Job Description
Location
Melbourne City Centre VIC
Full job description
About the Department
The role of the Department of Education is to support Victorians to build prosperous, socially engaged, happy and healthy lives. It does this by supporting lifelong learning and healthy development, strengthening families and helping to equip people with the skills and knowledge for a 21st century economy and society.
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 Strategy and Planning Division is responsible for the VSBA's operating framework, investment strategy, policy setting, asset information management, budget strategy and coordination, along with the delivery of specific school strategies, costings, allocate resources for growth, maintenance, and projects through school application- based programs. The Division also plans and co-ordinates delivery of new early childhood facilities and support for the wider early childhood sector to build, improve and upgrade infrastructure through a number of grants programs, including programs which provide funding to make kindergartens for inclusive for children of all abilities.
The Sector Partnerships & Grants branch supports the planning and coordination for the delivery of infrastructure needed for the successful implementation of the Three-Year-Old Kindergarten and Pre-Prep reforms. To support this work, the branch delivers a number of grant programs to the early childhood and non-government schools sectors. Grants available to the sector plan and build new kindergartens, as well as maintain, improve and upgrade existing infrastructure. This work is also undertaken in partnership with the sector to develop pipelines of kindergarten capacity-building projects through Building Blocks Partnerships. The Sector Partnerships & Grants branch also supports the non-government school sector to deliver the 21st century learning facilities that every student deserves. The branch delivers grants to low-fee Catholic and independent schools to expand and upgrade existing schools, as well as to plan and build new non-government schools across the state.
The Sector Partnerships Units delivers the `Building Blocks Partnerships' program which agrees pipeline of projects between the Department and Councils, non-government school organisations, and not-for-profit providers to support the delivery of Three-Year-Old Kindergarten and Pre-Prep. They also Deliver the $250 million election commitment to deliver 60 kindergartens with the non-government schools sector. Building Blocks Program (BBP). The Building Blocks Program is a planning and funding program run by the Victorian Government to help deliver the early childhood infrastructure Victoria needs to support the Three-Year-Old and Pre-Prep Kindergarten reform. This includes strengthened partnerships with local councils and other kindergarten providers, a single streamlined grants program, and the construction and delivery of new kindergartens on or next to school sites. The Building Blocks grants program replaces the previous Children's Facilities Capital and Inclusive Kindergarten's Facilities Program for funding capital improvements. Building Blocks will retain those goals and be better equipped to grow the capacity needed for the Three-Year-Old Kindergarten reform and increasing demand for more kindergarten places for four-year-old's.
Building Blocks Partnerships (BBPs)are strategic, in-principle agreements between State Government and Councils, non-government school organisations, or not-for-profit providers to deliver funded kindergarten places via infrastructure investment projects. The objectives of BBPs are to provide greater funding certainty for both the State Government and partners about co-investment intentions in a forward pipeline of kindergarten infrastructure. Support the State Government and partners to forward plan their infrastructure budgets and deliver facilities in line with kindergarten enrolment growth, and support the successful roll out of the reform by identifying projects that will facilitate the delivery of additional kindergarten capacity over a multi-year period
About the Role
Fixed Term (Maternity leave), Full time opportunity
As Manger Sector Partnerships 2, you will be responsible for leading a team to support the implementation of the infrastructure component of the Three-Year-Old Kindergarten implementation reform and the Best Start, Best Life reform program. This is a leadership role within the organisation, and will be part of the leadership team of the Branch.The Manager will have a high degree of autonomy, and will be self motivated and driven to produce results through collaboration. Candidates will have proven policy development and implementation experience, preferably relating to supporting delivery of complex government grant programs. Candidates will also be able to demonstrate their ability to lead teams, and work confidently and constructively with key internal/external stakeholders to ensure the successfully delivery of the government's Kindergarten Reform agenda.
Key accountabilities of the Manager, Sector Partnerships 2 include:
Engaging with kindergarten service providers to develop a pipeline of projects to meet long-term demand.
Understanding kindergarten demand profiles and local pressures and ensuring that BBPs are agreed ahead of when demand appears.
Working with the Non-Government school sector and not-for-profit providers to scope and plan projects to meet the commitment and support Three and Four-Year-Old kindergarten demand.
Taking a leadership role in coaching and mentoring junior staff in the team.
Work collaboratively across the Branches to incorporate all key data and information into reports, briefs, correspondence and other critical reporting and governance
Manage effective relationships and communications with key stakeholders internally and externally on the development and delivery of grants.
Supplying expert advisory and support services to internal/external stakeholders on matters relating to the operation of the grants program and fund allocation process.
Liaise, advise, and negotiate effectively with senior officers of central agencies, other government departments, LGAs and other parties regarding the identification, implementation, and delivery of BBPs.
Utilise project management skills and experience aligned to the key objectives of the program.
Work with management to implement a culture of continuous improvement.
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.
Attributes
Candidates will also be able to demonstrate their ability to work confidently and constructively with key internal/external stakeholders in an expert advisory capacity to ensure the effective delivery of the early childhood infrastructure program.
Desirable Qualifications and Experience
Desirable : Bachelor's degree Business/Commerce studies
Desirable : considerable/demonstrated experience similar role within government
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 Hiring Contact: Bonnie Swan on 03 7022 5603
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 Wednesday 30 July 2026.
