Program Manager (Next Generation New Schools Commercial Lead)

Department of Education; City of Melbourne; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Department of Education’s Victorian School Building Authority seeks a Program Manager (NGNS Commercial Lead) to oversee the legal, commercial, financial and contractual dimensions of the NGNS Project. You will report to the NGNS Executive Lead and direct multi-disciplinary teams in delivering nine new schools.

This fixed-term full-time role runs until 30 June 2029, with responsibilities spanning partnerships Victoria framework procurement, high-value negotiations, and executive stakeholder

Qualifications

• Experience delivering major social infrastructure procurements via Partnerships Victoria Framework or major DBFM contracts.
• Experience managing high-value contractual negotiations and governance/risk processes.
• Proven ability to engage executive stakeholders and lead multi-disciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Manage and integrate the legal, commercial, financial and contractual aspects of the NGNS Project.
• Provide senior program leadership across planning, procurement, construction and delivery of nine new schools.
• Lead governance, risk management and stakeholder engagement to ensure project outcomes.

Skills

Commercial leadership

Procurement

Contract negotiations

Stakeholder engagement

Governance & risk

Job description

About The Department

The Department of Education (the Department) leads the delivery of education and development services to children and students both directly through government schools and indirectly through the regulation and funding of early childhood services and non-government schools.

About The Division

The Victorian School Building Authority (VSBA) is a division of the Department of Education responsible for delivering the Victorian Government's significant investment in school and early childhood infrastructure. It oversees the planning, procurement, construction, and maintenance of facilities across the state, supporting the Government's commitment to the Education State. Working closely with industry, schools, and stakeholders, the VSBA delivers major capital programs and innovative infrastructure solutions to meet the needs of growing communities.

About The Role

This is a fixed term full time position until 30 June 2029. Reporting to the Next Generation New Schools (NGNS) Executive Lead, the Program Manager (NGNS Commercial Lead) is a senior project leadership role responsible for managing and integrating the legal, commercial, financial and contractual aspects of the Next Generation New Schools (NGNS) Project.

The NGNS Project will involve the construction of nine new schools delivered under the Government's Partnerships Victoria framework.

Key Attributes

• Be a strategic and commercially astute infrastructure leader with extensive experience delivering major social infrastructure procurements via the Partnerships Victoria Framework or major DBFM contracts;
• Have experience managing high-value contractual negotiations, leading governance and risk management processes, and driving successful program outcomes through executive stakeholder engagement and the leadership of multi-disciplinary teams.

All VSBA staff have a shared responsibility to meet the same service standards outlined in the VSBA Customer Service Charter. Our goal is to make every interaction with the VSBA a positive one for our customers, colleagues and key partners regardless of our individual role or team.

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 Dimitar Petreski via email ([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 Monday 12 October 2026.