Lead, Strategic Projects

**Position Description
**Lead, Strategic Projects**

**Strategy and Engagement**

**A** **bout Victorian Catholic Education Authority (VCEA)**
VCEA is the peak body for Catholic education in Victoria. Established in 1973 by the Archbishop of Melbourne and the
Bishops of the Ballarat,**_ _**Sale, and Sandhurst dioceses, it**_ _**was incorporated in 2006 and acts as the voice of Catholic
education in State and national matters.

VCEA receives and distributes funding from state and federal governments for Catholic schools, provides strategic
leadership and pl**_ _**anning, and en**_ _**sures proper governance in Catholic education statewide. It is responsible for sector
leadership in education integrity and governance and has a Memorandum of Understanding to act as a Review Body for
Catholic scho**_ _**ols with the Victorian R**_ _**egistration and Qualifications Authority (VRQA). As a Review Body, VCEA supports,
reviews, and monitors the compliance of Catholic schools with all registration, reporting and other requirements under
relevant laws.

**Why work with us**
As the peak body for Catholic education in Victoria, VCEA provides employees an opportunity to help shape the future of
Catholic education across the state. VCEA offers flexible working, a central city office location, competitive remuneration
with generous benefits (including tax-advantageous salary sacrifice options), and opportunities for career development
and progression. These benefits combine with our commitment to work life balance to make VCEA an employer of choice.

**About the role**
The Research, Policy and Performance Excellence team undertakes a range of functions in support of the VCEA’s strategic
leadership role. It analyses data on school and system performance, oversees or undertakes strategic research and
projects, coordinates policy development and submissions to government and regulatory agencies, and leads other
strategic initiatives to shape the direction of Catholic education in Victoria.
The Lead, Strategic Projects, will play a critical role in leading the planning and development of strategic projects and
initiatives to improve state-wide Catholic education performance.

**Position Title** Lead, Strategic Projects

**Reports to **Manager, Research, Policy, and Performance Excellence

**Direct Reports** No

**Key responsibilities of the role**:

- Assist in scoping projects of strategic importance to Catholic Education in Victoria, and lead the planning, delivery
- and reporting on these projects alongside the Manager and Chief Strategy Officer.
- Support the VCEA Executive Leadership Team with the development and monitoring of VCEA's strategic plan and
- portfolio-specific strategies.
- Represent the VCEA as necessary, in internal, cross-sectoral or national working groups related to strategic
- initiatives.
- Undertake research, data collection, analysis and stakeholder consultations, as necessary as part of the delivery of
- strategic projects.
- Assist with the preparation and writing of high-quality reports, briefings, and presentations to share information
- and analysis, and communicate findings and recommendations in a concise and articulate manner.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, both within VCEA and Catholic education in Victoria,

and with external stakeholders.

PD00064 - December 2023

**Key selection criteria**:

- Demonstrated experience in supporting or leading strategic projects, research, data analysis and/or performance
- assessment, preferably in the education sector or involving funding models.
- Strong project management skills with the ability to oversee multiple projects, set priorities, and deliver results
- within established timelines and budget constraints.
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities, with the capacity to collect and interpret data, conduct research,
- and provide evidence-based insights and recommendations.
- Well-developed interpersonal skills with demonstrational experience in engaging and collaborating with a wide range
- of internal and external stakeholders.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills including the ability to present complex information in a clear and
- compelling manner.

**Skills, qualifications, and pre-requisites**

**Qualifications **Tertiary qualifications in Business, Economics, Education or a related field.

**Previous **A minimum of four years’ experience in management or public policy consulting, or within a
**Experience/s **corporate or public sector strategy role, preferably within the education sector.

**Organisational **A commitment to the ethos, values, and mission of Catholic education and to VCEA values of
**values **excellence, promoting the common good, integrity, and equity.

**Other requirements **1. An understanding of and commitment to the safety, wellbeing, and protection of
children, requiring that you:
a. Must hold and maintain a current Victorian Working with Children Check or
b