Senior Programs Officer

At the NSW Department of Education, we educate and inspire lifelong learners – from early childhood, through schooling to vocational education and training.

• Ongoing Full-Time opportunity


• Located in Parramatta with flexible working arrangements available


• Competitive remuneration ranging from $129,464 to $142,665 plus super & annual leave loading

About the role

The Senior Program Officer role is within the Reform and Insights Directorate in the Early Childhood Outcomes division and is responsible for preparing the budget, forecasting, reporting, and supporting the delivery of the Digital Hub program. The role supports the transition of early childhood education and care services to a centralised digital platform, improving funding administration, data collection and reporting.

Working across policy, business and technology teams, the role monitors program expenditure, develops forecasts, prepares financial reports and provides advice on budget risks and opportunities to support informed decision-making.

For further information please click here to view the role description

About you

• Lead complex policy, program or project initiatives


• Strong Financial literacy, including budget management, forecasting, and financial analysis


• Resource Management to deliver projects and program outcomes within agreed timelines and budget


• Conduct research, analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to provide evidence-based advice and recommendations to support decision making


• Analyse issues and develop practical solutions


• Build strong stakeholder relationships and partnerships


• Prepare high-quality briefs, reports and advice


• Manage competing priorities and deliver results


• Knowledge of and commitment to implementing the Department’s Aboriginal Education Policy and upholding the Department’s Partnership Agreement with the NSW AECG and to ensure quality outcomes for Aboriginal people.

Essential requirements of the role

• Tertiary qualifications in a relevant discipline, or demonstrated equivalent knowledge and/or experience. 


• A valid NSW Working with Children Check for paid employment.


• Demonstrated understanding of and commitment to the value of public education.

Benefits

• Flexible working arrangements


• 35 hour working week


• Competitive, salary sacrificing, employer’s contribution to superannuation and annual leave loading


• Flex Leave entitlements, generous holidays & leave conditions


• Opportunities for advancement and mobility across the Department to support your career growth

How to apply

Attach a resume (maximum 5 pages) and a cover letter (maximum 2 pages) outlining how you meet the requirements and capabilities of this role and respond to the following targeted questions.

1. Provide an example of a project or program that you worked as part of a team. Describe your role in managing project finances and resources, and how you identified, monitored, and reported financial risks and opportunities to support decision-making and achieve successful delivery? (max 300 words)


2. Describe a time when you identified a problem with a business work process or project. What was the problem and what was your contribution to resolving it? (max 300 words)

Applicants are encouraged to prepare their application materials independently. The selection panel values authentic and personally written responses that reflect your own experience, insights and alignment with the Department’s values and priorities.

Please refer to the Applicant’s Guide to Applying to assist you with your application.

If you are an existing Education Support Staff (corporate staff) with the NSW Department of Education, click here for instructions on how to submit your application.

All other applicants please submit your application by clicking ‘Apply Now’.

Note: the selection process will include a range of assessment techniques to assist in determining your suitability for the role. Successful candidates will be required to undertake pre-employment screening for this role which includes a National Criminal History Check.

This is a child-related role. As a condition of employment you will be required to provide a valid Working with Children Check (WWCC) Clearance number (for paid employment). Visit the website for more information.

Candidates must have Australian work rights (citizens, permanent residents, New Zealand citizens or a valid work visa). Ongoing (permanent) roles are open to Australian citizens and permanent residents and New Zealand citizens, while temporary roles welcome applicants with a visa. 

Closing date: Sunday 12th July 2026 at 11:59pm.

For role enquiries please contact Minka Chandler at [email protected]  and for recruitment process enquiries please contact Paula D’Albora at [email protected] 

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, including but not limited to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people, people of any age or gender, people from culturally and linguistically diverse groups and/or from the LGBTQIA+ community, veterans, refugees, people with disability, people with sensory differences, and neurodiverse people. If we can make some adjustments to our recruitment/interview process to better help you shine, please reach out to the contact person for this recruitment, details listed above. For more information, visit the NSW Department of Education’s Diversity, equity and inclusion webpage.

A recruitment pool may be created through this recruitment process. A recruitment pool is a group of applicants who have been assessed and identified as suitable for this role, and who may be considered for a range of similar roles, including temporary, term or ongoing roles, over the next 18 months.