Strategy & Project Lead - Early Education

Shape the future of early education. Drive meaningful reform. Create lasting impact.

Are you an experienced Early Education professional ready to influence change beyond the classroom?

Sutherland Shire Council is seeking a Strategy & Project Lead to play a pivotal role in delivering major strategic initiatives that will strengthen our Early Education and Child Protection services. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to system-wide improvements that enhance outcomes for children, families and our community.

Working closely with the Senior Manager – Early Education & Child Protection, you'll help lead high-impact projects including Child Safe reforms, strategic planning, service improvements and organisational transformation. If you enjoy solving complex problems, turning ideas into action and working alongside passionate leaders, we'd love to hear from you.

In this exciting role, you'll:

• Lead and coordinate strategic projects that improve Early Education services.
• Support the implementation of Child Safe reforms across policy, systems, workforce capability and organisational culture.
• Analyse data and translate insights into practical recommendations and decision-making tools.
• Develop high-quality policies, reports, business cases and executive documentation.
• Collaborate with leaders, educators, consultants and corporate teams to deliver key organisational priorities.
• Support the development of Council's Early Years Strategy and organisation-wide Child Safe Action Plan.
• Help drive continuous improvement and sustainable change across the service.

You're a strategic thinker with a passion for improving outcomes for children and families. You enjoy working collaboratively, thrive in complex environments and have the confidence to influence positive change.

You'll bring:

• Qualifications in Early Childhood Education and Care, Child Development, Education, Public Policy, Social Sciences or a related discipline.
• Experience within Early Education and Care or another child-focused service.
• Strong project coordination and strategic planning capability.
• Exceptional analytical skills, including advanced Excel and data interpretation.
• Experience writing policies, reports and business documentation.
• Outstanding communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• The ability to manage multiple priorities while delivering high-quality outcomes.
• A current Working with Children Check.

Experience implementing Child Safe Standards, knowledge of the National Quality Framework or experience in local government will be highly regarded.

Join our Team and Grow with Us!

If you're ready to make a lasting impact through strategy, reform and collaboration, we'd love to hear from you.

• Apply by responding to our online application questions and submitting your resume outlining why we are a great fit!
• Get your application in by 11.59pm: Sunday 23rd August 2026.
• Interview date: Interviews will be facilitated within 2 weeks of job ad closing.
• Package: $111,776 - $124,574 gross p.a. plus 12% superannuation.
• Hours of work: Temporary Full Time. Working 35 hours per week with the option of a 19 day month with an Accrued Day Off (ADO). Position is expected to be available up to 2 years.
• To benefit your wellbeing you will have access to fitness passport, employee assistance program, annual flu shots, health and wellbeing programme and novated lease options.

Suitable candidates are subject to pre-employment screening which includes Reference Checks, Work Rights Verification, Identity and Functional/Medical History Checks, and will also include a Criminal History, Qualification and Working with Children Check. Employment is subject to clearance of all these checks.

Council is a Child Safe Organisation and is committed to ensuring the NSW Government’s Child Safe Standards are incorporated in our procedures, practices, programs, and events.