About Early Learning Victoria

The Victorian Government is establishing 50 government-owned and operated early learning centres by 2032 as part of the Best Start, Best Life reforms. The centres will offer childcare, Three and Four-Year-Old Kindergarten and Pre-Prep. The centres will provide high-quality, accessible and inclusive early childhood education and care that is child centred, focused on learning through play and in nature, with strong connections to local communities.

The first four centres opened in 2025 at Murtoa College, Eaglehawk North Primary School, Moomba Park Primary School (Fawkner) and Sunshine Primary School.

Early Learning Victoria’s central office is in the Victorian Department of Education. The central team is leading the roll-out of the 50 centres and will support and oversee centre operations once they open.

Staff in the Early Learning Victoria centres will be part of a new Victorian government-employed early childhood workforce. We are committed to creating a supportive and enriching work environment for our employees, offering a range of benefits and opportunities for professional growth and development.

Location Profile

Early Learning Victoria Central Office (East Melbourne)

Salary band - $130,673 - $175,025

· Opportunity to shape the establishment of a new service delivery model

· Public sector employment with fair wages and conditions

· New Victorian government owned and run early learning services

· Brand new centres provide high quality indoor and outdoor spaces for children and staff.

Shape the design and delivery of the new Victorian Government owned and operated Early Learning and Childcare Centres. Make an impact, grow your skills and be part of this exciting initiative.

About the role

The Operational Manager will coordinate Early Learning Victoria’s (ELV) response to high-profile or significant incidents, working closely with the Director Early Learning, Area Managers, and relevant stakeholders to ensure effective response and recovery. You will also support the delivery of cross-centre operational initiatives, including policy and procedure reviews, governance improvements, and change management projects. Collaborating with Centre Directors and ELV teams, you will help enhance service delivery and ensure consistency and alignment across all ELV centres. This role will be based with the ELV central team in East Melbourne and will be expected to travel as required to centre locations. You will collaborate with the ELV Strategy and Planning Division on policy initiatives.

Key responsibilities

· Lead and coordinate ELV’s response to critical incidents, in collaboration with internal and external stakeholders

· Drive and support cross-organisational projects with operational impact, including policy and procedure reviews and implementation of change management initiatives.

· Act as a key liaison between ELV teams, executive leadership, and other departmental areas to ensure consistent, effective communication and alignment across initiatives.

· Support the delivery of the Early Learning business plan, coordinating strategic projects and contributing to improved operational outcomes across all ELV centres.

Experience required will include

· Experience in child and family services.

· People management and leadership experience, with a skill for fostering a high-trust and collaborative culture.

· Effective communication and relationship-building skills with staff, children, families and communities.

· Advanced stakeholder management skills.

· Experience working with vulnerable children and families.

· Experience managing policy projects, from short-term to long-term initiatives.

Qualifications required

· Relevant tertiary degree.

· Current Working with Children's Checks

How to Apply

To be considered for this role you will need to join the Applicant Pool via Schools Jobs Vic. New applicants can create a profile in the Applicant Pool. To apply, follow the steps below:

1. Visit the Careers page.

2. Once on the Careers page, click ‘Apply to join the Applicant Pool’.

3. You will be prompted to register with School Jobs Vic (this will take less than 2 minutes). If you already have a School Jobs Vic account, sign in instead.

4. Follow the step-by-step process and upload your CV/resume and cover letter

5. Make sure to list your preferences including location (Region: Central Office and role type (ELV Area Manager).

6. Submit your application

For more information about the role and Early Learning Victoria please contact Amy Carr, Director of Early Years Services, Early Learning Victoria via [email protected]

Applications close 11:59pm on Tuesday 13 May 2025.

Conditions of Employment

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.

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.

EEO AND OHS Commitment

Applicants seeking part-time employment are encouraged to apply for any teaching service position and, if they are the successful candidate, request a reduced time fraction. Such requests will be negotiated on a case-by-case basis and will be subject to the operational requirements of the school.

The Department of Education is committed to the principles of equal opportunity, and diversity and inclusion for all. We value 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 roles within the Department. The Department recognises that the provision of family friendly, supportive, safe and harassment free workplaces is essential to high performance and promotes flexible work, diversity and safety across all schools and Department workplaces. It is our policy to provide reasonable adjustments for persons with a disability (see Workplace adjustment guidelines).

Additional support and advice on the recruitment process is available to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islanders from the Koorie Outcomes Division (KOD) via [email protected]

Child Safe Standards

Victorian government schools are child safe environments. Our schools actively promote the safety and wellbeing of all students, and all school staff are committed to protecting students from abuse or harm in the school environment, in accordance with their legal obligations including child safe standards. All schools have a Child Safety Code of Conduct consistent with the department's exemplar available at:

https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/child-safe-standards/policy

DE Values

The department's employees commit to upholding the department's Values: Responsiveness, Integrity, Impartiality, Accountability, Respect, Leadership and Human Rights. The department's Values complement each school's own values and underpin the behaviours the community expects of Victorian public sector employees, including those who work in Victorian Government Schools. Information on the department values is available at:

https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/values-department-vps-school-employees/overview