Senior Project Officer - Stakeholder Engagement

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

Job summary

The Department of Education seeks a Senior Project Officer, Stakeholder Engagement, to lead development and delivery of stakeholder engagement strategies across the Academy. You will work with executive and priority stakeholders in a fast-moving CEO office, delivering coordinated engagement activities and high-quality communications.

This fixed-term full-time role runs 01 January 2027 to 31 December 2027, with responsibilities spanning strategy development, advisory support, and

Qualifications

• 5+ years stakeholder engagement experience essential.
• Relevant qualification in stakeholder engagement and/or communications desirable.
• Experience engaging senior executives and priority stakeholders.
• Ability to influence and advise at executive level.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and coordination of stakeholder engagement strategies and assets.
• Provide high-quality advice to internal/external stakeholders to support engagement functions.
• Ensure alignment and consistency of engagement activities across the Academy.
• Develop engaging materials and communications; identify opportunities to strengthen relationships.

Skills

Stakeholder engagement

Project coordination

Influencing/advisory

Relationship management

Written & verbal communication

Education

Stakeholder engagement/communications qualification

Job description

About the roleThe Senior Project Officer leads the development, coordination and delivery of stakeholder engagement strategies and assets across the Academy, with a strong focus on executive and priority stakeholders. This role recognises the fast-moving nature of a CEO's office and is adaptable to shifting priorities to ensure consistent, aligned and effective engagement.This is a fixed term full-time opportunity to start on 01 January 2027 until 31 December 2027.The responsibilities of the Senior Project Officer, Stakeholder Engagement include:leading the development and coordination of the Academy's internal and external stakeholder engagement strategies, plans, projects and activitiesproviding high-quality advice to internal and external stakeholders to support and enable the stakeholder engagement functionensuring alignment and consistency of engagement activities across the Academydeveloping high-quality engagement materials and communicationsidentifying opportunities to strengthen relationships and improve engagement approaches and practices.CapabilitiesDemonstrated experience leading stakeholder engagement or complex project and coordination activitiesCapable of solving problems and removing barriers to successDemonstrates flexibility and adaptability in delivery of projects and stakeholder engagement activitiesHighly developed influencing and advisory capabilityAbility to build trusted relationships with senior executives and stakeholdersStrong organisational skills and ability to manage competing prioritiesStrong understanding of the need to ensure all activities uphold and build the Academy's reputation across the education sectorStrong written and verbal communication skills and ability to apply this across multiple platforms and for various audiences.Qualifications and experience5+ years stakeholder engagement experience is essentialA relevant qualification in stakeholder engagement and / or communications is desirable.About the divisionThe Chief Executive Officer (CEO) reports to the Academy Board and the Department of Education Secretary, leading the Academy to achieve its objectives, functions and related outputs.The CEO specifically has responsibility for professional learning, including the Teaching and Leadership Excellence Division, Regional Division and the Professional Learning Consultant. The Chief Operating Officer (COO) has responsibility for legal support, priority IT initiatives and the Business Services Division and Academy Services Division.The Office of the Chief Executive Officer (OCEO) provides strategic advice and Board secretariat services, as well as coordinating the Academy's Executive Leadership Team (ELT), supporting teams across all divisions.The OCEO is responsible for the oversight and coordination of the Academy's external and internal stakeholder relationships. This includes managing structured engagement with the Minister's and Secretary's offices, the Academy Board, key education sector organisations and associations and Department of Education stakeholders, ensuring effective coordination of related activities.The OCEO works in close collaboration with the Academy's Strategic Engagement team on shared priorities, including, but not limited to, initiatives to raise public awareness of the status of the profession and the continued focus on the Academy's engagement with the Catholic and independent sectors.The OCEO also provides strategic coordination and oversight of the Academy's professional learning strategy and portfolio, supporting system needs and leading the design and delivery of high-quality professional learning products tailored for diverse audiences across all school sectors.Are you passionate about leading stakeholder engagement and working closely with leaders to drive alignment and outcomes?The Academy's mission is to enhance and improve student outcomes across rural, regional and metropolitan schools through specialised professional learning and pathways, and to raise public awareness of the profession. Information on our legislated objectives is available on our website: Our strategy and story | AcademyAt the Academy, we are passionate about meaningful and exciting work that has an impact on education and student outcomes. Our shared purpose is to create and offer evidence-informed professional learning programs, events and initiatives designed to take Victoria's highly skilled teachers and school leaders from great to exceptional and advance the quality and status of teaching and school leadership. We also provide pathways for school and system improvement and raise public awareness of and confidence in the profession across government, Catholic and independent systems.We care about the quality of our work, demonstrate collective responsibility for continuous improvement and support each other to do the very best we can every day to achieve our goals.The Academy is a learning organisation that provides opportunities for employees to grow. We have a positive culture that we are building together, where people feel supported, valued and heard.About the DepartmentThe 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.Further InformationPlease respond by submitting a cover letter, supported by a maximum 2-page response to the key selection criteria and a recent CV/Resume in the CareersVic portal.For more details regarding this position please see attached position description.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 pageApplicants 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 Madi Jacobs - Strategic Advisor, Office of the CEO via [e-mail] or 0423 097 061Please 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 14 November 2026.