Description:
Office for Early Childhood DevelopmentJob reference: 670883
Location: 5000 - ADELAIDE
Job status: Long Term Contract
Eligibility: Open to Everyone
Why work with us:
The Office for Early Childhood Development was created to champion change and to help build a system that gives all South Australian children a flying start to life.
Guided by the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Early Childhood Education and Care, the Office for Early Childhood Development is the steward of the early childhood development system in South Australia.
The Office is tasked with a significant responsibility: bringing together a holistic, connected system for early childhood development across South Australia, with the goal of reducing the rate of children entering school developmental vulnerable. Critical to this is the roll-out of universal 3-year-old preschool from 2026, giving every child access to 2 years of teacher-led, play-based early learning before school.
About this role:
Step into the role of Senior Program Officer to support and lead transformative state-wide initiatives. You will engage with key stakeholders, manage critical project dependencies, and lead collaborative efforts across teams to maximize delivery outcomes. This role offers the opportunity to influence change, promote best practices, and ensure the successful implementation of high-impact programs to drive major step change reform in South Australia.
As a Senior Program Officer , you will:
- manage major state-wide initiatives within the OECD Program Management Office (PMO). Drive the PMO as a key enabler that bridges strategy with execution, ensuring alignment of teams, timelines, and outcomes across the organization supporting and enterprise approach to government reform.
- coordinate and map projects/programs across the agency, ensuring alignment with key deliverables and timelines.
- develop and maintain project documentation and systems, including scheduling and timelines.
- identify interdependencies, monitor benefits and KPIs , and evaluate program outcomes.
- provide support, coaching, and advice to project leads and teams on planning, implementation, and evaluation.
- foster collaboration across internal stakeholders to enhance project delivery and strategic alignment.
- promote best practice project management and use of designated tools to support delivery.
- monitor and track data , identifying issues, risks, and key decision points to support informed decision-making by leadership teams.
- facilitate agile practices , including stand-ups and sprints, to drive project outcomes.
- support governance, reporting, and risk management across multiple projects.
- improve project go-live processes , working with change and communications teams.
- contribute to a strategic enterprise approach , supporting change, capability building, and team training.
About you-
If you're passionate about strategic project management and thrive in a fast-paced environment, this is the perfect role for you! Leverage both project and program management fundamentals to drive collaboration, manage key stakeholder relationships, and ensure successful program delivery.
To be successful in this role, you will demonstrate:
- Program & project management expertise – Proven experience managing multiple complex projects using contemporary methodologies. Experience implementing enterprise level organisation PMO framework enhancements or setting up PMO functions.
- Project management systems – Experience in embedding and evolving program structures and practices.
- Governance & evaluation – Ability to maintain and support program governance, risk, and compliance.
- Internal stakeholder engagement – Builds strong relationships with internal teams, executives, and project leads.
- Communication skills – High-level verbal and written communication, especially for complex information and reporting.
- Workplace safety & inclusion – Understanding and promoting Equal Opportunity and WHS legislative requirements.
Role benefits:
The successful candidate will get -
- An opportunity to work at the forefront of early childhood policy development, making a real difference in the lives of children, families, and educators.
- engaging and collaborative work environment with opportunities to build relationships with senior executives, and a variety of stakeholders.
- career development opportunities with hands-on experience in high-impact diverse projects and programs.
- A supportive, team-oriented culture where your contributions are valued, and your professional growth is encouraged.
Application Instructions and Information:
Applications should be made through the IWorkForSA website.
Applicants must submit a CV, Pre-employment Declaration, and a cover letter outlining their suitability against the key selection criteria in the attached Position Description.
Additional Note:
This is a full-time 2-year long term contract role (1.0 FTE) with potential to be made ongoing.
Remuneration:
ASO7-$108,109 -$116,864 (1.0 FTE) per annum, plus superannuation.
Enquiries:
Enquiries can be directed to OECD.PandC@sa.gov.au
Special Conditions:
For all other Special Conditions please refer to the attached Position Description.
Applications close: 25/05/2025 11:45 PM
Attachments:
- Position Description ASO7 Program Manager, Program Management Office.pdf
- Pre-Employment-Declaration_240522.pdf
Flexibility Statement
The South Australian public sector promotes diversity and flexible ways of working including part-time. Applicants are encouraged to discuss the flexible working arrangements for this role.