Communications and Community Engagement

**About the Department**

The 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, as well as directly providing school education and 50 new early learning centres.

**About the Division**

The Early Learning Operations and Monitoring (ELOM) Division leads core funding, policy, operational and monitoring functions for funded three and four-year-old kindergarten in Victoria.

The Division consists of two branches:

- Early Learning Funding and Operations Branch
- Sector Monitoring and Support Branch

Key responsibilities of the Early Learning Funding and Operations Branch include:

- kindergarten organisational and program requirements as set out in the Kindergarten Funding Guide
- setting funding rates and eligibility for all kindergarten setting types and subsidies
- Free Kinder
- kindergarten data collection, monitoring and reporting.

Key responsibilities of the Early Learning Sector Monitoring and Support Branch include:

- kindergarten contract management policy and oversight
- leading financial assessment and monitoring of funded kindergarten providers
- data insights and analytics
- centrally managed and procured kindergarten supports, including payroll and IT
- Early Years Management
- Central Enrolment and Registration
- coordination of ECE's contribution to key departmental processes including business planning, the annual report, budget submissions and parliamentary committees.

ELOM Division works closely with other divisions across ECE, other central divisions including Performance and Evaluation Division, and early childhood staff in Regions and Areas. ELOM Division plays a key role in providing input and expertise into the planning and implementation of _Best Start, Best Life _reform activities as well as providing advice and support to Early Childhood Implementation Branches.

ELOM Division also works in consultation with key sector peak bodies and stakeholders.

**About the Role**

Fixed term position until 30 June 2026.

The Senior Communication and Engagement Advisor leads the development and implementation of communications and resources to support key projects and initiatives within a fast-paced early childhood operational environment. The role provides expert communication advice and develops clear, targeted messaging for diverse audiences including services, providers, families, and internal stakeholders. Working closely with program and policy teams, the advisor ensures that communication activities align with departmental priorities and help drive successful reform implementation. This position is also responsible for developing a range of communication materials, managing stakeholder engagement, and supporting issues management in a dynamic and highly visible policy space.

**Attributes**
- Do you enjoy crafting clear, targeted messages that help diverse audiences understand complex reforms and policies?
- Are you someone who can anticipate stakeholder needs, identify risks, and shape communication strategies that support change and build trust?
- Do you have strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work collaboratively across teams to deliver consistent and effective messaging?
- Do you take ownership of your work, managing competing priorities in a fast-paced environment while delivering high-quality communication outputs?
- Do you bring political and organisational awareness, with the ability to navigate sensitivities and provide sound communication advice to senior leaders?

If you have answered yes to these questions, please apply

**Desirable**Qualifications and Experience**
- A suitable tertiary qualification in a related field

**Further Information**

Applicants requiring adjustments can contact the nominated contact person.

**Applications close** 11:59pm on 25/07/2025.