Senior Program Advisor

Department of Education; City of Melbourne; On-site; AUD 110,000 - 155,000; Full time

Job summary

The Department of Education in Victoria seeks a Senior Program Advisor to help oversee a portfolio of capital works projects. You will provide high-quality reporting, analysis and coordination to support governance, decision-making and delivery outcomes.

Responsibilities include dashboards, risk tracking, forecasting, tendering analyses and collaboration with multidisciplinary teams to improve data quality and portfolio visibility.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience in project, portfolio or performance reporting roles in a complex environment.
• Experience in capital works, infrastructure, construction or related delivery environment is highly desirable.
• Experience in reporting, data analysis, forecasting and coordination activities is required.
• Experience preparing tendering analysis, governance papers, briefs and performance reports is desirable.
• Proficiency with Excel is required; Power BI or similar tools is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and deliver portfolio-wide reporting for capital works projects, including progress, risks, budgets and KPIs
• Analyse project and portfolio performance information and prepare reports, dashboards and insights for decision-making
• Monitor KPIs and identify risks, issues and delivery trends across the portfolio
• Support forecasting activities and provide analysis for planning and sequencing
• Prepare tendering analyses and related reporting for procurement planning
• Lead portfolio functions with timely information flow and stakeholder responsiveness
• Support governance and committee papers preparation
• Improve data quality, reporting consistency and portfolio visibility with project teams
• Identify improvements to portfolio systems, tools and templates

Skills

Portfolio coordination

Reporting

Data analysis

Stakeholder management

Power BI

Excel

Governance papers

Tendering analysis

Forecasting

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Tertiary qualification in project management, business, commerce, construction management, engineering, finance or related field

Tools

Power BI

Excel

Job description

Employment type: Full time, Fixed term (Until 30 June 2029)

About The Role

This is an exciting opportunity to help deliver infrastructure that enables better learning environments for Victorian students while contributing to one of the State's largest infrastructure programs. The Senior Program Advisor, Project Delivery Office, supports the effective oversight of a portfolio of capital works projects through high-quality reporting, analysis and coordination. The role provides timely insights on project performance, supports governance and decision-making processes, and works closely with stakeholders to strengthen data quality, portfolio visibility and delivery outcomes. All VSBA staff have a shared responsibility to meet the same service standards outlined in the VSBA Customer Service Charter.

Key Accountabilities

• Coordinate and deliver portfolio-wide reporting for capital works projects, including progress, risks, issues, budgets, milestones and performance indicators
• Analyse project and portfolio performance information and prepare clear, accurate and timely reports, dashboards and insights to support decision-making
• Monitor key performance indicators and identify emerging trends, risks and delivery issues across the portfolio
• Support forecasting activities and provide analysis to inform planning, delivery sequencing and portfolio oversight
• Prepare tendering analysis and related reporting to support procurement planning and decision-making
• Lead key day-to-day portfolio functions that support wider delivery teams, ensuring effective coordination, responsiveness and timely flow of information
• Support governance and decision-making processes through the preparation of high-quality briefs, presentations and committee papers
• Work collaboratively with project teams and stakeholders to improve data quality, reporting consistency and portfolio visibility
• Identify and implement improvements to portfolio systems, reporting tools, templates and administrative processes to enhance efficiency, accuracy and support effective delivery outcomes
• Contribute to planning, pipeline management and prioritisation activities

Key Capabilities

• Demonstrated experience in portfolio coordination, performance reporting or project analysis, preferably in a capital works, infrastructure or government environment
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret data and translate findings into practical advice
• Highly developed written communication skills, including experience preparing reports, dashboards, briefs and presentations for a range of audiences
• Proven ability to manage competing priorities, maintain accuracy and deliver high-quality work within tight timeframes
• Strong stakeholder management and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively across multidisciplinary teams
• Experience using data and reporting tools such as Excel, Power BI or similar systems
• A strong focus on continuous improvement, data integrity and effective portfolio management practices

Qualifications and Experience

• Demonstrated experience in project, portfolio or performance reporting roles in a complex environment is required.
• Experience in capital works, infrastructure, construction or a related delivery environment is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated experience in reporting, data analysis, forecasting and coordination activities is required.
• Experience preparing tendering analysis, governance papers, briefs and performance reports is desirable.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel is required, and experience with Power BI or similar reporting tools is desirable.
• A relevant tertiary qualification in project management, business, commerce, construction management, engineering, finance or a related field is desirable, or equivalent experience in a similar role.

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.

About The Victorian School Building Authority

The Victorian School Building Authority (VSBA) is part of the Department of Education. Established in 2016, it oversees Victoria's largest school building program since the state introduced free public education in the 1870s. The VSBA upgrades and expands existing schools and plans, designs and builds new schools to meet enrolment demand. We also support schools to maintain their buildings and grounds by offering expert advice and coordinating maintenance programs and grants. With Victoria recently introducing two years of funded kindergarten, the VSBA is also working with the early childhood sector on a massive kindergarten construction program.

About The Division

The Project Delivery Division is responsible for delivering one of Victoria's largest school infrastructure programs, creating great learning environments that support better outcomes for students, teachers and communities. Our teams deliver upgraded schools, early childhood infrastructure and a range of capital improvement programs across the State. Working in partnerships with schools, contractors, consultants and government stakeholders, we manage projects through every stage of the project life-cycle- from planning and design through to construction and completion. We are committed to delivering projects safely, efficiently and transparently while continually improving the way we work. Our focus is on proactive project management, strong governance, great communication and collaborative relationships that built confidence with our stakeholders, As part of our team you will contribute to a division that values accountability, continuous improvement, team work and delivering outcomes that lake a lasting difference for Victorian communities.

Further Information

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 Jacqui McCloy, Manager, Project Delivery Office via [phone] or [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, 05 October 2026.