

The Team

The position of Program Manager forms a part of the Aboriginal Economic Development Branch within the Economic Policy, Programs and Services Group.

The Economic Policy, Programs and Services (EPPS) group brings together advanced capabilities in economics and public policy, data and modelling, program design and evaluation, project management, delivery and assurance. EPPS works in partnership across the department and provides portfolio responsibilities for Aboriginal economic development, including driving implementation of the Yuma Yirramboi Strategy.

The Aboriginal Economic Development (AED) branch leads work across the department to support Aboriginal self-determination through employment and economic development. The branch works in partnership with First Peoples communities, Aboriginal businesses, Traditional Owner Corporations and stakeholders across government and industry to deliver culturally informed initiatives and economic development outcomes.

About You

You will bring highly developed project delivery capability, with demonstrated experience leading and delivering multiple projects and grant programs across different stages of the project management lifecycle in complex stakeholder environments. You will have highly developed written, visual and verbal communication skills, with experience preparing and presenting clear, concise and persuasive reports, submissions, briefings, recommendations and presentations on complex and sensitive matters. You will also have highly developed stakeholder engagement capability, including building trusted relationships with Victorian First Peoples communities, First Peoples businesses and Traditional Owner Corporations, leading culturally safe engagement and influencing outcomes to deliver project and program objectives.

Further Information

For a confidential discussion, please contact Camm Myrtle, Director, Aboriginal Economic Development Branch on ***********@ecodev.vic.gov.au and 0418 426 388.

The Department is committed to creating and maintaining a child safe organisation. We have zero tolerance of child abuse and are committed to taking the necessary steps to protect children from harm by adopting a preventative, proactive and participatory approach to child safety in accordance with the Child Safe Standards.

Successful candidates will be required to undergo a National Police Records Check prior to commencing employment with the Department.

This position has a requirement to undertake some travel. Some out-of-hours work may be required, for example to meet critical client deadlines or during emergency situations.

Please note: We are committed to inclusive recruitment. If you require an adjustment to participate in any stage of the recruitment process or have a particular requirement to be communicated with by either telephone or email only, please notify the DJSIR Talent Acquisition Team on 0472 875 ***, or via email at ***********@ecodev.vic.gov.au with the position number in the subject line.

Applications close at 23:59pm on 1 October 2026.

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