The Employee Safety and Wellbeing Division is committed to the department's vision to create safe, healthy and respectful working environments for Department employees to thrive and succeed. The Division's functions span from prevention, through to response and recovery, along with health and safetyadvice and support. These teams adopt a holistic approach for supporting the health, safety and wellbeing of our workforce across schools, Early Learning Victoria centres, central and regional offices. This includes Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) and Workers' Compensation policy advice and support, for both physical and psychological health and wellbeing. The objectives of the Division are to: promote positive wellbeing in working environments prevent against known and expected risks to health, safety and wellbeing respond swiftly and effectively to manage potential issues as they emerge and prevent injuries support employees to recover from injury and illness, and return to work promote respectful workplaces that uphold equal opportunity and prevents discrimination, bullying, harassment and sexual harassment. About the role The Manager, OHS Operations and Assurance is a key leadership role within the Employee Safety and Wellbeing Division. The Manager leads a collaborative, high performing team of OHS specialist professionals. The Manager will play a pivotal role in leading and implementing strategic and operational OHS advice and services in early childhood and corporate contexts within the Department of Education. The Manager will also drive continuous improvement by effectively delivering OHS assurance activities for schools, as well as providing a key role in strategic engagement with stakeholders. The Manager will demonstrate an ability to motivate others, build team commitment, influence key stakeholders, oversee complex OHS matters and establish a healthy and safe team culture that enables the team to continuously improve and thrive. The role will also oversee the building of capability in others, with the aim of addressing critical safety risks, and reducing the risk of injury to department staff. The key accountabilities of the role (which may evolve over time) include: Leadership and management of a high performing team including clearly defining role expectations, providing timely and constructive feedback, facilitating employee development, recruitment and work planning. A strong focus on stakeholder management, including a robust understanding of levers to influence positive health and safety outcomes, confidence in managing relationships with WorkSafe Victoria, trade unions, peak bodies and other key stakeholders. Leading the provision of strategic OHS advice and services to Early Learning Victoria Centres (ELV) and corporate leaders and staff about OHS Management system policies, functions and systems, including advice about eduSafe Plus and other fit-for-purpose data systems Provision of OHS advice and support in relation to both psychological and physical health including interpretation of legislation and policies. Leadership of an innovative and supportive OHS Assurance program as a second line of defence to ensure the department is compliant with OHS requirements, including effective oversight of key contract deliverables. Providing authoritative advice and evidence-based options and recommendations on critical health and safety matters to inform decision making. Key capabilities of this role include: Managing people, including holding self and team accountable to public sector values, performance standards and establishing processes to achieve outcomes. Developing capability by defining role expectations, monitoring performance, providing timely and constructive feedback and facilitating employee development. Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence, manage conflict, and role model a solution-focussed approach. Contributing advanced expertise and knowledge to strategic planning and decision-making processes. Stakeholder management by identifying and managing a range of complex and often competing needs. Facilitating innovative solutions to resolve stakeholder issues. Strong written communication skills and the ability to communicate insights and recommendations in written briefs, reports and options papers to enable effective decision-making. High level project management skills to plan and deliver projects including strong contract management skills, identifying risks, establishing governance, monitoring, evaluating performance and ensuring continuous improvement. This role requires: relevant qualification in health and safety or equivalent professional experience; demonstrated capability as an experienced people leader; demonstrated experience with stakeholder management and a proven capacity to effectively influence others. Further Information For more details regarding this position please see attached position description for the capabilities to address in application. The department values diversity and inclusion in all forms - gender, religion, ethnicity, LGBTIQ, disability and neurodiversity. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. For more information about our work, working for the Department, diversity and inclusion, and our employment conditions visit the Department website and our Diversity and Inclusion page Applicants requiring adjustments can contact the nominated contact person. Information about the Department of Education's operations and employment conditions can be located at www.education.vic.gov.au. How to apply Applicants are encouraged to include a Curriculum Vitae and a Cover letter addressing the key selection criteria provided in the position description. If you require any reasonable adjustment through the recruitment process, please contact Melissa Gaddie on 03 7022 1053 to enable us to assist you. Applications close 11:59pm on 27/02/2026
