Program Support and Government Relations Officer

VLGA INC; City of Melbourne; On-site; AUD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA) is seeking an organised, proactive and highly collaborative Program Support and Government Relations Officer to help coordinate professional development, coaching and mentoring programs for Councillors and Council staff in Victoria.

Reporting to the Head of Programs and Policy, you will manage administration, program delivery, and liaison with facilitators, councils and external partners to ensure high standards and timely outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Act as the primary contact for the Faculty of Facilitators, Coaches and Mentors including assigning facilitators to training sessions, preparing and distributing briefing packs, coordinating the development of course content and collateral, undertaking evaluation of professional development modules, responding to general queries, and onboarding new facilitators
• Work with councils and Facilitators, Coaches and Mentors to support professional development training programs including pre-delivery council briefings, briefing pack preparation, run sheets and timetables, post-delivery evaluation and debrief
• Assist with development of quotations and pricing and manage reconciliation and processing of invoices associated with program delivery
• Build trusted relationships across the local government sector in Australia and with external stakeholders including members, facilitators, consultants, partners and suppliers
• Identify opportunities to engage with new councils and potential training modules VLGA could provide
• Contribute to identifying prospective members of the Faculty of Facilitators, Coaches and Mentors
• Assist the Head of Programs and Policy in planning and promoting the annual Programs Calendar and the Mayoral Leadership Program
• Support the Executive Leadership Team in planning and developing a national prospectus for Councillor capability development programs across Australia
• Manage training program enquiries and bookings including initial responses, quotations, scheduling, venues and catering, and maintaining the booking system
• Create and maintain templates for efficient development and delivery of program content

Job description

Program Support and Government Relations Officer

The Victorian Local Governance Association is seeking an organised, proactive and highly collaborative Program Support and Government Relations Officer to play a key role in coordinating and supporting the delivery of professional development, coaching and mentoring programs for Councillors and Council staff.

Reporting to the Head of Programs and Policy, you will be responsible for coordinating the administration and delivery of a diverse range of leadership, governance and capability-building programs.

As the primary point of contact for our Faculty of Facilitators, Coaches and Mentors, you will work closely with councils, consultants and internal stakeholders to ensure programs are delivered seamlessly and to a high standard.

This is a unique career opportunity for someone who enjoys building relationships, managing multiple priorities and contributing to meaningful outcomes that strengthen local government leadership and governance.

About the role

The Program Support and Government Relations Officer plays a leading role in administrating and facilitating the coordination of professional development, coaching and mentoring needs of local councils. They support the delivery of programs and learning opportunities for Councillors and Council staff to VLGA members and more broadly across the local government sector. The incumbent actively coordinates responses to council requests for support, engaging with Facilitators, Coaches, Mentors and council staff. The Program Support and Government Relations Officer also plays a part in supporting the development and roll out of a national council support strategy. This role also includes supporting the review of Faculty of Facilitator members and onboarding, inductions and support.

Key responsibilities

Act as the primary contact for the Faculty of Facilitators, Coaches and Mentors including assigning facilitators to training sessions, preparing and distributing briefing packs, coordinating the development of course content and collateral, undertaking evaluation of professional development modules, responding to general queries, and onboarding new facilitators

Work in collaboration with councils and Facilitators, Coaches and Mentors to support the seamless provision of professional development training programs including participating in pre-delivery council briefings, assisting with briefing pack preparation, preparing run sheets and timetables, and assisting with post-delivery evaluation and debrief

Assist with the development of quotations and pricing and manage the reconciliation and processing of invoices associated with program delivery

Build trusted relationships across the local government sector around Australia and with key external stakeholders including existing, past and prospective members, facilitators, consultants, partners and suppliers

Actively identify opportunities to engage with new councils and stay attentive to potential training modules that the VLGA could provide

Contribute to the identification of prospective members of the Faculty of Facilitators, Coaches and Mentors

Assist the Head of Programs and Policy plan and promote the annual Programs Calendar and contribute to the planning and delivery of the annual Mayoral Leadership Program

Support the Executive Leadership Team in planning and developing a national prospectus for Councillor capability development programs across Australia

Manage all training program enquiries and bookings including preparing initial responses to council requests, assisting with program development and quotations, coordinating and booking equipment, venues and catering, and managing the booking system and training schedule

Create and maintain a range of templates to ensure efficient, compliant and consistent development and delivery of program content

About you

Minimum of five (5) years' experience in a complex administrative role

Highly developed administration skills, preferably in a council environment, with a desire to take the initiative and get things done

Strong eye for detail, with a member and partner service orientation and proven ability to meet deadlines and manage conflicting priorities

Ability to support the development and delivery of contemporary professional development programs through effective and efficient project management, coordination, and administration

Highly developed interpersonal skills with a demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with all internal and external stakeholders

High level written and verbal skills including the capacity to listen, present confidently and accurately, build trust, influence and exercise sound judgement, discretion, and confidentiality

Demonstrated experience establishing strong networks and partnerships to ensure effective and efficient contact throughout Victorian Local Government

Previous local government experience is essential, particularly an understanding of governance and the roles and responsibilities of Councillors and council officers

Certificates or qualifications in governance or learning and development related fields are beneficial

About us

The Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA) supports councils and elected representatives (Councillors) to deliver positive outcomes for their local communities through high-performance leadership and effective governance. We are member-run and non-partisan. We offer direct support, training, professional development, events, networks and resources to members and carry out research, policy analysis and advocacy on behalf of local councils. We are the leading voice for local councils and offer our members the opportunity to realise their true leadership potential and increase their impact.

Applications close on Tuesday, 29 September 2026 at 5pm.