Department of State Development
Job reference:
******
Location:
**** - ADELAIDE
Job status:
Long Term Contract
Eligibility:
Open to Everyone
Shaping the future workforce of South
Australia.
Lead SA's strategic investment in skills, workforce
capability and future industries.
Build trusted relationships that influence government,
industry and the VET sector.
Lead a high-profile executive portfolio driving skills
investment and economic growth.
At Davidson, we're proud to continue our partnership with the
South Australian Government in identifying exceptional executive
leaders who make a genuine difference to the future of our
State.
On behalf of the Department of State Development and Skills SA,
we are seeking an accomplished executive to lead one of South
Australia's most strategically important skills investment
portfolios.
This is an opportunity to influence where government invests in
workforce capability, helping ensure South Australia's future
skills pipeline supports defence, advanced manufacturing,
construction, clean energy, health, education, emerging industries
and economic growth.
The Opportunity
Reporting to the Executive Director, Skills SA, you will lead
the State's approach to skills investment and industry engagement,
balancing commercial judgement, evidence-based decision making and
meaningful stakeholder relationships.
While investment strategy and economic modelling remain central
to the role, your success will ultimately be measured by your
ability to build genuine partnerships across government, industry
and the vocational education sector.




You will build and strengthen relationships across the
vocational education and training sector, working collaboratively
with Registered Training Organisations, TAFE SA, Group Training
Organisations, industry bodies, employers and government to ensure
Skills SA is recognised as a trusted, responsive and strategic
partner.
You'll oversee significant investment programs, provide
strategic advice to senior executives and government, lead a
high-performing team and help shape workforce capability across
South Australia.
About You
You are a commercially minded executive who combines strategic
thinking with exceptional relationship management.
You understand how government investment decisions are made and
can confidently balance economic evidence with practical
stakeholder outcomes.
You are equally comfortable discussing investment priorities
with economists as you are building trusted partnerships with
industry leaders, training providers and senior government
stakeholders.
Most importantly, you are someone who creates confidence, brings
people together and builds lasting relationships.
You will bring experience in areas such as:
Government investment or commissioning




Economic development or industry policy
Workforce planning or capability development
Grant funding or major investment programs
Strategic partnerships and stakeholder engagement
Vocational education, industry or related sectors
Candidates from outside the traditional VET environment are
encouraged to apply where they can demonstrate strong commercial
acumen, strategic leadership and an ability to build trusted
relationships across complex stakeholder environments.
Why this role?
Few executive opportunities provide the ability to influence the
future workforce capability of an entire State.
This appointment offers the opportunity to shape investment
decisions that will support South Australia's economic priorities,
including defence and AUKUS, advanced manufacturing, major
infrastructure, clean energy and future industries.
If you're motivated by purpose, influence and the chance to
leave a lasting legacy, we'd welcome a confidential discussion.
For a confidential conversation or to access the success profile
for the role, please contact:
Sam Wallace
Partner – Executive Search &
Advisory on *********** or ******
Applications close:
23/08/2026 11:00 PM
Attachments:
- Pre-Employment-Declaration_******.pdf
- Role Statement - SAES1 Director Skills Investment and Engagement.pdf
Flexibility Statement
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.

📌 Director, Skills Investment & Engagement (South Australia)
🏢 Davidson
📍 South Australia