Overview

Work Type: Ongoing - Full-time

Salary: $142,790 - $191,084

Grade: VPS 6

Occupation: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander services

Location: Melbourne - CBD and Inner Metro suburbs

Reference: VG/026765B The Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions is focused on growing Victoria’s prosperity, building the productive capacity of our economy and increasing participation – by creating more opportunities for people through skills and jobs; helping businesses and industries to thrive; and building vibrant communities and regions. For more information, see the DJSIR Strategic Plan 2023-2027.

Our work spans numerous portfolios, supporting departmental ministers and operating across metropolitan, regional and international offices.

The Department welcomes and encourages applications from diverse applicants, including First Peoples, refugees or asylum seekers, people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds, LGBTIQ+ people and people with disability. All roles at DJSIR can be worked flexibly and we offer reasonable adjustments for applicants with disabilities. Program Manager

- Salary: $142,790 - $191,084 plus superannuation
- Ongoing role
- Usual hours of work: Full-time (flexibility may be available)
- Usual work location: 121 Exhibition Street, Melbourne CBD (flexibility may be available)

Aboriginal Prioritised

This is a prioritised position for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in accordance with the Special Measures provision of the Equal Opportunity Act 2010 (Vic). Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply and will be given priority consideration for this role.

The Role

This is an exciting opportunity for a driven, accountable and outcomes-focused professional with highly developed project management, conceptual and analytical capabilities, demonstrated government and program delivery experience, and excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.

The Program

Manager will lead multiple Aboriginal economic development projects and grant programs across the project management lifecycle, responding effectively to emerging priorities and managing complex stakeholder environments. The role will support First Peoples' self-determination and leadership by strengthening the capability, capacity and growth of First Peoples businesses and Traditional Owner Corporations across Victoria, while ensuring First Peoples' perspectives, priorities and practices are valued, understood and embedded. Working collaboratively across DJSIR and government, the role will build strong relationships with First Peoples businesses, Traditional Owner Corporations, Victorian First Peoples peak bodies, government, industry and other key stakeholders to support implementation of the Yuma Yirramboi Strategy.

Main Accountabilities:

- Manages, leads and delivers priority Aboriginal Economic Development projects and grant programs across the project management lifecycle,



driving agreed actions and outcomes aligned with program objectives, government requirements and timeframes.
- Provides timely, evidence-based advice and clear recommendations to senior management and Ministers to support project and program delivery, resolve complex issues and enable informed decisions.
- Builds and maintains strategic partnerships across the Branch, DJSIR, government and external stakeholders to connect and deliver initiatives supporting Aboriginal Victorians' economic development, consistent with the Victorian Government's self-determination framework and the Yuma Yirramboi Strategy.
- Independently negotiates with Traditional Owner Corporations, stakeholders and peers to secure cooperation, resolve issues and meet agreed timeframes for the delivery of projects, programs and advice.
- Monitors and manages grant agreement performance and compliance, identifies delivery and governance risks and implements corrective action to achieve program outcomes.

The Team The position of Program Manager forms a part of the Aboriginal Economic Development Branch within the Economic Policy, Programs and Services Group.

The Economic Policy, Programs and Services (EPPS) group brings together advanced capabilities in economics and public policy, data and modelling, program design and evaluation, project management, delivery and assurance. EPPS works in partnership across the department and provides portfolio responsibilities for Aboriginal economic development, including driving implementation of the Yuma Yirramboi Strategy.

The Aboriginal Economic Development (AED) branch leads work across the department to support Aboriginal self-determination through employment and economic development. The branch works in partnership with First Peoples communities, Aboriginal businesses, Traditional Owner Corporations and stakeholders across government and industry to deliver culturally informed initiatives and economic development outcomes.

About You

You will bring highly developed project delivery capability, with demonstrated experience leading and delivering multiple projects and grant programs across different stages of the project management lifecycle in complex stakeholder environments. You will have highly developed written, visual and verbal communication skills, with experience preparing and presenting transparent, concise and persuasive reports, submissions, briefings, recommendations and presentations on complex and sensitive matters. You will also have highly developed stakeholder engagement capability, including building trusted relationships with Victorian First Peoples communities,



First Peoples businesses and Traditional Owner Corporations, leading culturally safe engagement and influencing outcomes to deliver project and program objectives.

Further Information For a confidential discussion, please contact Camm Myrtle, Director, Aboriginal Economic Development Branch on [email protected] and 0418 426 388.

The Department is committed to creating and maintaining a child safe organisation. We have zero tolerance of child abuse and are committed to taking the necessary steps to protect children from harm by adopting a preventative, proactive and participatory approach to child safety in accordance with the Child Safe Standards.

Successful candidates will be required to undergo a National Police Records Check prior to commencing employment with the Department.

This position has a requirement to undertake some travel. Some out-of-hours work may be required, for example to meet critical client deadlines or during emergency situations.

Please note: We are committed to inclusive recruitment. If you require an adjustment to participate in any stage of the recruitment process or have a particular requirement to be communicated with by either telephone or email only, please notify the DJSIR Talent Acquisition Team on 0472 875 685, or via email at [email protected] with the position number in the subject line.

How to Apply

Please click the ‘Apply Now' button. As part of the application process, you will need to provide a copy of your resume and a cover letter.

In your cover letter, we want to hear your story. Tell us why you want to work with DJSIR and what draws you to this role. We're interested in understanding how your experiences, whether from community, culture, or professional settings, have shaped your experience.

You might choose to share:

- Why this opportunity resonates with you
- A story that demonstrates your cultural leadership and problem-solving approach
- How you've created positive change for mob in your community or workplace
- Your vision for supporting First Nations staff and cultural safety at DJSIR

While addressing the key selection criteria, feel free to draw on examples from any setting that shows your skills, knowledge and experience. We value both traditional and non-traditional pathways to leadership.

For the purpose of employment in Aboriginal Designated or Aboriginal Prioritised positions within the Victorian public sector, candidates will be asked to provide Confirmation of Aboriginality. This can be confirmed by a Confirmation of Aboriginality form signed by an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation and affixed with the common seal of that organisation. Recognising that access to formal Confirmation of Aboriginality documents can occasionally be problematic, a n alternative process can be discussed by emailing [email protected].

Applications close at 23:59pm on 1 October 2026.

Applications close Thursday 1 October 2026 at 11.59pm Posted 17 September 2026

📌 Program Manager (Melbourne)
🏢 Victorian Government
📍 Melbourne