Job Description
Overview
Work Type: Fixed-term - Full-time
Salary: $188,297 - $256,088
Grade: VPS 7
Occupation: Construction
Location: Melbourne - CBD and Inner Metro suburbs
Reference: VG/DE/VSBA/1917629
Lead the Department’s educational infrastructure investment program.
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
Major Projects & Property Division is responsible for delivering educational infrastructure projects and programs, including the acquisition and management of land as well as delivery of capital infrastructure projects.
The Major Projects branches are responsible for the management and delivery of major infrastructure projects including new schools, upgrade and modernization initiatives, kinder on school sites and learning centres. We consider successful project delivery to include strong stakeholder relationship management, effective risk and issues management, quality communications strategy and implementation and excellent customer service to all stakeholders.
About the Role
Reporting to the Executive Director, Major Projects and Property Division, Victorian School Building Authority, the Director, Major Projects 2 must be a visible leader in Government infrastructure delivery, have a strong commercial understanding of infrastructure delivery, provide high quality, strategic and timely advice to Ministers, the Secretary and the CEO and manage any significant issues to protect and build awareness and reputation of the work of the Authority.
The Director, Major Projects 2 is one of two Directors in this Branch. Each of the Directors will be separately responsible for people management issues and managing projects allocated to each of their teams within the Branch but, together, jointly responsible for the Branch's overall portfolio of projects and its strategic leadership.
The ideal candidate will be a leader in project management and policy development, as well as holding a strong background in capital projects, government leadership, engineering, architecture or other relevant fields.
The Director, Major Projects 2 is responsible for leading the Department's educational infrastructure investment program. Projects are often high-profile or atypical capital investments and schools are delivered under design and construct models.
VSBA identifies complex projects/programs of work as those which have one or more of the following characteristics:
A large number of stakeholders with complex needs
New schools projects or existing school projects valued at over $20M
An undefined scope or site, and/or an overlap with provision planning
Multiple funding partners (other than local councils)
A new regeneration
The role requires working closely and collaboratively with a variety of internal and external stakeholders, including Councils and other sector stakeholders, DE central office and regional leadership teams and key government departments.
Attributes
Key components of this role include:
Leadership
Adapts leadership to reflect the needs of the changing environment and demands
Identifies potential issues and setbacks and guides team to optimise outcomes
Models the behaviours expected of others
Recognises and rewards behaviour that is aligned with the vision and CORE values
Develops and communicates a vision that generates enthusiasm and commitment and aligns with the Department's Strategic Plan
Organisational Awareness
Understands and addresses underlying problems, opportunities or external forces affecti ng the organisation.
Understands the impact of external events and changing stakeholder needs on the organisation and government.
Uses strategic relationships and knowledge to predict and prepare for the impact of events on the organisation
Strategic Planning
Considers the ramifications of issues and long-term impact of work being done, including anticipating and managing risks
Effectively and appropriately develops and uses evidence to support and develop approaches to strategy and policy
Inspires a sense of purpose and direction within context
Develops and implements long-term, complex and multi-phased strategies to build buy-in and support from key internal and external clients or stakeholders
Connecting with People
Manages a broad spectrum of relationships and partnerships within a highly complex multi-stakeholder environment.
Proactively shapes relationships with Ministers, Agency Heads, and key internal and external stakeholders.
Empowers others by investing them with the authority and latitude to accomplish tasks
Builds the capability of others to manage these relationships and empowers others by investing them with the authority and latitude to accomplish tasks.
Project Management
Consults, liaises with and influences key stakeholders
Ensures project objectives are met
Monitors performance against objectives and manages project risks and issues
Produces detailed project plans where objectives are clearly defined and action steps for achieving them are clearly specified
Contract Management
Oversees the management of contracts to ensure timelines, budgets and other objectives are met
Resolves contract difficulties as required
Specialist Procurement Expertise
Procurement Expertise – Demonstrated experience undertaking procurement related roles to deliver savings/benefits across an organisation
Procurement Knowledge - Demonstrated experience working within procurement policies and procedures that align to principles of accountability, scalability, probity and value for money
Resource Management
Oversees development and management of complex budgets with multiple cost centre managers
Anticipates and manages risks
Negotiates for necessary resources from corporate budgets and other sources
Ensures value for investment is achieved
Commercial Acumen
Connects insights from analysis into strategy development, investment advice, and investment prioritisation processes. Ensure each project has a well defined governance structure.
