Project Specialist

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 11/12 with salary ranging from $154,231 to $ 178,369 + super and annual leave loading * An exciting opportunity to contribute to high-impact initiatives that shape the future of the Department About the role As a Project Specialist, you will play a key role in driving strategic financial and service improvement projects across the NSW Department of Education. Working across diverse portfolios, you will lead the planning, delivery and evaluation of complex projects that improve business outcomes, strengthen governance and support organisational reform. You will provide expert project management advice, develop practical tools and frameworks, and establish effective governance to ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget and to a high standard. Success in this role requires the ability to build strong relationships, influence stakeholders at all levels and work collaboratively across multidisciplinary teams to deliver lasting improvements. For further information please click here to view the role description About you You are a strategic thinker with extensive experience leading the design and delivery of complex projects in government or a similarly complex organisation. You thrive in environments where priorities evolve, bringing sound judgement, initiative and a solutions-focused mindset to every challenge. To be successful in this role, you will demonstrate: * Extensive experience managing complex projects from initiation through to implementation and evaluation. * Strong stakeholder engagement, influencing and relationship management skills, with the ability to build trusted partnerships across diverse groups. * Experience developing business cases, project plans, governance frameworks and project reporting to support informed decision-making. * The ability to analyse complex information, identify opportunities for improvement and implement practical, evidence-based solutions. * A collaborative leadership style with the ability to bring people together to achieve shared outcomes. * Excellent communication skills, with the ability to provide clear advice, facilitate discussions and present recommendations to senior stakeholders. * A commitment to continuous improvement, innovation and delivering high-quality outcomes. Key knowledge and experience * Extensive experience in project design, development and delivery / implementation in government agencies or commercial enterprises * Substantial experience in working collaboratively with a wide range of senior stakeholders to influence behaviour and achieve outcomes. * 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 * Tertiary Qualifications in a relevant discipline and/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), a cover letter and a response to the targeted question. Targeted question: Tell us about a time you have designed and delivered a strategic project in a large and complex organisation. (max 300 words) 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: Tuesday, 25 August 2026 at 11:59pm. For role enquiries please contact Tammy Connor via email at Tammy.Connor@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.