Senior Adviser

Department of Education Victoria; City of Melbourne; On-site; AUD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Department of Education Victoria in Melbourne is seeking a Senior Adviser in Assessment Development to translate strategic priorities into impactful initiatives and outcomes. You will develop clear analyses, briefs and recommendations while guiding strategic projects and changes across the assessment division.

You will build relationships with leaders, stakeholders and external partners and communicate effectively with senior audiences to drive decisions and progress.

Qualifications

• Essential: a relevant tertiary qualification and demonstrated experience providing strategic advice and analysis on complex issues.
• Desirable: experience in education.

Responsibilities

• Translate strategic priorities into actionable initiatives and outcomes.
• Develop high-quality analysis, options, briefs, and recommendations.
• Lead strategic projects and change initiatives and coordinate with the branch leadership team.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Stakeholder management

Written communication

Change management

Project leadership

Education

Tertiary qualification

Strategic advisory experience

Job description

Department of Education Victoria – Melbourne VIC

Assessment Division is responsible for the end-to-end development, delivery, and reporting of F-10, VCE examinations, the General Achievement Test (GAT) and NAPLAN. This includes the full assessment lifecycle: development of frameworks and blueprints, panel appointments, content development, editorial and design services, logistics, administration, marking, data processing, and reporting of outcomes.

Assessment Development Branch is responsible for the development of all external assessments. This includes VCE written examinations, the General Achievement Test (GAT) and the development of assessment materials for VCE performance examinations. The branch comprises five units:

• Editorial and Design Unit
• Languages Assessment Unit
• STEM Assessment Unit
• English, Humanities, Capabilities and Arts Assessment Unit
• Standards Assessment Unit

Role Purpose

The Senior Adviser provides strategic advice and delivery support to the Director, Assessment Development by translating strategic priorities and emerging issues into actionable initiatives and outcomes. They develop high-quality analysis, options, briefs, and recommendations; lead strategic projects and change initiatives; and work with the branch leadership team to translate strategic direction into clear accountabilities and deliveries.

About You

• You are a strategic thinker who can turn complex ideas into practical action. You bring sound judgement and curiosity and are confident challenging current thinking – particularly once you have paused to understand the context and underpinning assumptions. You are proactive, comfortable with ambiguity and able to bring structure and momentum to complex work while adapting as circumstances evolve.
• You build strong relationships across teams, divisions and with external stakeholders, understanding different perspectives and what is needed to achieve outcomes.
• You are highly capable in written communication and can develop clear, compelling advice for senior audiences.

Qualifications and Experience

Essential: a relevant tertiary qualification and demonstrated experience providing strategic advice and analysis on complex issues.

Desirable: experience in education.

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 Kate Brady, Director, Assessment Development. **********@education.vic.gov.au.

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 02-Oct-2026