Challenges others to seek more efficient ways of doing things
Decisively manages financial issues and responsibilities, including overseeing development and management of complex budgets with multiple cost centre managers
Focuses on activities and projects that will bring the best long-term return for the organisation
Ensures value for investment is achieved
Results Orientation
Oversees the accuracy of advice and reporting on project planning, project delivery status, benefits and outcomes within project KPI's for a range of stakeholders, including Ministers, the Secretary, senior officers and project teams.
Ensures the team understands and takes ownership of work to execute the organisation's vision and strategy
Maximises effectiveness by selecting, developing, managing and motivating a diverse, high performing team where people feel valued and want to do their best
Clearly defines role expectations, monitors performance, provides timely and constructive feedback, facilitate s employee development (including coaching and training opportunities), and manages conflict effectively
Harnesses others' energy and diverse skills in achieving results
Sets and achieves ambitious goals for themselves and for their group
Conceptual and Analytical Ability
Deals with concepts and complexity comfortably.
Has creative ideas and can project how these can link to innovations and uses analytical and conceptual skills to reason through problems.
Integrity in thought, with people and in self
Displays Victorian Public Sector Values regardless of the situation
Acts as a champion of fair, reasonable and decent treatment of others while respecting the values, beliefs and ideas of others
Is consistently genuine in dealings with others
Willing to provide frank and fearless advice
Displays loyalty for decisions and policies of government
Self Awareness
Demonstrating a high level of self-insight (i.e. knows strengths, development areas and behavioural preferences) and displaying a willingness to learn from feedback and experiences and values performance feedback and modifies behaviour/position as a result of feedback.
Displays a willingness to learn from feedback and experiences, seeks and values performance feedback and modifies behaviour/position as a result of feedback
Self Mastery
Accepts and models a high level of personal responsibility for the performance, development and leadership of themselves and their teams
Demonstrates consistency, composure and self assuredness across situations and manages stress and pressure effectively
Desirable Qualifications and Experience
Tertiary qualifications in relevant discipline and no less than 10 years of project management experience in a construction related industry are essential.
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 Avril Smith via email at [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 Friday 17 April 2026
Applications close Friday 17 April 2026 at 11.59pm
Posted
7 April 2026
Work Type: Fixed-term - Full-time
Salary: $188,297 - $256,088
Grade: VPS 7
Occupation: Construction
Location: Melbourne - CBD and Inner Metro suburbs
Reference: VG/DE/VSBA/1917629
Lead the Department’s educational infrastructure investment program.
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
Major Projects & Property Division is responsible for delivering educational infrastructure projects and programs, including the acquisition and management of land as well as delivery of capital infrastructure projects.
The Major Projects branches are responsible for the management and delivery of major infrastructure projects including new schools, upgrade and modernization initiatives, kinder on school sites and learning centres. We consider successful project delivery to include strong stakeholder relationship management, effective risk and issues management, quality communications strategy and implementation and excellent customer service to all stakeholders.
About the Role
Reporting to the Executive Director, Major Projects and Property Division, Victorian School Building Authority, the Director, Major Projects 2 must be a visible leader in Government infrastructure delivery, have a strong commercial understanding of infrastructure delivery, provide high quality, strategic and timely advice to Ministers, the Secretary and the CEO and manage any significant issues to protect and build awareness and reputation of the work of the Authority.
The Director, Major Projects 2 is one of two Directors in this Branch. Each of the Directors will be separately responsible for people management issues and managing projects allocated to each of their teams within the Branch but, together, jointly responsible for the Branch's overall portfolio of projects and its strategic leadership.
The ideal candidate will be a leader in project management and policy development, as well as holding a strong background in capital projects, government leadership, engineering, architecture or other relevant fields.
The Director, Major Projects 2 is responsible for leading the Department's educational infrastructure investment program. Projects are often high-profile or atypical capital investments and schools are delivered under design and construct models.
VSBA identifies complex projects/programs of work as those which have one or more of the following characteristics:
A large number of stakeholders with complex needs
New schools projects or existing school projects valued at over $20M
An undefined scope or site, and/or an overlap with provision planning
Multiple funding partners (other than local councils)
A new regeneration
The role requires working closely and collaboratively with a variety of internal and external stakeholders, including Councils and other sector stakeholders, DE central office and regional leadership teams and key government departments.
Attributes
Key components of this role include:
Leadership
Adapts leadership to reflect the needs of the changing environment and demands
Identifies potential issues and setbacks and guides team to optimise outcomes
Models the behaviours expected of others
Recognises and rewards behaviour that is aligned with the vision and CORE values
Develops and communicates a vision that generates enthusiasm and commitment and aligns with the Department's Strategic Plan
Organisational Awareness
Understands and addresses underlying problems, opportunities or external forces affecti ng the organisation.
