Office for Early Childhood Development
Job reference:******
Location:**** - ADELAIDE
Job status:Long Term Contract
Eligibility:Open to EveryoneWhy work with
us:
The
Office for Early Childhood Development has been formed with a transparent
mandate: to create a fairer and better future for all children in
South Australia by implementing the accepted recommendations of the
Royal Commission into Early Childhood Education and
Care.
As the
steward of the early childhood development system, the Office will
act on government's behalf, and work in collaboration with the
sector, to organise and connect the system to reduce developmental
vulnerability.
This
includes providing universal access to quality, teacher-led
preschool from the age of 3, growing and sustaining a quality early
childhood workforce, and greater supports and connected services
for families in the **** days of a child's
life.
About this
role:
The
Program Manager, Preschool Boost and Inclusion will lead the
design, planning and strategic development and implementation of
significant reform activities.
This role
provides strategic and tactical oversight of the Preschool Boost
team, including its direction, governance and performance
expectations, ensuring activities are appropriately prioritised,
delivered and aligned with agency outcomes.
Preschool
Boost is a funding program designed to help Flying Start partner
services to do more to address developmental vulnerability and
improve outcomes for 3- and 4-year-old children, their families and
communities.
The team
manages the Preschool Boost Menu of pre-approved quality child
development supports, and is also responsible for an Inclusion
program of work, developing additional resources and tools for
services to support children with additional needs.
This team is
a part of the Participation, Integration and Inclusion Division,
responsible for leading the design and delivery of additional
supports to unlock the potential of all children through a range




of targeted and universal programs linked to preschool.
Your Key
Responsibilities:
Lead
and manage the implementation of a complex program of critical
system-wide early childhood reforms and initiatives across the
team, including the development and oversight of strong
relationships and strategic networks.
Provide strategic
design and planning input, leading the collection, analysis and
reporting of data on the performance and implementation of
early childhood initiatives, ensuring risks, issues and
opportunities are identified and communicated to executives in
a timely manner.
Provide project
management and leadership to complex reform projects, ensuring
a high level of quality, adherence to timeframes and the
successful outcome of key deliverables.
Lead, manage and
motivate a high performing team within a complex reform
environment to ensure agency objectives are met, sharing
subject matter knowledge and providing guidance to staff to
encourage professional learning.
About
you:
You will
bring extensive experience in delivering and applying strategic
thinking to lead, manage and motivate a high-performing team to
deliver critical priorities that have significant impact on
strategic objectives and initiatives.
To be successful
in this role, we are looking for someone who
brings:
Experience in
leading and managing the implementation of complex,
multi-functional programs and projects of critical strategic
importance, including those with impact beyond the
agency.
Demonstrated
high-level knowledge and experience in applying contemporary
project and risk management frameworks, methodologies and




government policy to manage the implementation of complex
programs within a fast-paced reform environment.
Interpersonal and
relationship management skills with proven ability to build and
sustain effective partnerships across senior internal and
external stakeholders, including skills in navigating sensitive
and high-profile issues with diplomacy and influencing outcomes
through negotiation and strategic engagement.
Experience related
to early childhood development, allied health, policy and
program management would be well regarded.
Role
Benefits:
Opportunities for
professional development and career growth within the public
sector.
Work
with senior officials across government and early childhood
sectors.
Access to valuable
salary sacrifice benefits like car leases, portable electronic
devices, mobile phones, airline lounge memberships,
self-education expenses, and more.
Access to flexible
working arrangements to get that work life
balance.
Application
Instructions and Information:
Applications should be
made through the IWorkForSA website.
Applicants must submit a
CV, Pre-employment Declaration, and a cover letter outlining their
suitability against the attached position description.
Remuneration:
SM1 -
$144,421 as of 1st July **** (1.0 FTE) per annum, plus
superannuation.
Additional
Note:
This is a
full-time 2-year long term contract role (1.0 FTE) with potential
to be made ongoing.
Enquiries:
Enquiries
can be directed to ******
Special
Conditions:
For all
other special conditions please refer to the attached position
description.
Applications close:02/08/2026 11:45 PM
Attachments:
- Position Description - SM1 Program Manager Preschool Boost and Inclusion.pdf
- Pre-employment Declaration.pdf
Flexibility Statement
The South Australian public sector promotes diversity and adaptable ways of working including part-time.
Applicants are encouraged to discuss the flexible working arrangements for this role.

📌 Sm1 Program Manager, Preschool Boost & Inclusion (Adelaide)
🏢 Office for Early Childhood Development
📍 Adelaide