The Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions is focused on growing Victoria’s prosperity, building the productive capacity of our economy and increasing participation – by creating more opportunities for people through skills and jobs; helping businesses and industries to thrive; and building vibrant communities and regions. For more information, see the DJSIR Strategic Plan 2023-2027.
Our work spans numerous portfolios, supporting departmental ministers and operating across metropolitan, regional and international offices.
The Department welcomes and encourages applications from diverse applicants, including First Peoples, refugees or asylum seekers, people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds, LGBTIQ+ people and people with disability. All roles at DJSIR can be worked flexibly and we offer reasonable adjustments for applicants with disabilities.
The Role
As a senior engagement and strategy professional, you'll provide strategic and operational advice to support the Local Jobs First Commissioner in exercising their statutory powers and functions under the Local Jobs First Act 2003 with a focus on compliance, regulatory oversight, monitoring, and enforcement. This includes the new reforms introduced through the Local Jobs First Amendment Act 2025
Main accountabilities:
-
Provides and receives highly complex, contentious or sensitive information where high levels of negotiation, communication and interpersonal skills are required
-
Subject matter expert that conceptualises, initiates, implements, promotes and evaluates complex and innovative technical programs
- Focuses on understanding stakeholder issues and influencing their views
- Develops policy frameworks within area of expertise or responsibility based on defined organisational priorities
The Team
The position of Manager, Strategy, Engagement and Reporting forms a part of the Industry Development, Construction, Manufacturing and Talent branch within the Industry, Trade and Investment group.
This role is within the Local Jobs First Commissioner's office. The Local Jobs First Act commenced in August 2018 enshrining the Victorian Industry Participation Policy (VIPP) the Major Projects Skills Guarantee (MPSG) and established the role of the Local Jobs First Commissioner. The Commissioner's role is to advocate on behalf of Victorian small and medium enterprises, as well as promoting the employment of apprentices, trainees and cadets on government projects. The Commissioner also oversees compliance with local content and job commitments entered as part of the contractual arrangements for project delivery.
About You
The successful candidate will ideally have the following skills and experience:
-
Stakeholder Engagement: Identifies and manages a range of complex and often competing needs; Facilitates innovative solutions to resolve stakeholder issues.
- Managing People: Role models ethical leadership through decision making and interactions with people; Creates an organisational culture that enables others to perform at their best and achieve outcomes the organisation.
- Influence and Persuasion: Implements complex strategies to build buy-in from key internal and external clients/stakeholders; Effectively negotiates with clients/stakeholders to achieve desired outcomes.
- Critical Thinking and Problem Solving: Considers a broad range of topics (beyond immediate area of work), works across government and at senior levels to develop and deliver sustainable solutions.
Further Information
For a confidential discussion, please contact Barbara Cullen - Manager, Strategy and Policy on 0427 090 577 or barbara.cullen@localjobsfirst.vic.gov.au
The Department is committed to creating and maintaining a child safe organisation. We have zero tolerance of child abuse and are committed to taking the necessary steps to protect children from harm by adopting a preventative, proactive and participatory approach to child safety in accordance with the Child Safe Standards.
Successful candidates will be required to undergo a National Police Records Check prior to commencing employment with the Department. For further information on the position, please refer to the attached position description.
Please note: We are committed to inclusive recruitment. If you require an adjustment to participate in any stage of the recruitment process or have a particular requirement to be communicated with by either telephone or email only, please notify the DJSIR Talent Acquisition Team on 0472 875 685, or via email at recruitment@ecodev.vic.gov.au with the position number in the subject line.
How to Apply
Please click the ‘Apply Now' button.
As part of the application process, you will need to provide a copy of your resume and a cover letter addressing the key selection criteria outlined in the position description.
Applications close at 23:59pm on 22 June 2026.
Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and RegionsMelbourne$143K - $191K (Employer provided)Critical Thinking and Problem Solving: Considers a broad range of topics (beyond immediate area of work), works across government and at senior levels to……24h
NSW GovernmentAustralia$226K - $251K (Employer provided)Through guidance, monitoring and incident coordination, we ensure evidence-based decision making and drive best practice regulation to protect environmental and……7d
Rentokil InitialSouth Brisbane$55K - $57K (Employer provided)Valid manual Australian driver’s licence. Employee cash incentive programs and bonuses. Confidence using mobile phone service apps and tablet.…30d+