Senior Project Officer

Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 116,000 - 141,000; Full time

Job summary

The Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions in Melbourne seeks a Senior Project Officer to drive delivery of complex projects within the TAFE Strategy, Systems and Tertiary Governance Branch. You will manage milestones, risks and stakeholder engagement to ensure outcomes on time and within budget.

Responsibilities include developing project briefs, analysing complex issues, coordinating cross‑functional teams and negotiating timelines with stakeholders.

Qualifications

• You will bring strong stakeholder engagement skills, identifying shared issues and using them to build mutually beneficial partnerships.
• You will also have demonstrated project delivery capability, translating strategies into programs or projects that achieve required outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Develop project briefs consistent with business plan direction.
• Develop briefs on highly complex issues that provide options for discussion and consideration and contribute to the development of final options for decision.
• Provide leadership in the adaptation and application of concepts to operational matters within the local work area.
• Manage cross-functional delivery within a defined service.
• Negotiate with stakeholders and peers to gain cooperation and meet timelines for delivery of projects, services or advice.

Skills

Stakeholder engagement

Project delivery

Strategic thinking

Communication

Job description

Senior Project Officer Salary: $116,413 - $140,849 plus superannuation Work Type: Fixed term until 31 December 2028 Usual hours of work: Full Time (flexibility may be available) Usual work location: 121 Exhibition Street, Melbourne (flexibility may be available)

The Role

The Senior Project Officer plays a critical role in driving the successful delivery of complex projects, products and initiatives within the TAFE Strategy, Systems and Tertiary Governance Branch. You will ensure key project milestones are achieved on time, within scope and on budget while effectively managing risks and dependencies. You will provide high‑level analysis, advice and support to inform project delivery and decision‑making, prepare project plans, reports and briefs, and engage with internal and external stakeholders to build strong, collaborative partnerships. The role will contribute to new and existing TAFE network initiatives, including projects relating to courseware, VET workforce development, AI‑assisted RPL and the National TAFE Network. The ideal candidate will bring proven experience managing complex projects, strong organisational skills, a strategic mindset and excellent communication and stakeholder engagement capabilities. Knowledge of Victoria's TAFE network, experience driving change in complex systems and/or designing and implementing reform initiatives will be highly regarded.

Main accountabilities

• Develop project briefs consistent with business plan direction.
• Develop briefs on highly complex issues that provide options for discussion and consideration and contribute to the development of final options for decision.
• Provide leadership in the adaptation and application of concepts to operational matters within the local work area.
• Manage cross‑functional delivery within a defined service.
• Negotiate with stakeholders and peers to gain cooperation and meet timelines for delivery of projects, services or advice.

The Team

The position of Senior Project Officer forms a part of the TAFE Strategy, Systems and Tertiary Governance Branch within Skills and TAFE. Skills and TAFE focuses on enabling Victorians to access the knowledge, skills and attributes they need to participate in today's workforce, prepare for future jobs and achieve their educational aspirations. Working in close partnership with the Victorian Skills Authority, Skills and TAFE provides leadership and stewardship of a responsive, high‑quality vocational education and training system, including oversight of the Victorian TAFE Network. The Office of TAFE Coordination and Delivery plays a system leadership and management role for the Victorian TAFE Network and is responsible for driving change in how the network responds to government priorities and provides training as a coordinated network.

About You

You will bring strong stakeholder engagement skills, identifying shared issues and using them to build mutually beneficial partnerships. You will also have demonstrated project delivery capability, translating strategies into programs or projects that achieve required outcomes.

Further Information

For a confidential discussion, please contact Elspeth Roszkowski, Manager, Strategy team, at [e-mail]

The Department is committed to creating and maintaining a child safe organisation. We have zero tolerance of child abuse and are committed to taking the necessary steps to protect children from harm by adopting a preventative, proactive and participatory approach to child safety in accordance with the Child Safe Standards.

Successful candidates will be required to undertake a National Police Records Check prior to commencing employment with the Department.

We are committed to inclusive recruitment.

If you require an adjustment to participate in any stage of the recruitment process or have a particular requirement to be communicated with by either telephone or email only, please notify the DJSIR Talent Acquisition Team on 0472 875 685, or via email at [e-mail] with the position number in the subject line.