Principal Data Advisor

About this role

An exciting opportunity exists to be the Principal Data Advisor responsible for leading data governance, strategy, analysis, and integration for the Employee Safety and Wellbeing Division (ESWD). 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 Division The Employee Safety and Wellbeing Division (ESW Division) vision is to create safe, healthy, respectful working environments for Department employees to thrive and succeed. The ESW Division performs it functions through teams that span from prevention, through to response and recovery, along with strategy, advice and support. These teams adopt a holistic approach for supporting the health, safety and wellbeing of our workforce across schools, central and regional offices. This includes Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) and Workers' Compensation policy advice and support, for both physical and mental health and wellbeing. The objectives of the Division are to: • promote positive wellbeing in working environments • prevent against known and expected risks to health, safety and wellbeing • respond swiftly and effectively to manage potential issues as they emerge and prevent injuries • support employees to recover from injury and illness, and return to work • promote respectful and inclusive workplaces that upholds equal opportunity and prevents discrimination, bullying, harassment and sexual harassment About the Role An exciting opportunity exists to be the Principal Data Advisor responsible for leading data governance, strategy, analysis, and integration for the Employee Safety and Wellbeing Division (ESWD). The successful candidate will collaborate with a range of stakeholders and lead a cross-Division project team to project manage the migration of critical ESWD data sets to the department's enterprise data and analytics (D&A) platform, DARE (Data and Analytics Repository for Education). DARE is the Department's new enterprise D&A platform. Built using cloud technology, it leverages Microsoft Azure (the cloud computing platform) and Databricks (the analytics service) to deliver a modern, secure, and scalable analytics environment. This role will also be the VPS6 People Manager for the OHS Performance and Governance Team in the Health and Safety Systems and Compliance Branch in the Employee Safety and Wellbeing Division and will manage a team of data analysts. The role will also be required to report and monitor health and safety outcomes and impact for our school, Early Learning Victoria Centres and corporate workforces. Commencement date for the position is 1 October 2026. Attributes • high level project management skills to plan and deliver projects including strong contract management skills, identifying risks, establishing governance, monitoring, evaluating performance and ensuring continuous improvement • high level stakeholder management skills including the ability to consult, negotiate and influence key stakeholders from across the Department of Education. • Strong interpersonal skills to be able to work with multiple teams from across the Department of Education. • Strong technical data literacy skills to understand all components of the project and a proven ability to lead technical workstreams and mentor team members Desir able Qualifications and Experience • 5+ years' experience in data analysis and/or quantitative research methods • Strong understanding of data quality frameworks, data governance, and lineage practices. • Qualification and/or work experience in health and safety or workers compensation. 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 www.education.vic.gov.au . For further information pertaining to the role, please contact Melissa Gaddie, Director, Health and Safety Systems and Compliance Branch , [email protected] 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 14th August 2026