SM1 Senior Manager, Policy & Research

Department for Education, South Australia; Adelaide; On-site; AUD 130,000 - 159,000; Full time

Job summary

The Department for Education, South Australia is seeking a Senior Manager, Policy and Research to lead a policy and research team and drive evidence-based improvement across the division.

You will shape divisional policy, provide briefing support, and lead evaluation of division-wide projects and programs, delivering data-driven insights to inform executive decisions.

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualification in business, government, project management, public policy, law or equivalent; postgraduate qualifications are valued.
• Previous experience in an education setting.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a policy and research team.
• Develop divisional policy and provide briefing support.
• Lead research and evaluation of division-wide projects.
• Oversee annual policy review framework.
• Ensure policies stay contemporary and compliant.
• Provide data analysis and executive-level guidance.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Policy development

Data analysis

Evidence-informed practice

Communication with stakeholders

Education

Tertiary qualification in business, government, project management, public policy, law or equivalent

Postgraduate research training or evaluation qualifications

Job description

Why work with us

Every child and young person deserves a great education.

Department for Education

Job reference: 858163

Location: 5007 - HINDMARSH

Job status: Ongoing

Eligibility: Open to Everyone

Every child and young person deserves a great education.

We have a strategy that aims to unlock every child’s potential now and into the future, one that in partnership with learners, students, parents and the wider South Australian community will build a world-leading public education system. One that is equitable and prioritises learning and wellbeing.

Together we will make our education system the best it can be.

When our children and young people thrive, so do our communities and our state.

About The Role

The Curriculum Strategy and Planning directorate is responsible for division-wide performance monitoring, strategic planning and advice. It oversees project management, research, data management and evaluations, and coordinates policies and briefings across the division in consultation with subject matter experts.

The Senior Manager, Policy and Research lead and manages a team of policy and research officers that are responsible for developing divisional policy, providing a briefing unit for the division and leading research and evaluation of division-wide projects and programs. The role is responsible for providing strategic leadership and oversight across divisional teams to coordinate and maintain the annual policy review framework, ensuring policies remain contemporary, aligned to legislative and departmental requirements, and responsive to divisional priorities and emerging operational needs.

The role leads the development, implementation and continuous refinement of the directorate’s evaluation and performance frameworks, driving evidence-informed practice, accountability and continuous improvement. In addition, the role provides high-level data analysis, strategic insights and authoritative advice to inform executive decision-making, organisational planning, risk management and service improvement initiatives across the division.

Qualifications

• A tertiary qualification in business, government, project management, public policy, law or other relevant field or equivalent extensive experience. Postgraduate research training or evaluation qualifications would be highly regarded.
• Previous experience in an education setting.

Special conditions

The successful applicant is required to gain a Department for Human Services (DHS) working with children check (WWCC) prior to being employed which is required to be renewed every five years before expiry.

The incumbent will be required to undertake RRHAN –EC (Responding to Risks of Harm, Abuse and Neglect - Education Care) Facilitator Lead (Masterclass) extended course or the online (Fundamentals) course which will be required to be updated every three years.

For all other Special Conditions please refer to the attached Position Description.

Remuneration

SM1 $144,421 per annum (1.0 FTE) + superannuation (12%)

Enquiries

Enquiries can be directed to Rebecca Tooher, Director, Curriculum Strategy and Planning, via tel: [phone] or email: [email protected]

Additional Note

This is a full-time (1.0 FTE) ongoing role.

Applications close: 04/10/2026 11:30 AM

Attachments

• Application Cover Sheet - PSAct.pdf
• How to Apply PS Act guidelines.pdf
• SM1- Senior Manager Policy and Research - Position Description.pdf
• VL233 Pre-employment declaration.pdf

People of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent and/or those who have a disability are strongly encouraged to apply.

Flexibility Statement

The South Australian public sector promotes diversity and flexible ways of working including part-time. Applicants are encouraged to discuss the flexible working arrangements for this role.