Director, Skills Investment & Engagement

Department of State Development
Job reference: 854755
Location: 5000 - ADELAIDE
Job status: Long Term Contract
Eligibility: Open to Everyone

Shaping the future workforce of South Australia.

• Lead SA’s strategic investment in skills, workforce capability and future industries.
• Build trusted relationships that influence government, industry and the VET sector.
• Lead a high-profile executive portfolio driving skills investment and economic growth.

At Davidson, we're proud to continue our partnership with the South Australian Government in identifying exceptional executive leaders who make a genuine difference to the future of our State.

On behalf of the Department of State Development and Skills SA, we are seeking an accomplished executive to lead one of South Australia's most strategically important skills investment portfolios.

This is an opportunity to influence where government invests in workforce capability, helping ensure South Australia's future skills pipeline supports defence, advanced manufacturing, construction, clean energy, health, education, emerging industries and economic growth.

The Opportunity

Reporting to the Executive Director, Skills SA, you will lead the State's approach to skills investment and industry engagement, balancing commercial judgement, evidence-based decision making and meaningful stakeholder relationships.

While investment strategy and economic modelling remain central to the role, your success will ultimately be measured by your ability to build genuine partnerships across government, industry and the vocational education sector.

You will build and strengthen relationships across the vocational education and training sector, working collaboratively with Registered Training Organisations, TAFE SA, Group Training Organisations, industry bodies, employers and government to ensure Skills SA is recognised as a trusted, responsive and strategic partner.

You'll oversee significant investment programs, provide strategic advice to senior executives and government, lead a high-performing team and help shape workforce capability across South Australia.

About You

You are a commercially minded executive who combines strategic thinking with exceptional relationship management.

You understand how government investment decisions are made and can confidently balance economic evidence with practical stakeholder outcomes.

You are equally comfortable discussing investment priorities with economists as you are building trusted partnerships with industry leaders, training providers and senior government stakeholders.

Most importantly, you are someone who creates confidence, brings people together and builds lasting relationships.

You will bring experience in areas such as:

• Government investment or commissioning
• Economic development or industry policy
• Workforce planning or capability development
• Grant funding or major investment programs
• Strategic partnerships and stakeholder engagement
• Vocational education, industry or related sectors

Candidates from outside the traditional VET environment are encouraged to apply where they can demonstrate strong commercial acumen, strategic leadership and an ability to build trusted relationships across complex stakeholder environments.

Why this role?

Few executive opportunities provide the ability to influence the future workforce capability of an entire State.

This appointment offers the opportunity to shape investment decisions that will support South Australia's economic priorities, including defence and AUKUS, advanced manufacturing, major infrastructure, clean energy and future industries.

If you're motivated by purpose, influence and the opportunity to leave a lasting legacy, we'd welcome a confidential discussion.

For a confidential conversation or to access the success profile for the role, please contact:

Sam Wallace Partner – Executive Search & Advisory on 0437 313*** or ***********@davidsonwp.com

Applications close: 23/08/2026 11:00 PM

Attachments:
- Pre-Employment-Declaration_240522.pdf
- Role Statement - SAES1 Director Skills Investment and Engagement.pdf

Flexibility Statement
The South Australian public sector promotes diversity and flexible ways of working including part-time. Applicants are encouraged to discuss the flexible working arrangements for this role.