Strategic Program Lead

Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action; Melbourne; Hybrid; AUD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action seeks a Strategic Program Lead in Victoria to drive road management planning, compliance and coordination. The role provides specialist leadership and expert advice to ensure the department effectively acquits its statutory obligations as a road manager.

The successful candidate will bring deep expertise in road management legislation, regulatory frameworks and policies, embedding compliant, best-practice road management across the

Qualifications

• A degree or diploma in civil engineering or a related field are highly desirable, with extensive experience in managing road infrastructure projects, including construction, maintenance, and capital works.
• Experience in road management, with proficiency in understanding and ensuring adherence to statutory requirements.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to ensure regulatory, safety, and environmental compliance while promoting an inclusive and culturally safe environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead road management planning, compliance and coordination activities.
• Provide authoritative advice on road management matters, manage risk and compliance, and support sound decision making.
• Engage with internal stakeholders, delivery partners and external authorities to ensure road management requirements are understood and implemented.

Skills

Civil engineering background

Road management

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor's degree or diploma in civil engineering

Job description

The Strategic Program Lead is a key position in the Major Capital Works and State Roading unit. This role provides specialist leadership and expert advice to ensure the Department effectively acquits its statutory obligations as a road manager by leading road management planning, compliance and coordination activities.

The role has deep expertise in road management legislation, regulatory frameworks and associated policies, and plays a critical role in embedding compliant, consistent and best practice road management across the Department’s road network.

The position works across capital projects, operations and policy interfaces to provide authoritative advice on complex road management matters, manage risk and compliance, and support sound decision making. Through close engagement with internal stakeholders, delivery partners and external authorities, the role ensures road management requirements are clearly understood, appropriately implemented and continuously improved.

Specialist/Technical Expertise/Qualifications

• A degree or diploma in civil engineering or a related field are highly desirable, with extensive experience in managing road infrastructure projects, including construction, maintenance, and capital works.
• Experience in road management, with proficiency in understanding and ensuring adherence to statutory requirements.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to ensure regulatory, safety, and environmental compliance while promoting an inclusive and culturally safe environment.

This is an ongoing position. The work location for this position is flexible within Victoria with hybrid work arrangements available.

To be considered for this position, applicants are encouraged to submit a resume and cover letter (no longer than 2 pages) addressing the key selection criteria summarising their skills and relevant experience.

Please refer to the Key Selection Criteria provided in the Position Description , including the mandatory requirements.

Applications close 11.59pm on Monday, 9 November 2026.

Preferred candidates will be required to undertake pre-employment screening, including a Declaration and Consent form and a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check.

To be eligible for appointment to this role, applicants will possess corresponding work rights for the advertised employment period. Appointment to an ongoing position is only available to an Australian/New Zealand citizen or an Australian Permanent Resident.

An inclusive, culturally safe and flexible workplace

DEECA fosters an inclusive workplace culture and is committed to a fair, accessible, and equitable recruitment process.

We strongly encourage Aboriginal and or Torres Strait Islander people to apply. We recognise the strengths, knowledge and perspectives First Nations people bring and DEECA is committed to a culturally safe and respectful workplace. If you need support to participate, please contact [e-mail].

We support flexible working arrangements, including hybrid work, varied hours, part-time work and job sharing. For more information about our recruitment processes, visit applying for a role with us.