Senior Communications and Engagement Advisor

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

Job summary

Department of Education in Melbourne, Victoria is seeking a Senior Communications and Engagement Advisor to drive communications and resources for major projects in a fast-paced early childhood environment.

The role provides expert advice, develops clear messaging for services, providers, families and internal stakeholders, and coordinates across program and policy teams to support reform implementation. This fixed-term, full-time position runs until 30 June 2029.

Qualifications

• A suitable tertiary qualification in a related field
• A valid Working with Children Check for paid employment purpose

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and implementation of communications and resources for key projects.
• Provide expert communication advice and targeted messaging for diverse audiences.
• Manage stakeholder engagement and support issues management in a high-visibility policy space.
• Collaborate with program and policy teams to align communications with departmental priorities.

Job description

Senior Communications and Engagement Advisor

Lead the development and implementation of communications and resources to support key projects and initiatives within a fast-paced early childhood operational environment.

About the Role

The Senior Communication and Engagement Advisor leads the development and implementation of communications and resources to support key projects and initiatives within a fast-paced early childhood operational environment. The role provides expert communication advice and develops clear, targeted messaging for diverse audiences including services, providers, families, and internal stakeholders. Working closely with program and policy teams, the advisor ensures that communication activities align with departmental priorities and help drive successful reform implementation. This position is also responsible for developing a range of communication materials, managing stakeholder engagement, and supporting issues management in a dynamic and highly visible policy space.

This is a Fixed term full-time opportunity until 30 June 2029.

Attributes

• Do you enjoy crafting clear, targeted messages that help diverse audiences understand complex reforms and policies?
• Are you someone who can anticipate stakeholder needs, identify risks, and shape communication strategies that support change and build trust?
• Do you have strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work collaboratively across teams to deliver consistent and effective messaging?
• Do you take ownership of your work, managing competing priorities in a fast-paced environment while delivering high-quality communication outputs?
• Do you bring political and organisational awareness, with the ability to navigate sensitivities and provide sound communication advice to senior leaders?

Desirable Qualifications and Experience

A suitable tertiary qualification in a related field

A valid Working with Children Check for paid employment purpose

About the Division

The Early Learning Operations and Monitoring (ELOM) Division leads core funding, policy, operational and monitoring functions for funded three and four-year-old kindergarten in Victoria.

The Division consists of two branches:

• Early Learning Funding and Operations Branch
• Sector Monitoring and Support Branch

Key responsibilities of the Early Learning Funding and Operations Branch include:

• kindergarten organisational and program requirements as set out in the Kindergarten Funding Guide
• setting funding rates and eligibility for all kindergarten setting types and subsidies
• strategic funding and operational projects, including supporting Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations and the Preschool Reform Agreement
• Free Kinder
• kindergarten data collection, monitoring and reporting.

Key responsibilities of the Early Learning Sector Monitoring and Support Branch include:

• kindergarten contract management policy and oversight
• leading financial assessment and monitoring of funded kindergarten providers, including the kindergarten Audit and Assurance Program
• centrally managed and procured kindergarten supports, including kindergarten payroll and IT and engagement of Early Learning Association Australia
• supports and resources for committee of management operated kindergarten services
• supporting the implementation of attendance data collection through the Arrival funding system.

ELOM Division works closely with other divisions across ECE, other central divisions including Performance and Evaluation Division, and early childhood staff in Regions and Areas. ELOM Division plays a key role in providing input and expertise into the planning and implementation of Best Start, Best Life reform activities as well as providing advice and support to Early Childhood Im plementation Branches.

ELOM Division also works in consultation with key sector peak bodies and stakeholders.

About the Department

The department provides a wide range of learning and development support and services.

The department provides policy leadership, plans for the future of education in Victoria and leads key cross-sector collaboration. The department plays an important system steward role by providing support, guidance, oversight and assurance across early childhood and school education systems, as well as directly providing school education and 50 new early learning centres.

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.

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 Courtney Grace, Manager, Early Learning Operations at **************@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 Sunday, 1 November 2026.