Office for Early Childhood Development Job reference: 857046

Location: 5000 - ADELAIDE

Job status: Long Term Contract

Eligibility: Open to Everyone

Why work with us: The Office for Early Childhood Development was created to champion change and to help build a system that gives all South Australian children a flying start to life.

Guided by the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Early Childhood Education and Care, the Office for Early Childhood Development is the steward of the early childhood development system in South Australia.

The Office is tasked with a significant responsibility: bringing together a holistic, connected system for early childhood development across South Australia, with the goal of reducing the rate of children entering school developmentally vulnerable. Critical to this is the roll-out of universal 3-year-old preschool from 2026, giving every child access to 2 years of teacher-led, play-based early learning before school by 2032.

About this role: The Professional Practice Lead provides strategic pedagogical leadership and expert advice to shape the design and implementation of early childhood development reform initiatives across South Australia, aligned with the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Early Childhood Education and Care. Working collaboratively across Office for Early Childhood Development (OECD) the Professional Practice Lead will draw on significant knowledge and experience in early childhood education, pedagogy and curriculum, including strategic use of data and evidence-based research.

The Professional Practice Lead will support the design and implementation of policy, projects, change initiatives and sector resources to support the achievement of organisational reform objectives and priorities, in collaboration with Project Leads and Local Teams.

Your Key Responsibilities:

- Provide pedagogical leadership and expert advice across relevant OECD business areas
- Promote and facilitate a networked approach to pedagogical leadership, including through internal and external networks
- Provide insights, through data analysis, expert advice and evidence-based research,



to inform the development implementation, and evaluation of policy and project deliverables
- Lead the development, implementation, and evaluation of policy, programs and projects.
- Lead the development of early childhood and professional practice skills and knowledge of the team, office and the sector

About you: You are a strategic and innovative leader with extensive experience driving complex projects, programs and policy initiatives that deliver meaningful outcomes. With a deep understanding of the Early Years Learning Framework, National Quality Framework and the broader early years landscape, you bring expertise in curriculum development, mentoring educators, and fostering continuous improvement. You are highly skilled in analysing complex policy issues, conducting research, and developing evidence-based advice that informs decision-making and supports sector reform. A confident and collaborative communicator, you excel at building strong stakeholder relationships, influencing diverse audiences, and translating complex information into clear, compelling messages. You thrive working both autonomously and as part of a team, managing competing priorities while delivering high-quality outcomes aligned with strategic, policy and government priorities. To be successful in this role, we are looking for someone who brings:

- Extensive leadership experience in effectively influencing and managing a range of concurrent projects and programs
- Detailed knowledge of the Early Years Learning Framework and National Quality Framework with extensive experience in leading curriculum development, mentoring and coaching early childhood teachers and educators, and engaging in reflective practice and continuous improvement in teaching methods.




- Extensive experience in analysing and evaluating complex and sensitive policy issues and conducting high level research to develop policy advice under broad direction.
- Detailed understanding of the early years sector, including the roles and responsibilities of government agencies and non-government stakeholders and the key players likely to influence outcomes.

Role Benefits:

- A role with real influence and impact in government policy.
- Opportunities for professional development and career growth within the public sector
- Work with senior officials across government and early childhood sectors.
- Be part of an agency with a clear mission to improve the lives of South Australia’s children and families.
- Access to valuable salary sacrifice benefits like car leases, portable electronic devices, mobile phones, airline lounge memberships, self-education expenses, and more. Ask us about how you can make your salary go further working at the OECD.
- 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.

Closing Date: Sunday 20 September 2026 at 11:45pm Remuneration: ASO8 - $130,046 - $134,956 (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 [email protected]

Special Conditions: For all other special conditions please refer to the attached position description.

Applications close: 20/09/2026 11:45 PM

Attachments:

- Position Description - ASO8 - Skilled Practice Lead.pdf
- Pre-employment Declaration.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.

📌 Professional Practice Lead (Adelaide)
🏢 Office for Early Childhood Development
📍 Adelaide