Kindergarten Improvement Advisor

About the Department

The department provides a wide range of learning and development support and services.

The department provides policy leadership, plans for the future of education in Victoria and leads key cross-sector collaboration. The department plays an important system steward role by providing support, guidance, oversight and assurance across early childhood and school education systems, as well as directly providing school education and 50 new early learning centres.

About the Branch

The Early Childhood Improvement Branch ensures a dedicated team supports early childhood providers and services in Areas. The Branch has multiple responsibilities, including supporting services with kindergarten programs and the implementation of the Best Start, Best Life reforms, as well as driving improvement in service delivery and outcomes for children across the Early Childhood sector.

About the Role

The position is full-time, fixed-term, located in North Eastern Melbourne - Greensborough. The Kindergarten Improvement Advisor will need to draw on extensive experience and knowledge in an early learning context, early childhood reforms, administration of early childhood services and curriculum delivery. To be successful in this role you should have excellent interpersonal, influencing, and analytical skills. You will possess a strong understanding of quality early childhood pedagogical practices and a strong knowledge of the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework (VEYLDF). You will play a lead role in strengthening early childhood service collaboration, which will ultimately support services through a time of significant reform activity, help create a culture of trust and reflection, and improve transitions for children and families between services and into school.

Key responsibilities of the role include:

• Building strong relationships with funded services.
• Using problem-solving skills and department systems to manage service needs.
• Analysing data and evidence to support educationally disadvantaged children.
• Fostering collaboration between services, schools, and communities.
• Advising on reform delivery and funding allocation.
• Implementing quality assurance measures to ensure early childhood reforms are delivered in line with Departmental requirements.
• Provide advice to Early Childhood Branch Manager on delivery issues, operational perspective, and policy implications.

Attributes

The ideal candidate will have strong project management skills and use their critical thinking and problem-solving skills to provide innovative solutions to complex issues. You will be able to build and develop strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders and work collaboratively within a team. You will also have the capacity to effectively analyse data and utilise this to inform decision making skills and be able to work proactively and independently.

Desirable Qualifications and Experience

Desirable: Relevant tertiary qualification in Early Childhood or a related discipline.

Desirable: Recent relevant experience in an early childhood setting or other clearly relevant and transferable knowledge and skills.

How to Apply

Submit a resume (max. 2 pages) and a cover letter (max. 3 pages) addressing the role attributes and Key Selection Criteria.

Further Information

For more details regarding this position please see attached position description for the capabilities to address in application.

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.

Information about the Department of Education's operations and employment conditions can be located at www.education.vic.gov.au.

For further information pertaining to the role, please contact Priscilla Parodi - Manager, Early Childhood Improvement Branch via ***************@education.vic.gov.au.

Preferred applicants may be required to complete a police check and may be subject to other pre-employment checks. Information provided to the Department of Education will be treated in the strictest confidence.

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.

Applications close 11:59pm on Tuesday 8 September 2026.