Program Manager - WA ClassmAIte

This is a fixed term, full-time position commencing October 2026 up until May, 2028 with possible extension (12 months) and/or permanency

The Enterprise Governance and Partnerships Division drives high performance at a system level by providing senior leaders with visibility and assurance of system performance and improvement initiatives and confidence in the managing of key external partnerships. We do this by:

• developing and maintaining effective partnerships to support strategic alignment and positive relationships both within and external to the Department, including with higher and international education stakeholders;
• ensuring strategic responses and projects are delivered within expectations underpinned by quality project and program management methodologies;
• improving oversight of high-level strategic priorities and projects through increased visibility and quality assurance;
• aligning governance standards to the strategic significance and complexity of initiatives;
• supporting evidence-based decision making through effective use of intelligence and data

The Role

This is a unique opportunity to contribute to an innovative and high-profile project that has the potential to significantly reduce teacher and school leader workload while maintaining high quality learning experiences for students. We are seeking an experienced, strategic leader to join us as the Program Manager – WA ClassmAIte®. WA ClassmAIte® is an agentic AI platform designed to support teachers and school leaders. Developed and delivered as a cross-sectoral project, our co-designed platform has drawn national and international interest.

As Program Manager you will undertake a leadership and advocacy role, supporting the ongoing design, development, delivery, governance and evaluation of the platform. You will lead a small team of specialists within the Department of Education, using project management methodology to achieve project milestones, foster partnerships and coordinate cross-sectoral efforts.

The pilot platform supports teachers from Pre-primary to Year 10 to efficiently develop quality, differentiated lesson plans and sequences. In addition, school leaders have the benefit of accessing a safeguarded general chat feature.

You will deliver results using your highly-developed interpersonal and negotiation skills, building and maintaining effective relationships at all levels of the organisation and with partners and other external stakeholders. You will apply critical and creative thinking to resolve issues and remove roadblocks. Your well-developed organisational and time management skills and high attention to detail will ensure smooth and effective program management within tight timeframes.

Your flexible, professional writing style will ensure that all relevant stakeholders are briefed appropriately and kept informed as the project is implemented — including school staff, the Department’s senior leadership team and the Minister for Education.

This role is ideal for a capable public sector leader who wants to make a difference for teachers and school leaders. You will balance the development of an AI platform that promotes high quality lesson design with an understanding of the Department’s authorising environment, ensuring that program delivery is pragmatic, streamlined and efficient.

Professional Benefits

We are conveniently located in East Perth and our employees enjoy a range of benefits which include: 

• 12% employer contributed superannuation.
• Flexible working arrangements are genuinely considered to create healthy work life balance including; working from home or remote, flexible working hours and part-time arrangements
• Generous leave entitlements including annual, personal, long service and parental leave
• Professional development opportunities and study leave/assistance
• Access to salary packaging (in accordance with relevant industrial instruments)
• Enjoy easy access to public transport with the Claisebrook train station just a 5-minute walk away or, take advantage of the free Yellow Cat bus service that stops outside our building entrance. Additionally, various CPP parking locations are within walking distance.

Want to know more?

Full details of the role, selection criteria and training requirements are listed in the attached Job Description Form (JDF).

For more information about this opportunity, please contact Milanna Heberle, Executive Director Enterprise Governance and Partnerships on 0407 025 *** or ***************@education.wa.edu.au

Agency Referrals: Public sector agencies seeking to refer surplus employees should contact Recruitment at ***************@education.wa.edu.au during the advertising period. 

We are committed to building the leadership capability of our people (Building Leadership Impact).

Equity and Diversity

We are committed to an inclusive and culturally responsive workforce reflecting the diversity in our workplaces and the Western Australian community. We welcome and encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, young people, people of diverse sexualities and genders, people with disability, and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

Explore our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Plan 2021-2025 for more details.

Eligibility

To work with us, you must: 

• be an Australian or New Zealand citizen, permanent resident or have a valid visa with relevant work rights for the term of the appointment.
• consent to a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check and obtain a current Screening Clearance Number issued by the Department of Education’s Screening Unit before you start.

More information about employment eligibility can be found on our website and in the attached Job Description Form (JDF).

Application Instructions

Apply online in two easy steps:

Step 1: Select Apply for Job

Complete the online application form, including details of two (2) work related referees, preferably one being your current line manager.

Step 2: Attach your documents

Your application should include: 

• A CV of up to three (3) pages outlining your employment history and professional learning summary relevant to this position
• A five (5) page statement addressing the following selection criteria as outlined in the attached JDF:

Implements and manages strategy

• translate strategy into operational goals and create a shared sense of purpose within the business unit
• engage others in the strategic direction of the work area, encourage their contribution, and communicate expected outcomes
• consider the ramifications of a wide range of issues, anticipate priorities and develop long term plans for the work area
• understand objective, critical analysis and distil the core issues.

Achieves results

• evaluate ongoing project and program performance and identify critical success factors
• establish clear plans and timeframes for project implementation and outline specific activities
• strive to achieve and encourage others to do the same
• monitor progress and identify risks that may impact outcomes and adjust plans as required.

Builds productive relationships

• build and sustain relationships with a network of key people internally and externally
• recognise shared agendas and work toward mutually beneficial outcomes
• bring people together and encourage input from key stakeholders.

Exemplifies personal integrity and self-awareness

• act professionally and impartially at all times and operate within the boundaries of
• organisational processes and legal and public policy constraints
• take personal responsibility for meeting objectives and progressing work and commit
• energy and drive to see that goals are achieved
• persist and focus on achieving objectives even in difficult circumstances.

Communicates and influences effectively

• confidently present information in a clear, concise and articulate manner and translate information for others
• approach negotiations with a strong grasp of key issues, having prepared well in advance
• anticipate the position of the other party and adapt approaches accordingly
• encourage the support of relevant stakeholders

It is recommended you have your attachments ready before selecting Apply for Job.

Your application must be received before the closing date and time. Late applications will not be accepted.

For technical support submitting your application, you can call the Department of Education’s Recruitment team on (08) 9264 41***for assistance.

Advertised Vacancy Number: DOE1062691

The Department applies a four (4) day breach period to this selection process.

Applications close: 4.30pm (AWST) on Monday, 31 August 2026