Program Lead Senior Program Advisor)

About the Role

The position has leadership responsibilities for VPS team members in the unit. This is a full-time ongoing position, classified as a VPSG5.2.

We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced person with facilities and/or asset management experience. You will be part of a dynamic and collaborative unit that partners with educational learning facilities and VSBA appointed service providers for Essential Safety Measures. Reporting to the Manager of the Facilities Management Unit, you will ensure compliance and performance management, manage contractor relationships, and drive successful service delivery of the ESM program.

You will have expertise in managing operations and service delivery across a diverse and extensive statewide program along with managing stakeholder and partner communications, ensuring consistency, clarity, with a strong focus on customer service to successfully deliver the program deliverables.

Responsibilities include program delivery, strong problem-solving and stakeholder engagement skills, performance monitoring, budget management, regulatory reporting, and collaboration with internal teams. Strong analytical skills and a results-oriented approach are a must. You will contribute to a positive and collaborative work environment providing leadership and support to team members.

You will need to provide information drawn from program data, contractor reports and current and historical service requests, to inform and develop accurate and timely reports, briefings and correspondence for a range of stakeholders, including Ministers, the Secretary, executives, senior managers and project teams.

This position may require visiting school sites during operating hours, therefore will require a valid Victorian Employee Working with Children Check and a current Victorian Driver's Licence.

Key responsibilities of this role include:

• Building strong relationships with service providers and stakeholders.
• Manage and monitor contractor performance and delivery.
• Prepare reports on KPIs, program updates, budget, accruals and expenditure.
• Drive continuous improvement in processes.
• Manage service provider claims and program delivery.
• Regulatory and risk management reporting.
• Collaborate with internal teams on legal, commercial, procurement and communication matters.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with schools.
• Provide leadership and support to other VPS team members.

Attributes

• Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills especially when road blocks are presented.
• Flexibility to adapt to change and effectively manage competing priorities.
• The ability to provide clear and concise advice, with keen attention to detail.
• Effective communication for strong contract and stakeholder management.
• Report generation from multiple data sources delivering timely, high-quality information.
• A solid understanding of dashboard reporting and data analysis.
• Support team members in developing skills and knowledge.
• A future-oriented mindset, proactively embracing modern technologies and best practices.
• Knowledge and experience in government systems, procedures, processes, reporting and writing.
• Strong collaborative skills to build relationships with stakeholders, service providers and working colleagues across all areas of the department.

Qualifications and Experience

• At least 3 years proven experience in program operations and delivery in facilities and/or asset management.
• Working knowledge and experience in construction, building surveying, facilities and/or asset management industries with an understanding of building regualtions (highly desirable).
• Considerable demonstrated experience in similar role within government (highly desirable).

Flexible Work Expectations

This role has hybrid working arrangements. For full-time employees, the department expects 3 days per week in the office, in line with the VPS Agreement 2024. This role follows those same operational requirements: 3 in-office days, 2 remote (if full-time).

How to apply

Your application will need to include a Current Resume and a Cover Letter (max 2 pages) which addresses the key selection criteria you can find in the Position Description

All VSBA staff have a shared responsibility to meet the same service standards outlined in the VSBA Customer Service Charter. Our goal is to make every interaction with the VSBA a positive one for our customers, colleagues and key partners regardless of our individual role or team.

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 Victorian School Building Authority

The Victorian School Building Authority (VSBA) is part of the Department of Education. Established in 2016, it oversees Victoria's largest school building program since the state introduced free public education in the 1870s.

The VSBA upgrades and expands existing schools and plans, designs, and builds new schools to meet enrolment demand. We also support schools to maintain their buildings and grounds by offering expert advice and coordinating maintenance programs and grants.

With Victoria recently introducing two years of funded kindergarten, the VSBA is also working with the early childhood sector on a massive kindergarten construction program.

About the Division

The Asset Management Division helps schools maintain and manage their buildings and grounds and ensures they are more energy efficient. The Division trains school leaders as facilities managers and supports them to develop school maintenance plans. They coordinate programs, assessments, and systems to ensure schools are routinely maintained and cleaned.

Facilities Branch

The Facilities Branch is responsible for implementing and delivering support for all Victorian government schools, kinder and early learning centres through the Essential Safety Measures, Response and School Cleaning programs. They also support 24 government schools that are part of the Public-Private Partnership program.

Further Information

For more details regarding this position, please see the attached position description.

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 Fiona Missen - Director by phone or email

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 Wednesday 12 November 2025