Project Manager, AI Program

Department of Families, Fairness & Housing; City of Melbourne; Hybrid; AUD 143,000 - 191,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work arrangements

Flexible work options

Professional development opportunities

Inclusive workplace

Job summary

The Department of Families, Fairness and Housing in Victoria seeks an experienced Project Manager to lead the AI Roadmap program within Information Technology Services, guiding delivery from planning through benefits realisation.

Based in Melbourne with hybrid work options, you will work with governance forums, executives and business areas to ensure responsible AI adoption that improves community wellbeing across Victoria.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of IT project or program management experience in large organisations.
• Strong experience in government or public sector environments.
• Proven ability to lead end-to-end project delivery including governance, planning and benefits realisation.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end management of the AI Program Roadmap, including planning, scheduling, governance and delivery coordination.
• Translate AI priorities into practical delivery plans with milestones and dependencies.
• Manage scope, timelines, risks and interdependencies to meet deadlines.
• Engage with technology teams to enable enterprise integration.
• Develop governance materials and provide executive updates.
• Support responsible AI by considering privacy, security, ethics and government requirements.
• Lead procurement, vendor coordination and contract management as needed.
• Plan and implement business readiness and adoption activities for AI initiatives.

Skills

IT project management

Governance & assurance

Stakeholder engagement

Change management

Risk & issue management

Vendor coordination

Procurement

Job description

• 50 Lonsdale St, Melbourne with flexible hybrid arrangements
• Fixed term until 30 June 2027
• Salary Range: VPS6 $142,790 - $191,084 (full-time equivalent per annum) plus superannuation

We are seeking an experienced Project Manager to lead the planning, delivery and implementation of priority initiatives within our AI Roadmap. Reporting to the Manager, Corporate Portfolio within Information Technology Services, you will support the successful transition from program design and early use case development into structured delivery, adoption and business implementation.

This is an exceptional opportunity to drive meaningful change in the Victorian public sector, leading complex project streams including Governance & Assurance, Value, Risk & Adoption, People, Capability & Change, and Technology & Data. You will work closely with business areas, technology teams, governance forums and executive stakeholders to support practical, responsible and sustainable adoption of AI-enabled capabilities that directly impact community wellbeing across Victoria.

About the Department

The Department of Families, Fairness and Housing is dedicated to community wellbeing and social recovery across Victoria. We work to create equal opportunities for all Victorians to live safe, respected and valued lives, leading policies and services that empower communities to build a fairer and safer Victoria. Our work spans Child Protection, Family Safety Victoria, Homes Victoria, Housing, Disability, Seniors and Carers, as well as LGBTIQA+ Equality, Veterans, and the offices of Women and Youth.

Information Technology Services provides expert strategic advice on ICT investments and delivers outcomes that enable the department to achieve its strategic vision and reform agenda. We engage with stakeholders to guide and support the selection, development and delivery of innovative ICT solutions that benefit our staff, clients and citizens.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end management of the AI Program Roadmap, including project planning, scheduling, risk management, reporting, governance and delivery coordination
• Translate strategic AI program priorities into practical delivery plans, milestones, dependencies and implementation activities
• Manage scope, timelines, risks, issues and interdependencies to support delivery of program outcomes by agreed deadlines
• Engage with technology teams to support integration or enablement within enterprise environments
• Monitor and report on project progress, delivery performance, benefits realisation and emerging issues
• Consult with internal and external stakeholders to define project objectives, outcomes and success criteria
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with cross-functional teams, vendors, contractors and senior decision-makers
• Establish and maintain effective project governance, including preparation of briefs, status reports, decision papers, steering materials and executive updates
• Support responsible AI implementation by ensuring consideration of privacy, security, ethics, human rights, accessibility, records management and relevant government requirements
• Identify, manage and mitigate risks and issues that may impact project delivery, escalating appropriately to governance forums
• Contribute to and lead procurement, vendor coordination and contract management activities where relevant to project delivery
• Support the design and implementation of business readiness, stakeholder engagement and adoption activities for AI-related initiatives
• Work with business areas to identify operational impacts, benefits, service implications and opportunities for continuous improvement

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Demonstrated experience of 7 or more years in IT project and/or program management, including leading complex technology initiatives in large organisations
• Strong Victorian Government experience, preferably in Department of Families, Fairness & Housing and/or Department of Health
• Proven ability to lead end-to-end project and program delivery, including business case development, planning, scheduling, resource coordination, governance, risk and issue management, dependency management, reporting and benefits realisation
• Demonstrated capacity to deliver outcomes in complex, fast-paced and highly governed environments with multiple stakeholders
• Proven experience leading change management activities associated with the implementation of new systems, digital capabilities and ways of working within complex, multi-stakeholder environments
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with demonstrated ability to prepare high-quality reports, briefings and presentations for diverse audiences including senior executives
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with ability to navigate ambiguity and drive practical solutions
• Demonstrated commitment to maintaining accurate records in accordance with legislative requirements and departmental policies
• Commitment to health and safety in the workplace in accordance with legislative requirements and OHS policies and procedures

Highly Desirable

• Experience supporting or delivering AI-related initiatives, digital innovation, or emerging technology implementation
• Experience delivering complex digital or transformation initiatives in government settings
• Understanding of responsible AI principles, including privacy, security, ethics and governance considerations

What We Offer

We are building an inclusive workplace that embraces diversity and difference. All jobs can be worked flexibly, with hybrid work arrangements available. This role offers the opportunity to develop your expertise in emerging technologies while contributing to meaningful outcomes for Victorian communities. You will work alongside dedicated professionals committed to innovation and social impact, with access to professional development opportunities in a supportive, collaborative environment.

Work Location and Arrangements

This position is based at 50 Lonsdale St, Melbourne with flexible hybrid work options. The role is a fixed-term position until 30 June 2027.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We actively encourage job applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people living with disability, LGBTIQA+ individuals, veterans and people from varied cultural backgrounds.