Senior Policy Officer Salary: $113,022 - $136,747 (plus superannuation) Fixed Term position to (30 June 2027) Usual hours of work: Full time (flexibility may be available) Usual work location: 121 Exhibition Street, Melbourne VIC 3000 (flexibility may be available) The Position We are looking for a Senior Policy Officer to for managing delivery of complex policy, including regulatory and legislative policy, across the full range of activities in the Outdoor Recreation unit. This includes supporting outdoor recreation and related programs that are delivered by other bodies for or on behalf of the department. The successful applicant will work effectively as a member of a team, enjoy flexible working arrangements and undertake a wide variety of work across the branch. Main accountabilities: Develops briefs on highly complex issues that provide options for discussion and consideration and will contribute to the development of a set of final options for decision Innovative thinking and analysis influences developments within area of responsibility Initiates and maintains relationships with peer and senior internal and external stakeholders Initiates research and analysis within an area of expertise consistent with organisational objectives Negotiates with stakeholders and peers with the object of gaining co-operation and meeting timelines for delivery of project, service or advice Formulates policy options and advice The Team This position Senior Policy Officer forms a part of the Outdoor Recreation, Combat Sports and Strategic Policy Branch, which sits under Sport and Experience Economy (SEE) Group. Sport and Experience Economy (SEE) Group is comprised of Tourism, Events and Entities (TEE), Community Sport and Recreation (CSR), Professional Sport and Tourism Infrastructure (PSTI) and Outdoor Recreation, Combat Sports and Strategic Policy (ORCSSP). CSR and TEE aim to create greater sport and active recreation participation opportunities for all Victorians to maximise economic, social and health benefits and enhance Victoria's livability. This is achieved by supporting the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events and the Minister for Community Sport in the management of major sports facilities, administering grant programs that develop community sports infrastructure, strengthening the capacity of sport and recreation organisations, developing more active recreation and other innovative options to increase overall participation rates, reducing barriers to participation for specific population groups, supporting world-class sporting events and Victoria's high performance sport sector, and reinforcing the role that sport and active recreation plays in growing the Victorian economy, supporting jobs and building stronger communities. PSTI also oversees infrastructure projects in the sport and tourism portfolio. About You To be successful in this role, you will have the following main skills and experience: Policy Design and Development: Formulates and communicates public policy options and recommendations; Develops a clear narrative for the policies and business cases including clear problem definition and objectives. Team Management: Ensures staff are productively deployed through effective workforce planning practices. Communicate with Impact: Makes a positive impression on others and comes across with credibility; Communicates in a manner that is clear, fluent and holds the listeners' attention; Able to deal with difficult and sensitive topics and questions. Stakeholder Engagement: Identifies and responds to stakeholder's underlying needs; Uses understanding of the stakeholder's organisational context to ensure outcomes are achieved. Project Delivery: Translates strategies into programs or projects that enable achievement of outcomes required. Systems Thinking: Understands the linkages between systems and communities to inform policy; Conceptualises and defines the systems working within the organisation. Further Information For a confidential discussion, please contact Zane Gaylard, Manager, Policy via email zane.gaylard@ecodev.vic.gov.au or 0449 076 551. 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. To be eligible for this position you must hold the mandatory qualification as outlined in the position description. For further information on the position, please refer to the attached position description. For Finance Roles: The Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry, and Regions is an accredited CPA Australia Recognised Employer Partner. 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 recruitment@ecodev.vic.gov.au 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 respond to the Key Selection Criteria outlined in the position description. Applications close at 23:59pm on Thursday, 5 March 2026.
