Director, Education System Projects

The role is fixed term until 30 June 2027.

Director, Education System Projects

• Lead key reforms shaping Victoria's education system settings
• Oversee complex, system-wide policy and legislative projects
• Strengthen collaboration across government

Strategy and Secondary School Reform Group - Department of Education

The Strategy and Secondary Reform Group (SSSR) plays a critical leadership role in delivering the Education State agenda, ensuring the Department of Education's efforts are strategic, coherent, and focused on long-term impact.

SSSR supports the Department to:

• Set strategic direction to deliver Education State priorities
• Lead policy design and implementation of key reforms, including senior secondary pathways
• Align departmental and national reform efforts through clear prioritisation and sequencing
• Use data and insights to monitor progress and drive Education State outcomes

The Strategy, Policy and National Reform, within the SSSR Group, delivers school education strategy, policy, and regulatory advice, as well as school and early childhood national reforms and negotiation of school and early childhood national agreements.

About the role:

Reporting to the Executive Director, Strategy, Policy and National Reform, you will:

• Lead the development of policy, planning and advice that informs education system-wide priorities.
• Provide authoritative advice and insight to senior executives, Ministers and government on policy priorities, emerging issues and system directions.
• Oversee complex, cross-cutting policy projects that advance the education portfolio, including at times the Education State agenda and promote coherence across the system.
• Strengthen strategic connections across the Department and government, with other portfolios and key education partners to deliver shared priorities and collaborative solutions.
• Build branch capability and performance, and foster an inclusive, engaged, and high-performing workplace

About you:

To succeed in this role, you will bring:

• Advanced strategic planning capabilities and applying a deep understanding of internal and external factors that influence departmental direction.
• Strong policy expertise, keeping up to date with contemporary issues and providing thought leadership in areas of specialist knowledge.
• Highly developed political and organisational acumen, using strategic relationships and knowledge to anticipate impacts, drive a values-based team, and ensure accountability to public sector values.
• Demonstrated leadership and people management skills, fostering an inclusive, high-performing team culture and providing guidance on effective people management across the service.

This role has a salary range of $188,297 - $256,088 (TRP) offering meaningful and challenging work in an environment that encourages values-based leadership.

Please refer to the Position Description for more information about the role purpose.

How to apply:

Please submit a resume and a cover letter (no more than one (1) A4 page). There is no requirement to make a separate statement in response to each of the key selection criteria (KSC), however the cover letter should provide an overview of how your knowledge, skills and experience meet the key selection criteria specified in the Position Description.

Further Information

For more details regarding this position please see attached position description for the capabilities to address in application.

The department values diversity and inclusion in all forms - gender, religion, ethnicity, LGBTIQ+, disability and neurodiversity. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. For more information about our work, working for the Department, diversity and inclusion, and our employment conditions visit the Department website and our Diversity and Inclusion page

Applicants requiring adjustments can contact the nominated contact person.

Information about the Department of Education's operations and employment conditions can be located at

For further information pertaining to the role, please contact Kate Vrljic, Strategic Adviser, Office of the Deputy Secretary via

Preferred applicants may be required to complete a police check and may be subject to other pre-employment checks. Information provided to the Department of Education will be treated in the strictest confidence.

Please let us know via phone or email if you require any adjustments to ensure your full participation in the recruitment process or if you need the ad or any attachments in an accessible format (e.g large print) due to any viewing difficulties or other accessibility requirements.

Applications close 11:59pm on Tuesday 02 December 2025.