Finance Strategic Projects Lead

About this role

At the NSW Department of Education, we educate and inspire lifelong learners – from early childhood, through schooling to vocational education and training. * Ongoing Full time * Multiple roles available * Located in Parramatta with flexible working arrangements available * Salary: Clerk Grade 9/10 with salary ranging from $133,348 to $146,945 + super and annual leave loading * Lead strategic reform and service improvement initiatives that strengthen financial services and support better outcomes for schools across NSW About the role As a Finance Strategic Projects Lead, you will drive the development, delivery and evaluation of complex strategic projects that support the Department's priorities and enhance financial services for schools. Working across a diverse portfolio of initiatives, you will lead project planning, implementation and stakeholder engagement activities to deliver meaningful and sustainable improvements. You will work closely with Finance teams, senior leaders and key stakeholders to identify opportunities for reform, manage project delivery and support the successful transition of initiatives into business-as-usual operations. The role requires strong project leadership, strategic thinking and the ability to balance competing priorities while delivering high-quality outcomes. For further information please click here to view the role description About you We are looking for a highly motivated and solutions-focused professional who enjoys leading complex projects and driving organisational improvement. To be successful in this role, you will bring: * Experience leading complex projects, strategic initiatives, service improvement programs or business transformation activities in a complex environment. * Strong project management skills, including project planning, governance, risk management, monitoring and reporting. * Demonstrated ability to analyse information, identify emerging issues and develop practical recommendations to achieve project outcomes. * Excellent stakeholder engagement and relationship management skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate with a diverse range of stakeholders. * Strong communication skills, including experience preparing business cases, reports, presentations and executive briefings. * A continuous improvement mindset, with experience identifying opportunities to enhance processes, systems and service delivery. * The ability to manage competing priorities, work independently and deliver high-quality outcomes within tight timeframes. Key knowledge and experience * Substantial experience leading the delivery of complex, strategic reform projects * Experience with Agile ways of working desirable * Knowledge of and commitment to implementing the Department’s Aboriginal Education Policy and upholding the Department’s Partnership Agreement with the NSW AECG and to ensure quality outcomes for Aboriginal people. Essential requirements of the role * Qualifications in a relevant discipline or demonstrated equivalent knowledge, skills and experience. * Demonstrated understanding of and commitment to the value of public education. Benefits * 35 hour working week * Competitive, salary sacrificing, employer’s contribution to superannuation and annual leave loading * Opportunities for advancement and mobility across the Department to support your career growth * Flex Leave entitlements, generous holidays & leave conditions How to apply Attach a resume (maximum 5 pages) and a cover letter (maximum 2 pages) outlining how you meet the requirements and capabilities of this role and your response to the targeted question. Targeted Question Describe your experience leading a complex project or operational improvement involving multiple stakeholders and tight deadlines. What was your role and what was the outcome? (300 words) Applicants are encouraged to prepare their application materials independently. The selection panel values authentic and personally written responses that reflect your own experience, insights and alignment with the Department’s values and priorities. Please refer to the Applicant’s Guide to Applying to assist you with your application. If you are an existing Education Support Staff (corporate staff) with the NSW Department of Education, click here for instructions on how to submit your application. All other applicants please submit your application by clicking ‘Apply Now’. Note: the selection process will include a range of assessment techniques to assist in determining your suitability for the role. Successful candidates will be required to undertake pre-employment screening for this role which includes a National Criminal History Check. As a condition of employment, successful candidates not currently employed by the Department must provide a valid Working with Children Check (WWCC) clearance number. Renewal is not required after the WWCC expires, as long as you remain in a non–child-related role. Employer obligations only apply while the WWCC is valid. Candidates must have Australian work rights (citizens, permanent residents, New Zealand citizens or a valid work visa). Ongoing (permanent) roles are open to Australian citizens and permanent residents and New Zealand citizens, while temporary roles welcome applicants with a visa. Closing date: Sunday, 9 August 2026 at 11:59pm. For role enquiries please contact Joyce Abela via email at Joyce.Abela@det.nsw.edu.au For recruitment process enquiries, please contact projectrecruitment@det.nsw.edu.au We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, including but not limited to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people, people of any age or gender, people from culturally and linguistically diverse groups and/or from the LGBTQIA+ community, veterans, refugees, people with disability, people with sensory differences, and neurodiverse people. If we can make some adjustments to our recruitment/interview process to better help you shine, please reach out to the contact person for this recruitment, details listed above. For more information, visit the NSW Department of Education’s Diversity, equity and inclusion webpage. A recruitment pool may be created through this recruitment process. A recruitment pool is a group of applicants who have been assessed and identified as suitable for this role, and who may be considered for a range of similar roles, including temporary, term or ongoing roles, over the next 18 months.