Reporting to the Manager, School Evaluation and Planning, Asset Allocations Branch, the Senior Project Advisor will work collaboratively across the Victorian School Building Authority (VSBA) to provide strategic advice on school sites and investment priorities across the government school portfolio. The role is responsible for analysing complex site opportunities and constraints, developing evidence-based recommendations to inform infrastructure investment decisions, and contributing to strategic planning across the portfolio.
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
The Asset Planning and Support Division is responsible for leading the statewide planning, prioritisation and support functions that enable effective maintenance and asset management across Victorian government schools and early learning facilities. The division is responsible for building a strong evidence base on asset condition, risk and need, and ensuring schools and early learning services are equipped to understand and manage their asset responsibilities.
The Asset Allocations Branch designs and delivers school-level infrastructure strategies, manages a number of school application-based and maintenance funding programs, allocates modular buildings to address enrolment growth in existing schools, and conducts cost analysis of potential school infrastructure projects.
About the Role
The successful applicant will be a proactive and collaborative professional who is comfortable working autonomously, building strong relationships across government, and providing high-quality analysis to support decision-making. The key accountabilities of the role include:
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Undertaking strategic analysis of school sites, including planning, heritage and other site-specific considerations, to inform investment and infrastructure planning.
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Providing analysis, advice and cost information to support the State Budget process and broader strategic planning activities.
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Preparing evidence-based recommendations and high-quality written advice for senior management and the executive team on investment priorities across the school portfolio.
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Responding to requests for information from the Minister's Office and VSBA executive, including the preparation of briefings, correspondence and strategic advice.
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Building and maintaining productive relationships with stakeholders across the VSBA, the Department and external agencies to support collaborative planning and decision-making.
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Contributing to policy development, continuous improvement initiatives and other strategic projects within the branch.
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Providing leadership, guidance and support across the team as required.
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 ideal candidate will have strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret complex information, provide sound advice and support evidence-based decision-making. They will have ex cellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to build effective relationships and work collaboratively across government.
Desirable Qualifications and Experience
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Desirable: Bachelor's degree any discipline
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Desirable: demonstrated experience similar role within government, including knowledge of planning, heritage or other statutory approval frameworks
Further Information
For more details regarding this position please see attached position description for the capabilities to address in application.
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
Jake Cole: [email protected]
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 (for example large print) due to any viewing difficulties or other accessibility requirements.
Applications close at 11:59 pm on Thursday, 30 July 2026
