Job Description

An exciting opportunity to join our team and play an important role in the Victorian Academy of Teaching and Leadership (Academy).

At the Academy, we are passionate about meaningful and exciting work that has an impact on education and student outcomes. Our shared purpose is to create and offer evidence-informed professional learning programs, events and initiatives designed to take Victoria's highly skilled teachers and school leaders from great to exceptional and advance the quality and status of teaching and school leadership.   

We care about the quality of our work, demonstrate collective responsibility for continuous improvement and support each other to do the very best we can every day to achieve our goals. 

The Academy is a learning organisation that provides opportunities for employees to grow. We have a positive culture that we are building together, where people feel supported, valued and heard. 

About the Division

The Leadership Excellence Division delivers high quality leadership professional learning to school leaders at all levels. The division includes experts in policy and program management and our workforce includes Principals In Residence on a temporary secondment from schools in several roles. The professional learning portfolio managed and delivered by the Division includes career pathways programs, leadership development programs, capability and disposition development, training programs and coaching and mentoring services. The division is also responsible for implementation of the Victorian Aspiring Principal Assessment (VAPA).

The Leadership Excellence Division works closely with the Academy Services Division and Business Services Divisions for seamless participant support and customer service as well as efficient learning space and technology management. It coordinates statewide program delivery with the Regional Division as required. Program delivery is primarily through contract management with high quality providers, and the division includes specialists in educational leadership theory and practices, including adaptive expertise.

The leadership programs are aligned with the Academy Leadership Excellence Framework, which sets out the practices, capabilities and domains of excellence in educational leadership. All programs are designed in line with high quality professional learning principles.

About the Role

The Manager role in Leadership Excellence Division is responsible for overseeing the management of a team responsible for procurement, design and delivery of high-quality professional learning for school leaders at all levels. The role provides guidance and strategic support throughout the program lifecycle, as well as ensuring alignment with objectives of the Academy and across the department. 

This role includes strategic leadership and project management of the promotion, development, quality assurance, delivery and reporting of programs, including the management of relevant contracts and contractors. It reports to the Director and supports strategic and business initiatives of both the Division and the Academy.

The Leadership Excellence Division provides programs across four key areas:

• Principal Programs, which delivers targeted professional learning that supports the leadership development of school principals and builds capability for implementing school improvement initiatives
• Pathway to Principalship, which delivers targeted professional learning and development opportunities that drive school leadership performance and assess aspiring principals' capabilities for the role of principal.
• The Middle Leaders Program, which delivers targeted professional learning to middle and emerging leaders, aligned to system reform objectives, such as driving workforce excellence, and enhancing literacy and numeracy.
• The Professional Learning Partnerships, which delivers specialised professional learning to diverse participants to enhance and improve student outcomes across rural, regional and metropolitan schools.

The Manager, Leadership Excellence Division, may be required to lead any of these business units.

Capabilities

Can you demonstrate exceptional leadership, innovative thinking, effective communication, and adept problem-solving abilities? You must possess the ability to navigate complex issues and make decisions that impact staff and stakeholders both within and beyond your immediate work area. Your capacity for collaboration, driving continuous improvement, and cultivating genuine relationships will be pivotal for your success. You will also be able to manage people effectively, foster team development, and deliver tangible outcomes.

Desirable Qualifications and Experience

• Experience working in a dynamic, high performing team environment in a large, complex organisation.
• Capacity to make evidence-based decisions that impact and improve operational and strategic functions.
• Strong knowledge and understanding of professional learning principles, project and contract management, stakeholder engagement and public policy procedures and frameworks.
• Proven ability to effectively engage and build positive relationships with internal and external stakeholders at all levels through effective communication and exceptional consulting abilities.
• Effective problem-solving skills to resolve complex program issues that may arise.
• A qualification in Education, Project Management, Learning Design or similar is beneficial but not mandatory.

Further Information

This position is fixed term from 14 July to 1 May 2026.

Please respond by submitting a cover letter, supported by a maximum 2-page response to the key selection criteria and a recent CV/Resume.

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 Kendra Parker, Director Leadership Excellence, via phone (03) 7008-8240 or kendra.parker@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.