At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team to deliver impactful professional learning programs for aspiring principals.
- Company: Join a passionate Academy focused on enhancing education across Victoria.
- Benefits: Opportunities for growth, supportive culture, and meaningful work that makes a difference.
- Other info: Diversity and inclusion are valued; Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates encouraged to apply.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on education and student outcomes while leading innovative initiatives.
- Qualifications: Experience in project management and strong leadership skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 49500 - 60500 $ per year.
This position is an ongoing role commencing 1 January 2027. Are you passionate about leading the implementation of professional learning initiatives for teachers and school leaders through team leadership? The Academy's mission is to enhance and improve student outcomes across rural, regional and metropolitan schools through specialised professional learning and pathways, and to raise public awareness of the profession.
At the Academy, we are passionate about meaningful and exciting work that has an impact on education and student outcomes. Our shared purpose is to create and offer evidence-informed professional learning programs, events and initiatives designed to take Victoria's highly skilled teachers and school leaders from great to exceptional and advance the quality and status of teaching and school leadership. We also provide pathways for school and system improvement and raise public awareness of and confidence in the profession across government, Catholic and independent systems.
We care about the quality of our work, demonstrate collective responsibility for continuous improvement and support each other to do the very best we can every day to achieve our goals. The Academy is a learning organisation that provides opportunities for employees to grow. We have a positive culture that we are building together, where people feel supported, valued and heard.
About the Role: The Team Leader, Principal Preparation, leads a team to deliver professional learning programs and initiatives, including the Victorian Aspiring Principal Assessment (VAPA). This role is largely responsible for oversight and continuous improvement of the VAPA and will support other professional learning programs and staff.
- Overseeing, leading, supporting and enabling effective management of the VAPA
- Leading and managing the VAPA team including team workload, competing priorities and delivery against objectives
- Identifying and implementing improvements to systems, processes and service delivery
- Contributing to planning and alignment with organisational priorities
- Managing stakeholder relationships and resolving complex issues.
Capabilities:
- Demonstrated experience in developing and implementing a complex project, program or initiative
- Demonstrated people leadership and team management capability
- Strong planning, prioritisation and delivery capability
- Ability to manage complex workflows, resourcing and competing priorities to drive outcomes
- Strong stakeholder engagement, collaboration and problem-solving skills
- Ability to manage risks, drive process improvement and consistency and manage service quality to drive outcomes
- Ability to translate policy and strategy into consistent and effective ways of working.
Desirable Qualifications and Experience: Experience or qualifications in education, project and program management or learning design and delivery is desirable but not mandatory.
About the Division: The Teaching and Leadership Excellence division leads and delivers a comprehensive portfolio of evidence-informed high-quality professional learning for teachers and school leaders across the government, Catholic and independent sectors. It enables excellence in teaching, learning and wellbeing, and builds leadership capability at all career stages, from emerging leaders to system leaders.
About the Team: The Principal Preparation unit delivers targeted professional learning and development opportunities that drive school leadership performance and assess aspiring principals' capabilities for the role of principal. The unit researches, develops and project-manages programs that are dedicated to excellent leadership.
How to apply: Please respond by submitting a cover letter, supported by a maximum 2-page response to the key selection criteria and a recent CV/Resume.
Further Information: For more details regarding this position please see attached position description. 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 further information pertaining to the role, please contact Fiona Erwich - Manager, Principal Preparation via Fiona.Erwich@education.vic.gov.au or +61 3 9084 8583. Preferred applicants may be required to complete a police check and may be subject to other pre-employment checks.
Applications close 11:59pm on Thursday, 12 November 2026.
Team Leader in Melbourne employer: Department of Education
The Department of Education is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises integrity, accountability, and continuous improvement. As an Investigator in the Conduct and Integrity Division, you will have the opportunity to engage in meaningful work that directly impacts the education sector while benefiting from professional development and a commitment to diversity and inclusion. Located in Victoria, this role provides a unique chance to contribute to a high-performing team dedicated to upholding the highest standards of conduct and service delivery.
