The Senior Project Manager is responsible for the delivery of a number of critical projects including technical colleges, new schools, and major expansions that deliver high quality learning environments to support the delivery of contemporary vocational skills training, and teaching and learning in accordance with government and departmental priorities. The Senior Project Manager is a trusted advisor on critical risks, issues and opportunities and plays a key role in analysing, evaluating, and implementing strategies to ensure high risk projects are successfully delivered within the required timeframes and in accordance with Department for Education planning and design standards.

Key Outcomes

1. Lead and manage the development and assessment of high-profile project and related risk and stakeholder engagement plans that clearly define scope and outcomes of projects in order to achieve organisational goals and objectives and government election commitments.
2. Actively work with key internal and external stakeholders to identify and understand project risks, expectations, constraints and advise on relevant agency policies, plans and impacts to operations.
3. Manage and proactively monitor and report on a program of critical projects against agreed project milestones including identifying and mitigating risks, developing strategies to improve and recover the delivery of projects and support the Project Leader in the achievement of objectives relevant to the department.
4. Manage and report on the implementation of stakeholder engagement and communication strategies and plans and establish and maintain strong relationships with key external and internal stakeholders to proactively identify and diffuse sensitive issues.
5. Provide high level leadership and strategic project management advice and expertise to guide, support and negotiate positive outcomes with key stakeholders and clients.
6. Identify, manage and evaluate allocated resources against projects and changes in project requirements and departmental/government policy, procedures, goals and objectives.
7. Develop, utilise and monitor information and strategic networks that contribute to accurate and effective service provision and project operation, including processes to gain feedback and monitor client satisfaction and project outcomes.
8. Prepare timely and accurate advice, high level analysis, research and preparation of appropriate documentation in the context of the delivery of projects and Infrastructure Division core business initiatives.
9. Build and manage strong relationships with site leaders, industry, other Department for Education business units, the Department for Infrastructure and Transport (DIT) and other identified key stakeholders including negotiating and resolving complex and sensitive issues to achieve critical project outcomes within time and budget constraints.
10. Help to maintain a safe and healthy working environment by proactively reporting incidents, hazards and injuries.

Key Competencies

• Project management: Extensive experience in planning, developing, leading and managing a program of high-profile and critical capital works projects within time and cost constraints that achieve government and department objectives.
• High level written and verbal communication: Strong communication and interpersonal skills both written and verbal, including the capacity to convey complex information in a clear, succinct manner while successfully consulting, negotiating, and influencing all stakeholders in a positive manner that fosters collaboration and the delivery of high-quality outcomes.
• Autonomy and analysis: Demonstrated ability to work under broad policy guidelines, independently and as a team member, identify and address problems, determine priorities, implement, evaluate, and manage projects and risks within the framework of agency objectives, and analyse, integrate and report on a range of data and information from a variety of sources, with due regard to policy and political imperatives of the subject matter.
• Strategic engagement: Demonstrated experience in successfully building and maintaining strategic relationships both within a large agency and with stakeholders across government and non-government sectors and leveraging these relationships to achieve results.
• Discipline knowledge: Understanding of key government priorities and policies that impact on the provision of high-quality learning environments and outcomes in South Australia including in-depth knowledge of contemporary project and asset management methodologies, issues, trends, directions and relevant legislation.
• Organisational skills: Demonstrated high-level organisational and time management skills, significant levels of independent judgement, delegated authority, initiative and strategic thinking to manage complex issues and competing priorities under significant time pressures.
• WHS Competency: Demonstrate knowledge and commitment to promoting and creating a safe and inclusive work environment; and the legislative requirements of Equal Opportunity and Work Health and Safety legislation.

Essential: Nil

Desirable: Tertiary or post-secondary qualifications in an appropriate discipline, i.e. Education, Project Management, Asset Management or equivalent experience.

The successful applicant is required to gain a Department for Human Services (DHS) working with children check (WWCC) prior to being employed which is required to be renewed every five years before expiry. The incumbent will be required to undertake RRHAN-EC (Responding to Risks of Harm, Abuse and Neglect - Education Care)
Facilitator Lead (Masterclass) extended course or the online (Fundamentals) course which will be required to be updated every three years. For all other Special Conditions please refer to the Role Description.
People of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent and/or those who have a disability are strongly encouraged to apply.

Enquiries can be addressed to Deb Aukland, Assistant Director, Technical Services via tel: 0417 525 440 or email: [email protected]

Applications must be made through the I Work For SA website. For further information and details on how to apply
for this vacancy, please go to iworkfor.sa.gov.au and search for vacancy number 656553.

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.

Applications close at 16 March 2025.