Senior Principal Adviser

Senior Principal Adviser

• Salary: $162,077 - $185,518 (Plus Superannuation)
• Fixed term: until 20 November 2026
• Usual hours of work: Full time (flexibility may be available)
• Usual work location: 121 Exhibition Street, Melbourne (flexibility may be available)

The Role

The Priority Projects Unit supports the Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions with policy development and priority reforms. The unit works in partnership with the department's policy teams to help deliver priorities as directed by the Secretary and Deputy Secretaries.

1. Employ best-practice project management disciplines to lead multiple project teams to address priority issues across the department's portfolio areas, including cross-portfolio projects, delivering quality outcomes with available resources within agreed timelines, ensuring risks are appropriately managed.
2. Design, oversee and conduct data analysis, evidence collation and stakeholder interviews to analyse complex problems, formulate findings, provide authoritative advice and make reasoned recommendations on a wide range of public policy issues.
3. Lead and manage the creation, production and delivery of high-quality, concise, accurate and compelling reports, briefs and submissions to facilitate effective decision-making.

The Team

The position of Senior Principal Adviser forms a part of the Economic Policy, Programs and Services (EPPS) in The Priority Projects Unit.

The EPPS brings together advanced capabilities in economics and public policy, data and modelling, program design and evaluation, project management, delivery and assurance. This includes In House Professional Services - the teams that deliver client services to Groups across the department, and which includes Priority Projects.

The Priority Projects Unit supports the Department with strategy development and priority reforms across the department in collaboration with relevant branches and stakeholders.

About You

1. Problem solving: outstanding analytical and conceptual skills, including an ability to structure problems, analyse data and communicate solutions to decision-makers.
2. Policy nous: excellent understanding of public policy and government processes, including expertise in contemporary policy challenges across the department's portfolio areas and extensive experience contributing to policy formulation and implementation in the public sector.
3. Project management: excellent project management discipline, with extensive experience delivering public sector projects, including planning and leading teams to deliver large-scale projects in complex environments.

Further Information

For a confidential discussion, please contact Cosi McRae, Director, Priority Projects on

The Department is committed to creating and maintaining a child safe organisation. We have zero tolerance of child abuse and are committed to taking the necessary steps to protect children from harm by adopting a preventative, proactive and participatory approach to child safety in accordance with the Child Safe Standards.

Successful candidates will be required to undergo a National Police Records Check prior to commencing employment with the Department. For further information on the position, please refer to the attached position description.

Please note: We are committed to inclusive recruitment. If you require an adjustment to participate in any stage of the recruitment process or have a particular requirement to be communicated with by either telephone or email only, please notify the DJSIR Talent Acquisition Team on , or via email at  with the position number in the subject line.

How to Apply

Please click the 'Apply Now' button. As part of the application process, you will need to provide a copy of your resume and a cover letter addressing the key selection criteria outlined in the position description. Candidates shortlisted for interview will be required to complete a case study as part of the interview process.

Applications close at 23:59pm on 13 October 2025.