Program Lead, Senior Program Advisor

About this role

The Program Lead (Senior Project Advisor) leads the delivery of private drinking water and wastewater management programs across eligible education facilities, including schools, kindergartens and early learning centres. 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 and Operations Division help government educational facilities maintain and manage their buildings and grounds. The Division delivers programs and systems to ensures educational facilities are routinely maintained and upkept. The Branches included in the Division are Maintenance Delivery, Asset Programs and Asset Operations. Asset Operations Branch The Asset Operations Branch is responsible for implementing and delivering programs that support Victorian government schools, kindergarten and early learning centres through Essential Safety Measures, School Cleaning, Kinder Facilities Management and support 24 government schools that are part of the Public-Private Partnership program. About the Role The Program Lead (Senior Project Advisor) leads the delivery of private drinking water and wastewater management programs across eligible education facilities, including schools, kindergartens and early learning centres. Reporting to the Manager, this role supports the centralisation of these programs and ensures effective service delivery across a large and diverse statewide portfolio. The role is responsible for program coordination, contractor and performance management, stakeholder engagement, compliance monitoring and continuous improvement. Working closely with education facilities, internal teams and VSBA-appointed service providers, you will drive consistent, efficient and customer-focused program outcomes in a contract-managed environment. You will also provide leadership and support to team members and contribute to a positive, collaborative workplace culture. The role requires strong experience in facilities and/or asset management, along with well-developed problem-solving, analytical and stakeholder management skills. You will use program data, contractor reports and service request information to prepare high-quality reports, briefings and correspondence for a range of stakeholders, including executives, senior managers and Ministers. 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 deliv ery. • 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, facilities and/or asset management industries with an understanding of building regulations (highly desirable). • Demonstrated knowledge and experience in government procedures, processes, writing and systems (highly desirable). • Excellent skills in using Microsoft Office software including Outlook, Word, Excel, Teams, PowerPoint, and SharePoint (required). 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. This can be found in the Position Description. Further Information For more details regarding this position, please see the attached 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. 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 Fiona Missen by phone 03 7022 5643 or email [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 12/08/2026