Join us to make a difference for all students in NSW!

Position details

• Clerk Grade 11/12
• Ongoing, Full-time
• Close to Wynyard station & hybrid work arrangements available

About the role

The Principal Project Manager is a new role that leads and manages teams to deliver, monitor and evaluate NAPLAN in NSW, to achieve project outcomes, and support achievement of organisational objectives.

This is not an IT project management role. This role is focused on business operations, not software or IT systems.

On a day-to-day basis you will be responsible for:

• Managing the delivery of NAPLAN, identifying interdependencies and leveraging resources to maximise efficiencies and achieve required organisational outcomes.
• Leading all aspects of project development and implementation across a portfolio of complex projects.
• Developing and implementing strategies and tools for the continuous monitoring and evaluation of projects.
• Leading and managing team/s, including internal and external project staff, to deliver all key project/s milestones and outcomes.

Our ideal candidate will have:

• Extensive experience as a Project Manager who has assisted with developing large, complex operational projects.
• Project management qualification, or equivalent experience including risk and issue management.
• Experience in developing project plans, project controls and other artefacts; using project management software.
• Great communication skills to engage and collaborate with other project managers representing external stakeholders.
• Experience achieving multiple project objectives, given limited resources and tight deadlines.
• Knowledge and understanding of how to guide teams through change.

Essential Requirements:

• Willingness to work outside of normal business hours and at other Sydney locations during peak periods.
• 3 days per week from office. Successful candidate is required to work from office full-time during peak periods.
• A current NSW Working with Children Check (WWCC) clearance for paid employment. (not required at the application stage, but is required prior to commencement in the role and the cost is borne by the applicant)

Download the role description.

About us

At the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) we work with the NSW community to drive improvements in student achievement.

We achieve this by supporting all school sectors with high-quality syllabuses, assessment (including managing the HSC and NAPLAN), teaching standards (e.g., accrediting teachers) and school environments (including setting and monitoring school standards).

To find out more about the important work we do for NSW visit our website.

Ready to join us?

Select apply and attach an up-to-date résumé (maximum 5 pages) and a cover letter (maximum 2 pages). Also address the 2 targeted questions below in your online application:

• Targeted Question 1: In reference to a project with multiple workstreams where you were the lead Project Manager, describe the approach you took to ensuring that the project was well planned and executed. Include reference to how you monitored deviations from planned timelines. (500-word max)
• Targeted Question 2: In reference to a project with multiple internal and external stakeholders who contributed to project timelines and where you were the lead Project Manager, provide an overview of how you incorporated timelines from multiple sources, negotiated timelines to meet the project requirements and satisfied your stakeholders’ concerns and needs. (500-word max)

Advice on applying for NSW Public Sector roles

If you need reasonable adjustments for the recruitment process and workplace, please reach out to the contact person above.

Close date: 3rd September 2025 at 11.59pm AEST

Thank you for your interest, we look forward to receiving your application.

Important information

We particularly welcome applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with a disability, people of all ages, genders, cultural and linguistic backgrounds, the LGBTQIA+ community, veterans and refugees.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. For ongoing roles, you must be an Australian or New Zealand citizen or an Australian Permanent Resident. Australian Temporary Residents may be considered for a fixed term contract for the length of their visa, depending on the requirements of the hiring area and the position.

A Talent Pool (valid for 18 months) may be created for future ongoing and temporary roles.