Program Manager

Department of Education; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Victorian School Building Authority (VSBA), part of the Department of Education, seeks a Maintenance Planning professional to support asset management under the shared responsibility model. You will help ensure information, tools and capability are available to manage assets across schools and early childhood facilities.

The role focuses on coordinating and analysing cross-divisional issues, implementing reforms to strengthen asset management, and delivering maintenance programs and initiatives

Qualifications

• Strong stakeholder management and governance capabilities.
• Desirable leadership experience in the public sector.

Responsibilities

• Support cross-Divisional activities, including reporting and stakeholder enquiries.
• Facilitate the strategic implementation of Division programs.
• Analyse and review complex issues to identify solutions for organisational challenges.
• Develop and update business processes, communications collateral and documentation for key programs.
• Plan and implement change management to roll out new or changing programs.
• Support a joined-up case management approach for cross-organisational issues.
• Provide data, analysis and advice to internal and external stakeholders including the executive team and regional offices.
• Contribute to a positive workplace culture by modelling values and behaviours.
• Lead and provide strategic direction to a small team.
• Undertake other duties to support organisational goals.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Organisational awareness

Education

Public sector leadership experience

Job description

About The Victorian School Building Authority

The Victorian School Building Authority (VSBA) is part of the Department of Education and leads the planning, delivery and maintenance of education facilities across both schools and early learning settings. Established in 2016, it oversees one of Victoria's largest building programs, supporting the full education lifecycle from early childhood to secondary school. In response to Victoria's introduction of Two Years of Funded Kindergarten, the VSBA is working closely with the early childhood sector to deliver a significant pipeline of new and expanded kindergarten facilities, often co-located with schools.

The VSBA Delivers Four Key Priorities

• building and expanding schools and early childhood facilities to meet population growth.
• planning, designing and constructing new facilities and upgrading existing ones to meet enrolment demand
• modernising and maintaining school and early learning facilities through coordinated programs, expert advice and grants
• engaging communities to ensure local input, transparency, and strong partnerships in project delivery

About The Division

The Asset Planning and Support Division is responsible for the strategic planning and stewardship of the Department's education asset and infrastructure portfolio. The Division leads long-term asset planning, funding allocation for maintenance and renewal programs, asset information and performance management, and provides the systems, processes and expert advice that enable safe, sustainable and efficient asset management practices and support schools under the shared responsibility model. Working closely with operational and delivery teams, the Division drives evidence-based investment decisions and oversees the delivery of maintenance programs and asset management initiatives that maximise asset performance and value for schools and their communities.

About The Role

The Maintenance Planning Branch supports schools in the effective management of assets under the shared responsibility model. The Branch seeks to ensure that all responsible parties are equipped with the information, tools and capability to effectively manage these assets, and respond to issues and risks impacting schools and early childhood facilities. The Branch applies a business improvement lens in coordinating and analysing cross-divisional issues and facilitating joined-up case management activities. The Branch also seeks to identify, develop and implement new initiatives and reforms to strengthen the asset management system and enable better outcomes for the school and early childhood portfolios.

Key Responsibilities Of This Role Include

• Supporting cross-Divisional activities, including reporting and stakeholder enquiries;
• Facilitating and supporting the strategic implementation of Division programs;
• Analysing and reviewing complex issues and programs to identify solutions to organisational challenges;
• Developing new and updated business processes, communications collateral and other documentation to support the delivery of key programs;
• Planning and implementing effective change management practices to ensure the successful roll-out of new or changing programs;
• Supporting a joined-up case management approach for complex and cross-organisational issues;
• Providing data, analysis and advice to key internal and external stakeholders, including the VSBA's executive team and Regional offices;
• Contributing to a positive workplace culture, including modelling strong values and behaviours;
• Leading and providing strategic direction to a small team in pursuit of the above; and
• Other duties as instructed to support the achievement of organisational goals.

Attributes

The ideal candidate will have strong stakeholder management skills and the ability to work collaboratively with a broad range of people; strong problem solving skills and the ability to identify business improvement opportunities; and excellent organisational awareness and understanding of strategic priorities of the Department.

Desirable Qualifications And Experience

• Desirable: demonstrated experience in a leadership position in the public sector.

Further Information

For more details regarding this position please see attached position description for the capabilities to address in application.

The department values diversity and inclusion in all forms - gender, religion, ethnicity, LGBTIQ+, disability and neurodiversity. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. For more information about our work, working for the Department, diversity and inclusion, and our employment conditions visit the Department website and our Diversity and Inclusion page

Applicants requiring adjustments can contact the nominated contact person.

Information about the Department of Education's operations and employment conditions can be located at www.education.vic.gov.au.

For further information pertaining to the role, please contact Blair Neale – Director, Maintenance Planning Branch via [phone] or [e-mail]

Preferred applicants may be required to complete a police check and may be subject to other pre-employment checks. Information provided to the Department of Education will be treated in the strictest confidence.

Please let us know via phone or email if you require any adjustments to ensure your full participation in the recruitment process or if you need the ad or any attachments in an accessible format (e.g large print) due to any viewing difficulties or other accessibility requirements.

Applications close 11:59pm on 28 October 2026