Manager, Workforce and Recruitment

Grab for Careers

The establishment of Early Learning Victoria is entering its next phase as all existing central officer positions have been made ongoing. As such, we are very excited to be advertising these positions for a commencement date of 1 July 2026.

About the Department

The role of the Department of Education is to support Victorians to build prosperous, socially engaged, happy and healthy lives. It does this by supporting lifelong learning and healthy development, strengthening families and helping to equip people with the skills and knowledge for a 21st century economy and society.

About Early Learning Victoria

The Victorian Government is establishing 50 government-owned and operated early learning centres by 2032 as part of the Best Start, Best Life reforms. The centres offer childcare, Three and Four-Year-Old Kindergarten and Pre-Prep. The centres provide high-quality, accessible and inclusive early childhood education and care that is child centred, focused on learning through play and in nature, with strong connections to local communities.

Early Learning Victoria is part of the Victorian Department of Education. The ELV central team is leading the roll-out of the 50 centres and supports and oversees 4 centres that have recently opened. We are committed to creating a supportive and enriching work environment for our employees, offering a range of benefits and opportunities for professional growth and development.

Early Learning Victoria is committed to the Child Safe Standards and safeguarding of children from harm.

About the Role

The Manager Workforce and Recruitment will lead the team providing centralised business management and HR support to the centres. You will lead on workforce policy including Industrial Relations, development and upkeep of HR policies and procedures and the development and implementation of a workforce strategy to support attracting and retaining staff. You will engage with stakeholders to address workforce challenges, developing initiatives and partnerships to support the pipeline of early learning staff.

The attraction, retention and professional development of the over 1000 centre staff is central to delivering high-quality education and care to children enrolled in the centres.

Your duties will include:

• Managing the recruitment and business management team that:

• Supports ELCCs with cash budgeting, transactions, monitoring, and processing

• Handles recruitment, HR, and payroll requests for ELCCs

• Ensures quality control for financial, recruitment, and eduPay processes

• Advises senior management on new processes/systems

• Creates, monitors, and adjusts policies, procedures, and forms

• Leads administration of the team's management portal and system interfaces

• Collaborating with the pedagogy and practice team to develop a staff learning and development framework, incorporating research and best practices

• Working with centre directors to address workforce challenges and adjust HR policies

• Establishing partnerships with training providers and stakeholders to support workforce pipeline

• Leading the development of a long-term workforce strategy for Early Learning Victoria

Qualifications and Experience

The successful candidate will demonstrate the ability to:

• Lead teams to identify policy problems, develop design options, and make recommendations

• Manage and coach staff, providing clear direction and fostering an inclusive, supportive, and collaborative culture

• Manage complex, multi-faceted policy projects

• Relevant tertiary qualification in a related field is desirable

• Demonstrated familiarity with human resources policies and processes

• Understanding of early childhood sector, with expertise in early learning settings, highly regarded

• Desirable: Experience in working for Government owned and operated Early Learning Services

How to apply

Applicants are required to submit a CV and cover letter (max 2 pages for cover letter) summarising their skills, relevant experience and suitability to the role.

Further Information

For more details on this position please see attached position description.

For further information about the role, please contact Tess Allaway via

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

Preferred applicants may be required to have a Working with Children Check, a police check and 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 26 October 2025