Strategic Program Lead

Department-of-Energy,-Environment-and-Climate-Action; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action in Melbourne is seeking a Strategic Program Lead to provide specialist leadership in road management planning, compliance and coordination across major capital works. The role ensures regulatory adherence and delivers sound advice on complex road management matters.

Responsibilities include embedding best practice road management, risk management, and cross‑agency liaison to align policy, operations and project delivery within a busy state

Qualifications

• Degree or diploma in civil engineering desirable with extensive experience in managing road infrastructure projects.
• Experience in road management with adherence to statutory requirements.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills maintaining regulatory, safety and environmental compliance.

Responsibilities

• Lead road management planning, compliance and coordination across capital projects, operations and policy interfaces.
• Provide authoritative advice on complex road management matters and manage risk and compliance.
• Engage internal and external stakeholders to ensure clear understanding and continuous improvement of road management requirements.

Skills

Civil engineering

Stakeholder management

Road management experience

Education

Degree or diploma in civil engineering

Job description

Location: Melbourne - CBD and Inner Metro suburbs

Reference: 2493

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.

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.

All applications must be submitted through the online portal. We are unable to consider email or manual applications at this time.

Other relevant information:

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 .