SM1 Manager, Corporate Services

Office for Early Childhood Development
Job reference: 855033
Location: 5000 - ADELAIDE
Job status: Long Term Contract
Eligibility: Open to Everyone

Why work with us: 

The Office for Early Childhood Development was created to champion change and to help build a system that gives all South Australian children a flying start to life.

Guided by the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Early Childhood Education and Care, the Office for Early Childhood Development is the steward of the early childhood development system in South Australia.

The Office is tasked with a significant responsibility: bringing together a holistic, connected system for early childhood development across South Australia, with the goal of reducing the rate of children entering school developmentally vulnerable. Critical to this is the roll-out of universal 3-year-old preschool from 2026, giving every child access to 2 years of teacher-led, play-based early learning before school by 2032.

About this role: 

Reporting to the Director, Enterprise Services, the Manager, Corporate Services will provide strategic and tactical oversight of the Corporate Services team, including its direction, governance and performance expectations.

The Corporate Services team is responsible for managing the outcomes and service delivery of key functions within the Office for Early Childhood Development, including People and Culture, Recruitment, Business Services, Procurement and Office Management.

Your Key Responsibilities: 

• Lead and manage a high-performing team within a complex reform environment to ensure agency objectives are met.
• Coordinate high-level advice on assigned team initiatives that drive continuous improvement, enhancing and developing complex business systems, processes and communication activities.
• Lead the delivery of high-quality outcomes and service continuity across staff management and office operations.
• Support the Director to supply divisional oversight and management of processes, planning and policy to aid strategic staffing, information management, accommodation, assets, communications, organisational culture, change management and professional learning.

About you:

You will bring extensive experience in applying contemporary project and risk management frameworks, methodologies and government policy, supported by strong communication skills that foster relationships across the agency, including with senior leaders and Executives. 

To be successful in this role, we are looking for someone who brings:

• Extensive experience in delivering and applying strategic and creative thinking to lead, manage and motivate a high-performing team to deliver critical priorities.
• Highly developed interpersonal and relationship management skills with the proven ability to build and sustain effective partnerships across senior internal and external stakeholders.
• Proven high-level capacity to work strategically and effectively under very broad direction.
• Demonstrated ability to analyse systems and develop quality standards.

Role Benefits: 

• Opportunities for professional development and career growth within the public sector
• Work with senior officials across government and early childhood sectors.
• Be part of an agency with a clear mission to improve the lives of South Australia’s children and families.
• Access to valuable salary sacrifice benefits like car leases, portable electronic devices, mobile phones, airline lounge memberships, self-education expenses, and more. Ask us about how you can make your salary go further working at the OECD.
• Access to flexible working arrangements to get that work life balance.

  

Application Instructions and Information:

Applications should be made through the IWorkForSA website.

Applicants must submit a CV, Pre-employment Declaration, and a cover letter outlining their suitability against key competencies within the attached position description.

Remuneration:

SM1 - $144,421 (1.0 FTE) per annum, plus superannuation.

Additional Note:

This is a full-time 2-year long term contract role (1.0 FTE) with potential to be made ongoing.

Enquiries:

Enquiries can be directed to **********@sa.gov.au

Special Conditions:

For all other special conditions please refer to the attached position description.

Applications close: 06/09/2026 11:45 PM

Attachments:
- Position Description - SM1 Manager, Corporate Services.pdf
- Pre-employment Declaration.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.