principal policy officer

Department for Infrastructure and Transport

Job reference: 702559

Location: ADELAIDE

Job status: Short Term Contract

Eligibility: Open to Everyone

At the Department for Infrastructure and Transport, we are connecting South Australia to keep our State moving. We are responsible for delivering a multi-billion-dollar pipeline of transformative transport and social infrastructure projects, operating and maintaining thousands of kilometres of roads and managing our city's public transport network.

Our work encompasses every part of our State; from our cities to our regions, connecting and strengthening community. We value diversity and inclusion and foster an environment of collaboration, flexibility, and support for our people.

The Opportunity

As a Principal Policy Officer, you'll play a leading role in shaping transport policy and reform in South Australia. Working within the Road Safety, Policy and Reform Directorate, you'll provide strategic advice, manage complex projects, and influence initiatives that make a real difference to the community.

This role offers the chance to work across diverse areas with a focus on transport innovation policy while collaborating with government, industry, and community stakeholders. You'll bring strong policy expertise, communication skills, and a forward-thinking approach to guide reforms and deliver practical outcomes.

If you're motivated by meaningful work, enjoy navigating complex challenges, and want to see your contributions create lasting impact, this role will give you the platform to do so.

About you

You are a strategic, outcomes-focused professional with experience leading complex policy reform under broad direction. You take a proactive approach to planning, implementing, and evaluating policy initiatives, always with a focus on achieving measurable results.

You build strong relationships with stakeholders, balancing customer needs with broader strategic goals, and are confident negotiating sensitive or complex matters. As a collaborative leader, you motivate and influence others to deliver their best, guiding teams through competing priorities while fostering a positive culture.

You bring broad knowledge of policy and operational environments, with an awareness of the social and economic factors that shape decision-making. Your communication is clear and professional across all levels, and you are skilled in resolving issues, negotiating outcomes, and providing practical, expert advice.

Educational Qualifications

• Appropriate tertiary qualifications or equivalent. Relevant professional experience is desirable in policy, politics or legal.

Special Conditions

• A National Police Check (NPC) is required prior to employment in the Department for Infrastructure and Transport which must be renewed every three years.
• A Working with Children Check (WWCC) is required prior to employment with the Department for Infrastructure and Transport, which must be renewed every five years before expiry.
• Some out of hours and weekend work, along with some intra/interstate travel requiring overnight stays, may be required.

Tenure of Vacancy

Temporary appointment up to 12 months.

Remuneration

ASO7 - $108,109 to $116,864 pa + Superannuation.

Enquiries

Claudia Lepore

A/Manager, Transport Innovation Policy

Telephone:

Email:

Application Instructions

Applications can be submitted online by clicking the 'Apply' button.

Applicants are required to submit a curriculum vitae and a cover letter of no more than two pages addressing the selection criteria in the role statement.

Our Commitment

The Department for Infrastructure and Transport is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to building a diverse and inclusive culture across the department, planning for and promoting diversity and culturally safe workplace. We welcome and encourage applications from diverse community groups and ages including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, LGBTQIA+, people with disabilities and other diversity groups. The Department recognises the benefits that such an approach brings for our staff and customers in delivering the future of South Australia.

As a WE'RE EQUAL organisation we are committed to treating everyone equally, proudly promoting our department, and all its spaces as safe places for everybody.

Role Statement Principal Policy Officer ASO7

Applications close: 19/10/2025 9:00 PM

Flexibility Statement

The South Australian public sector promotes diversity and flexible ways of working including part-time. Applicants are encouraged to discuss the flexible working arrangements for this role.