Manager, Policy

Manager, Policy

Salary: $138,631 - $185,518 (Plus superannuation)

Ongoing position

Usual hours of work: Full time

Usual work location: 121 Exhibition Street, Melbourne VIC 3000 (flexibility may be available)

The Role We are seeking a Manager, Policy to shape the future of adult community education in Victoria. You will lead the development of strategic policy advice and innovative initiatives that support inclusive, accessible, and high-quality learning opportunities for adult learners—particularly those facing barriers to education and employment.

You must be a highly motivated leader with strong policy development skills, a deep understanding of the education and training landscape, and a collaborative, outcomes-focused approach. Your ability to think critically, communicate with influence, and engage meaningfully with diverse stakeholders—including Learn Local providers, community organisations, and government partners—will be key to the team's success. In this role, you'll contribute meaningfully by driving evidence-informed reforms, piloting new approaches to community education, and ensuring policy settings reflect the needs of learners and communities across Victoria.

Main accountabilities

Participates in strategic planning and contributes to strategic decision-making process.

Identifies and responds to new and emerging strategic issues impacting on the operating environment.

Develops briefs on highly complex issues that provide options for decision within an organisation.

Develops policy frameworks within area of expertise or responsibility based on defined organisational priorities.

Uses knowledge of structures, processes and culture of government, the sector and the department to develop policies and new program or project initiatives.

Applies complex concepts drawn from non-related fields to address policy issues.

The Team The position of Manager, Policy forms a part of the ACFE Pathways and Workforce Branch, which sits within Skills and TAFE.

Skills and TAFE (S&T) focuses on enabling Victorians to access the knowledge, skills and attributes they need to participate in today's workforce, prepare for future jobs, and achieve their educational aspirations.

Working in close partnership with the Victorian Skills Authority (VSA), S&T provides leadership and stewardship of a responsive, high-quality vocational education and training (VET) system. This includes oversight of the Victorian TAFE Network, led by the Office of TAFE Coordination and Delivery (OTCD), and the apprenticeships system, with a strong focus on aligning training with industry needs and strengthening pathways into the workforce.

S&T supports lifelong learning and inclusive education through Adult, Community and Further Education (ACFE) and the Learn Local network, helping adult learners progress into further study or work. S&T collaborates across government, industry, education providers, and communities to deliver skills-focused solutions that improve workforce outcomes and enable businesses to access a skilled workforce.

About You To be successful in this role, you will have the following main skills and experience:

Team Management : Aligns community needs, service delivery model, talent availability against workforce strategy and architecture.

Policy Design and Development : Keeps up to date with a broad range of contemporary issues; Develops complex and far-reaching business case proposals.

Flexibility and Adaptability : Works to find new ways to deliver outcomes. Recognises the merits of different options and acts accordingly. Builds commitment of others to adopt new strategies to deliver against outcomes.

Future Focus : Communicates a clear and compelling vision for the future to the organisation that is meaningful to others. Articulates and drives implementation of strategies that align with organisational vision and purpose.

Interpersonal Skills : Builds relationships at senior levels; Acts as a convenor between teams and departments to build collaboration.

Working Collaboratively : Build a culture of collaboration across the organisation; Looks for and facilitates opportunities to collaborate with external stakeholders; Identifies and overcomes barriers to communication with internal and external stakeholder.

Further Information For a confidential discussion, please contact Jessica Ziersch, Director, Adult, Community and Further Education via email Jessica.Ziersch@ecodev.vic.gov.au

The Department is committed to creating and maintaining a child safe organisation. We have zero tolerance of child abuse and are committed to taking the necessary steps to protect children from harm by adopting a preventative, proactive and participatory approach to child safety in accordance with the Child Safe Standards.

Successful candidates will be required to undergo a National Police Records Check prior to commencing employment with the Department. To be eligible for this position you must hold the mandatory qualification as outlined in the position description. For further information on the position, please refer to the attached position description.

For Finance Roles:

The Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry, and Regions is an accredited CPA Australia Recognised Employer Partner.

Please note: We are committed to inclusive recruitment. If you require an adjustment to participate in any stage of the recruitment process or have a particular requirement to be communicated with by either telephone or email only, please notify the DJSIR Talent Acquisition Team on 0472 875 685, or via email at recruitment@ecodev.vic.gov.au with the position number in the subject line.

How to Apply Please click the ‘Apply Now' button.

To be considered for the role your application must include your current resume and address the key selection criteria outlined in the position description.

Applications close at 23:59pm on Thursday, 12 March 2026.

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