Melbourne City Centre VIC
Full job description
About the Department
The role of the Department of Education is to support Victorians to build prosperous, socially engaged, happy and healthy lives. It does this by supporting lifelong learning and healthy development, strengthening families and helping to equip people with the skills and knowledge for a 21st century economy and society.
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 Strategy and Planning Division is responsible for the VSBA's operating framework, investment strategy, policy setting, asset information management, budget strategy and coordination, along with the delivery of specific school strategies, costings, allocate resources for growth, maintenance, and projects through school application- based programs. The Division also plans and co-ordinates delivery of new early childhood facilities and support for the wider early childhood sector to build, improve and upgrade infrastructure through a number of grants programs, including programs which provide funding to make kindergartens for inclusive for children of all abilities.
The Sector Partnerships & Grants branch supports the planning and coordination for the delivery of infrastructure needed for the successful implementation of the Three-Year-Old Kindergarten and Pre-Prep reforms. To support this work, the branch delivers a number of grant programs to the early childhood and non-government schools sectors. Grants available to the sector plan and build new kindergartens, as well as maintain, improve and upgrade existing infrastructure. This work is also undertaken in partnership with the sector to develop pipelines of kindergarten capacity-building projects through Building Blocks Partnerships. The Sector Partnerships & Grants branch also supports the non-government school sector to deliver the 21st century learning facilities that every student deserves. The branch delivers grants to low-fee Catholic and independent schools to expand and upgrade existing schools, as well as to plan and build new non-government schools across the state.
The Sector Partnerships Units delivers the `Building Blocks Partnerships' program which agrees pipeline of projects between the Department and Councils, non-government school organisations, and not-for-profit providers to support the delivery of Three-Year-Old Kindergarten and Pre-Prep. They also Deliver the $250 million election commitment to deliver 60 kindergartens with the non-government schools sector. Building Blocks Program (BBP). The Building Blocks Program is a planning and funding program run by the Victorian Government to help deliver the early childhood infrastructure Victoria needs to support the Three-Year-Old and Pre-Prep Kindergarten reform. This includes strengthened partnerships with local councils and other kindergarten providers, a single streamlined grants program, and the construction and delivery of new kindergartens on or next to school sites. The Building Blocks grants program replaces the previous Children's Facilities Capital and Inclusive Kindergarten's Facilities Program for funding capital improvements. Building Blocks will retain those goals and be better equipped to grow the capacity needed for the Three-Year-Old Kindergarten reform and increasing demand for more kindergarten places for four-year-old's.
Building Blocks Partnerships (BBPs)are strategic, in-principle agreements between State Government and Councils, non-government school organisations, or not-for-profit providers to deliver funded kindergarten places via infrastructure investment projects. The objectives of BBPs are to provide greater funding certainty for both the State Government and partners about co-investment intentions in a forward pipeline of kindergarten infrastructure. Support the State Government and partners to forward plan their infrastructure budgets and deliver facilities in line with kindergarten enrolment growth, and support the successful roll out of the reform by identifying projects that will facilitate the delivery of additional kindergarten capacity over a multi-year period
About the Role
Fixed Term (Maternity leave), Full time opportunity
As Manger Sector Partnerships 2, you will be responsible for leading a team to support the implementation of the infrastructure component of the Three-Year-Old Kindergarten implementation reform and the Best Start, Best Life reform program. This is a leadership role within the organisation, and will be part of the leadership team of the Branch.The Manager will have a high degree of autonomy, and will be self motivated and driven to produce results through collaboration. Candidates will have proven policy development and implementation experience, preferably relating to supporting delivery of complex government grant programs. Candidates will also be able to demonstrate their ability to lead teams, and work confidently and constructively with key internal/external stakeholders to ensure the successfully delivery of the government's Kindergarten Reform agenda.
Key accountabilities of the Manager, Sector Partnerships 2 include:
Engaging with kindergarten service providers to develop a pipeline of projects to meet long-term demand.
Understanding kindergarten demand profiles and local pressures and ensuring that BBPs are agreed ahead of when demand appears.
Working with the Non-Government school sector and not-for-profit providers to scope and plan projects to meet the commitment and support Three and Four-Year-Old kindergarten demand.
Taking a leadership role in coaching and mentoring junior staff in the team.
Work collaboratively across the Branches to incorporate all key data and information into reports, briefs, correspondence and other critical reporting and governance
Manage effective relationships and communications with key stakeholders internally and externally on the development and delivery of grants.
Supplying expert advisory and support services to internal/external stakeholders on matters relating to the operation of the grants program and fund allocation process.
Liaise, advise, and negotiate effectively with senior officers of central agencies, other government departments, LGAs and other parties regarding the identification, implementation, and delivery of BBPs.
Utilise project management skills and experience aligned to the key objectives of the program.
Work with management to implement a culture of continuous improvement.
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.
Attributes
Candidates will also be able to demonstrate their ability to work confidently and constructively with key internal/external stakeholders in an expert advisory capacity to ensure the effective delivery of the early childhood infrastructure program.
Desirable Qualifications and Experience
Desirable : Bachelor's degree Business/Commerce studies
Desirable : considerable/demonstrated experience similar role within government
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 Hiring Contact: Bonnie Swan on 03 7022 5603
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 Wednesday 30 July 2026.
💡 Quick Summary
Seeking a career-building opportunity? The Manager Sector Partnerships position is now open for candidates interested in the MIS Executive 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 MIS Executive is a plus.