Understands the impact of external events and changing stakeholder needs on the organisation and government.
Uses strategic relationships and knowledge to predict and prepare for the impact of events on the organisation
Strategic Planning
Considers the ramifications of issues and long-term impact of work being done, including anticipating and managing risks
Effectively and appropriately develops and uses evidence to support and develop approaches to strategy and policy
Inspires a sense of purpose and direction within context
Develops and implements long-term, complex and multi-phased strategies to build buy-in and support from key internal and external clients or stakeholders
Connecting with People
Manages a broad spectrum of relationships and partnerships within a highly complex multi-stakeholder environment.
Proactively shapes relationships with Ministers, Agency Heads, and key internal and external stakeholders.
Empowers others by investing them with the authority and latitude to accomplish tasks
Builds the capability of others to manage these relationships and empowers others by investing them with the authority and latitude to accomplish tasks.
Project Management
Consults, liaises with and influences key stakeholders
Ensures project objectives are met
Monitors performance against objectives and manages project risks and issues
Produces detailed project plans where objectives are clearly defined and action steps for achieving them are clearly specified
Contract Management
Oversees the management of contracts to ensure timelines, budgets and other objectives are met
Resolves contract difficulties as required
Specialist Procurement Expertise
Procurement Expertise – Demonstrated experience undertaking procurement related roles to deliver savings/benefits across an organisation
Procurement Knowledge - Demonstrated experience working within procurement policies and procedures that align to principles of accountability, scalability, probity and value for money
Resource Management
Oversees development and management of complex budgets with multiple cost centre managers
Anticipates and manages risks
Negotiates for necessary resources from corporate budgets and other sources
Ensures value for investment is achieved
Commercial Acumen
Connects insights from analysis into strategy development, investment advice, and investment prioritisation processes. Ensure each project has a well defined governance structure.
Challenges others to seek more efficient ways of doing things
Decisively manages financial issues and responsibilities, including overseeing development and management of complex budgets with multiple cost centre managers
Focuses on activities and projects that will bring the best long-term return for the organisation
Ensures value for investment is achieved
Results Orientation
Oversees the accuracy of advice and reporting on project planning, project delivery status, benefits and outcomes within project KPI's for a range of stakeholders, including Ministers, the Secretary, senior officers and project teams.
Ensures the team understands and takes ownership of work to execute the organisation's vision and strategy
Maximises effectiveness by selecting, developing, managing and motivating a diverse, high performing team where people feel valued and want to do their best
Clearly defines role expectations, monitors performance, provides timely and constructive feedback, facilitate s employee development (including coaching and training opportunities), and manages conflict effectively
Harnesses others' energy and diverse skills in achieving results
Sets and achieves ambitious goals for themselves and for their group
Conceptual and Analytical Ability
Deals with concepts and complexity comfortably.
Has creative ideas and can project how these can link to innovations and uses analytical and conceptual skills to reason through problems.
Integrity in thought, with people and in self
Displays Victorian Public Sector Values regardless of the situation
Acts as a champion of fair, reasonable and decent treatment of others while respecting the values, beliefs and ideas of others
Is consistently genuine in dealings with others
Willing to provide frank and fearless advice
Displays loyalty for decisions and policies of government
Self Awareness
Demonstrating a high level of self-insight (i.e. knows strengths, development areas and behavioural preferences) and displaying a willingness to learn from feedback and experiences and values performance feedback and modifies behaviour/position as a result of feedback.
Displays a willingness to learn from feedback and experiences, seeks and values performance feedback and modifies behaviour/position as a result of feedback
Self Mastery
Accepts and models a high level of personal responsibility for the performance, development and leadership of themselves and their teams
Demonstrates consistency, composure and self assuredness across situations and manages stress and pressure effectively
Desirable Qualifications and Experience
Tertiary qualifications in relevant discipline and no less than 10 years of project management experience in a construction related industry are essential.
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 Avril Smith via email at [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 Friday 17 April 2026
Applications close Friday 17 April 2026 at 11.59pm
Posted
7 April 2026
💡 Quick Summary
Seeking a career-building opportunity? The Director, Major Projects position is now open for candidates interested in the Government Job Alert sector. This role in Melbourne offers a professional environment and growth potential.
Requirement Snapshot: Candidates should possess basic communication skills, a proactive attitude, and the ability to work in a team. Experience in Government Job Alert is a plus.
