Program Lead Senior Program Advisor)

Location: Melbourne - CBD and Inner Metro suburbs

Reference: VG/DE/VSBA/

This role will drive efficient program delivery, overseeing program processes, optimising resources, and ensuring consistent and effective communication across stakeholders and program partners. The Program Lead is part of the centralised Essential Safety Measures (ESM) program and plays a critical role in operation and service delivery performance metrics. A strong focus on customer service, stakeholder engagement and problem solving skills is essential to deliver outcomes in a contract driven environment.

About the Role

Leadership responsibilities for VPS team members in the unit. This is a full time ongoing position, classified as a VPSG5.2. The role partners with educational learning facilities and VSBA appointed service providers for Essential Safety Measures, reporting to the Manager of the Facilities Management Unit. Responsibilities include ensuring compliance and performance management, managing contractor relationships, and driving successful service delivery of the ESM program across a diverse statewide programme.

Key Responsibilities

• Build and maintain strong relationships with service providers and stakeholders.
• Manage and monitor contractor performance and delivery.
• Prepare reports on KPIs, program updates, budget, accruals and expenditure.
• Drive continuous improvement in processes.
• Manage service provider claims and program delivery.
• Produce regulatory and risk management reporting.
• Collaborate with internal teams on legal, commercial, procurement and communication matters.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with schools.
• Provide leadership and support to other VPS team members.

Attributes

• Strong critical thinking and problem solving skills, especially when roadblocks arise.
• Flexibility to adapt to change and effectively manage competing priorities.
• Ability to provide clear and concise advice with keen attention to detail.
• Effective communication for strong contract and stakeholder management.
• Report generation from multiple data sources delivering timely, high quality information.
• Solid understanding of dashboard reporting and data analysis.
• Support team members in developing skills and knowledge.
• Future oriented mindset, proactively embracing modern technologies and best practices.
• Knowledge and experience in government systems, procedures, processes, reporting and writing.
• Strong collaborative skills to build relationships with stakeholders, service providers and colleagues across all areas of the department.

Qualifications and Experience

• At least 3 years proven experience in program operations and delivery in facilities and/or asset management.
• Working knowledge and experience in construction, building surveying, facilities and/or asset management industries with an understanding of building regulations (highly desirable).
• Considerable demonstrated experience in a similar role within government (highly desirable).

Flexible Work Expectations

This role has hybrid working arrangements. For full time employees, the department expects 3 days per week in the office, in line with the VPS Agreement 2024 and the same operational requirements: 3 in office days, 2 remote (if full time).

About the Department

The department provides a wide range of learning and development support and services. It provides policy leadership, plans for the future of education in Victoria and leads key cross sector collaboration. The department plays an important system steward role by providing support, guidance, oversight and assurance across early childhood and school education systems, as well as directly providing school education and 50 new early learning centres.

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 programme. The VSBA upgrades and expands existing schools and plans, designs, and builds new schools to meet enrolment demand. It also supports schools to maintain their buildings and grounds by offering expert advice and coordinating maintenance programmes and grants.

About the Division

The Asset Management Division helps schools maintain and manage their buildings and grounds and ensures they are more energy efficient. The Division trains school leaders as facilities managers and supports them to develop school maintenance plans, coordinating programmes, assessments and systems to ensure schools are routinely maintained and cleaned.

Facilities Branch

The Facilities Branch is responsible for implementing and delivering support for all Victorian government schools, kinder and early learning centres through the Essential Safety Measures, Response and School Cleaning programmes. It also supports 24 government schools that are part of the Public Private Partnership programme.

How to apply

Your application must include a current resume and a cover letter (max 2 pages) that addresses the key selection criteria found in the Position Description.

Further Information

For more details regarding this position, please see the 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.

Applications close Wednesday 12 November 2025 at 11:59pm

For further information pertaining to the role, please contact Fiona Missen - Director by phone or email .

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.