Senior Project Officer

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

Asset Management Division  

The Asset Management Division is responsible for setting VSBA's strategic asset direction, developing and implementing programs that address accessibility, inclusion and accommodation initiatives, and building school capability and capacity to manage assets. 

The Maintenance Delivery Branch oversees the delivery of projects funded under the Planned Maintenance Program (PMP) including; hydraulic fire services system upgrades, disability access audit upgrades, shelter in place projects, planned asbestos removal and other asset management functions as required. 

About the Role

The Senior Project Officer role sits within the Maintenance Delivery Branch.  The purpose of this role is to support effective program delivery in a fast-paced environment through efficient end to end project management of multiple maintenance projects at Victorian Government schools.  The role has a strong focus on customer service and collaborative stakeholder management, and supports the manager in maintaining a positive team culture in line with the branch business plan.  The role provides opportunities for project management improvements and strategic decision-making. 

The key responsibilities of this role are to:

• Managing and coordinating the execution of maintenance delivery projects, over all aspects of the project lifecycle including maintenance, minor works and DDA compliance projects in schools around the state of Victoria
• Coordination of Consultants and Contractors engaged in the delivery process of maintenance works and compliance-based projects in schools around the state of Victoria.
• Subject matter expertise in project managing building and construction projects and sound knowledge of DDA compliance, including a strong understanding of AS1428 and its application to access and egress.
• Negotiating with, and influencing, stakeholders involved in the project delivery process including the implementation of timely and appropriate communications with school principals and other key school stakeholders.
• Monitoring and driving project outcomes, including time, cost, quality and compliance for construction projects with accurate reporting based on credible, authoritative and well-evidenced advice that support successful project outcomes. 
• Establishing and maintaining effective relationships with diverse industry professionals to manage risks and resolve issues that may impact successful project and program delivery.
• Collaborating with internal teams on implementation of construction projects.

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

The candidate must have experience in:

• managing projects through all stages, including feasibility, procurement, execution, and completion, with a strong ability to adhere to timelines and budgets
• Ability to effectively coordinate with consultants, contractors, and other stakeholders to ensure smooth delivery of maintenance and compliance projects
• Strong skills in negotiating with and influencing stakeholders, including the ability to communicate clearly and appropriately with school principals and other key figures
• Competence in monitoring project performance with respect to time, cost, quality, and compliance, and providing well-evidenced, authoritative reports to support successful project outcomes
• Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with diverse industry professionals, to manage risks and resolve issues

Desirable Qualifications and Experience

Essential:

• Relevant advanced degree in fields such as Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management, Project Management, or a related field.
• Proven experience in managing high volume maintenance and construction projects, ideally in a similar sector such as education or public infrastructure.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to produce detailed briefs and reports.
• Experience effectively managing consultants, contractors, stakeholders, clients and other project participants (variety of stakeholders) throughout the life of the project in a professional and engaged manner.
• Experience in ensuring projects are delivered within organisation defined systems and processes while meeting time, quality and budgets.

Desirable:

• Experience with Construction Project Management Software such as Aconex and Oracle Primavera Cloud

Flexible Work Expectations:

For full-time employees, the department expects 3 days per week in the office, in line with the VPS Agreement 2024. This role follows those same operational requirements: 3 in-office days, 2 remote (if full-time).

How to apply

Your application will need to include a Current Resume and a Cover Letter (max 2 pages) which addresses the key selection criteria you can find in the Position Description

Further Information

For more details regarding this position please see attached position description.

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 Tanya Tuke - Senior Manager, Maintenance via ••••@education.vic.gov.au

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 26th August 2026