Principal Policy Officer

Location: Melbourne | CBD

Job type: Ongoing - Full Time

Organisation: Department of Transport and Planning

**Salary**: $134,593 - $157,355

Occupation: Policy

Reference: 6313

**About the Role**

The Principal Policy Officer provides strategic and technical policy and regulatory expertise to underpin delivery of the Building Reform Program. They will develop and oversee a cohesive approach to progressing a long-term pipeline of reform projects, ensuring a connection between short-term program requirements and longer-term systemic reform priorities and direction.

They will provide effective project scoping and monitoring of delivery against project plans, ensuring that objectives are met across a suite of projects over short
- and long-terms. In doing so, they will provide mentoring, coaching and guidance to project team members, tailoring their involvement in individual projects to best support delivery within the context of resource and priority settings. In lieu, they will directly lead some targeted projects, working with complex stakeholders and drawing on support from branch staff. As a member of the branch leadership team, they will work across teams to align regulatory focus and effort, ensuring opportunities for collaboration are identified and exploited. This will include representation at interdepartmental meetings with senior government officials and executives, and in external forums.

To access the Position Description,** please click here.**

**Position Outcomes / Accountabilities**
- Provide high level strategic and technical advice on significant policy and regulatory matters related to the building, plumbing and architecture industries, identifying emerging issues and ensuring appropriate responses, including risk analyses and the preparation of reports for a range of audiences.
- Ensure a cohesive focus and high level of project management capability across a suite of regulatory projects, balancing short
- and long-term needs and supporting strategic approach to project prioritisation, resourcing, scoping and delivery.
- Foster key strategic relationships, design and lead complex stakeholder and community engagement strategies with key internal and external stakeholders, to facilitate a partnership approach and ensure that regulatory projects are implemented collaboratively and flexibly.
- Maintain an active awareness of international and national building issues, with a particular focus on regulatory amendment proposals and any implications for the building regulatory system in Victoria.
- Play a leadership role in the team, including allocation and oversight of project specific work, and providing guidance and constructive feedback to support the team.
- Prepare detailed reports, business cases, Cabinet submissions, Ministerial briefings, discussion papers, impact assessments and legislation, while demonstrating an understanding of the policy, political and legal context.

**Key Selection Criteria**

To be successful in this role, Principal Policy Officer will lead the development and delivery of innovative policies that shape Victoria’s transport and planning landscape. This Senior role requires a strategic thinker with exceptional leadership and communication skills, who can influence stakeholders, drive collaboration and deliver impactful outcomes in a complex and evolving environment.

As a key contributor to the department's strategic goals, you will develop comprehensive policy proposals, providing thought leadership on critical issues. Your ability to navigate the political and organisational context will ensure the department stays ahead of external changes and stakeholder needs, while upholding public sector values.

Strong stakeholder management skills are essential, as you will balance competing interests and facilitate innovative solutions. Through compelling communication and advanced negotiation strategies, you will build support for initiatives that drive government priorities.

You will also oversee the successful delivery of complex projects, translating strategies into actionable plans with robust governance structures. Your adaptability and collaborative approach will help foster a culture of innovation and inclusivity across the organisation and with external partners.

If you have a proven track record in leading policy development, influencing diverse stakeholders, and driving organisational change, we invite you to apply. Join us in shaping policies that deliver lasting benefits for Victoria.

**Qualifications and Experience**

Desirable
- A tertiary qualification in law or public policy is highly desirable.
- Experience in the development and amendment of legislation and/or regulations in a State or Commonwealth public service setting is highly desirable.

What we offer
- Meaningful work making Victorian communities more accessible and liveable
- Professional growth and development opportunities across the department and the wider Victorian Public Services
-