This is a permanent full-time position commencing December 2026

The Strategy and Policy Division plays a central role in advancing the Department's purpose to embed excellence and fairness at the heart of public education and set students up for a successful future. The Division coordinates and develops system-wide strategy and policy, provides school and system performance data to support effective delivery in schools, leads high-level advice on Commonwealth-State reforms and priorities, undertakes public school planning, and supports the regulation of non-government schools.

The Strategic Policy Directorate is responsible for developing strategic policy and advice that supports improved outcomes for students in WA public schools. The Directorate works across the Department, government and broader community to address emerging policy challenges, shape strategic reform and support the delivery of government priorities.

Role

The successful applicant will provide leadership and high-quality policy analysis and strategic advice to the Executive Director, Corporate Executive, Ministers and the Premier, in relation to education priorities, reforms, and initiatives. They will lead the development of system-wide strategies and initiatives to address complex policy issues. They will be responsible for preparing strategy and policy documents, business cases, position papers, briefings, cabinet papers and submissions on strategic policy matters and will contribute to the Department’s and Western Australia’s input on state and international education matters. This applicant will provide expert advice regarding current,



evolving or emerging issues to facilitate executive decision-making and support the achievement of organisational and broader government objectives. They will evaluate the broader political, economic, social and technical environment to ensure appropriate research and data is available to develop policy options including the definition of the scope, opportunities and success criteria. They will also be expected to establish and maintain effective communication networks and consult with key internal and external stakeholders to support the development of informed strategic advice. They will be responsible for leading and managing the development of strategy and policy advice to support Government, Ministerial and Department priorities.

A key focus for this role will be agency commissioning with responsibility for stewarding the Department's commissioning approach, guided by our new Agency Commissioning Plan 2025. The plan outlines the Department's approach to commissioning community services over the next five years, including its commitment to strengthen its commissioning capability and maturity and increase the number of Aboriginal Community‑Controlled Organisations delivering community services to students in WA public schools. Previous experience in commissioning services, programs or contracts would be particularly relevant as the successful applicant leads the needs analysis,



stakeholder engagement and service design phases of the Department's commissioning approach in collaboration with other business areas across the organisation. The role will also support the procurement, contracting and transition phases of commissioning and undertake other activities that support the strengthening of the Department's commissioning maturity into the future.

Professional Benefits

We are conveniently located in East Perth and our employees enjoy a range of benefits which include:

- 12% employer contributed superannuation.
- Flexible working arrangements are genuinely considered to create healthy work life balance including; working from home or remote, flexible

working hours
and part‑time arrangements
- Generous leave entitlements including annual, personal, long service and parental leave
- Career development opportunities and study leave/assistance
- Access to salary packaging (in accordance with relevant industrial instruments)
- Enjoy easy access to public transport with the Claisebrook train station just a 5‑minute walk away or, take advantage of the free Yellow Cat bus service that stops outside our building entrance. Additionally, various CPP parking locations are within walking distance.

We are committed to building the leadership capability of our people (Building Leadership Impact).

Equity and Diversity

We are committed to an inclusive and culturally responsive workforce reflecting the diversity in our workplaces and the Western Australian community. We welcome and encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, young peo

📌 Manager - Strategic Policy (Perth)
🏢 Department of Education, Western Australia
📍 Perth