Title:  Principal Advisor

About Us

The Department of Transport and Planning oversees key planning, transport and land use policy decisions and management across the State. A life-cycle approach to planning, building, connecting and sustaining communities means our people can come together to; improve services, deliver sustainable projects, focus on customer engagement, streamline regulatory approval pathways, facilitate community consultation and better realise local economic opportunities for more liveable communities across Victoria.

People, Legal & Governance is a Group in the Department of Transport and Planning and is responsible for providing business enabling people and corporate services functions, that drive a high-performance culture and to support integrated operations.

About the Role

This is a fixed term position

This is an exciting and high-impact opportunity for an experienced professional to contribute at a strategic level. Reporting directly to the Deputy Secretary, the Principal Advisor will work on a diverse and challenging portfolio aligned with the key priorities and strategic direction of the Deputy Secretary and the People, Legal and Governance Group.

In this role, you will provide high-level advice, insightful analysis, and well-crafted briefings to support executive decision-making. You will play a pivotal role in tracking critical issues and initiatives to ensure the successful delivery of outcomes across the Group. From time to time, you will also lead complex, confidential, and cross-organisational projects on behalf of the Deputy Secretary—requiring close coordination with senior stakeholders and the ability to navigate sensitive matters with discretion.

This role offers a unique opportunity to work at the centre of strategic planning and governance, contribute to whole-of-department initiatives, and gain exposure to a wide range of business areas across the organisation.

To access the Position Description, please click here.

Position Outcomes

• Authoritative Advice – High quality, specialist, strategic and operational advice provided to the Secretary, Ministers and executive leadership to support transport and planning portfolio objectives and respond to emerging and/or complex issues.
• Project Management – demonstrated outstanding project leadership skillsand delivered high impact strategic delivery.

• High Quality Documentation – has undertaken comprehensive research and has delivered high quality and complex briefings, policy and project documents, presentations, reports and correspondence.
• Outcomes Measures –built and implemented effective service delivery frameworks and performance measures to provide outcomes that are customer-centric and business focused.
• Transformational Change – contributed to critical and large scale government and organisational reforms including the assessment of the quality and effectiveness of change initiatives and organisational improvements.
• Internal Contribution –effectively contributed to the broader Group as part of the People, Legal & Governance’s  Leadership Team and has acted as a mentor and coach across the Group.
• In line with Section 31A of the Public Administration Act 2004 (Vic) other duties may be assigned consistent with employment classification, skills, and capabilities

Key Selection Criteria

The Department of Transport and Planning is seeking a strategic and forward-thinking Principal Advisor to the Deputy Secretary to play a key role in shaping Victoria’s future. This is a prime opportunity to lead critical initiatives and influence outcomes within a dynamic and purpose-driven department.

As Principal Advisor, you will lead strategic planning, aligning projects with organisational priorities and guiding teams through complex processes. Your deep understanding of policy environments will support effective decision-making and long-term success.

You will drive innovation and continuous improvement by embedding quality and fresh approaches into service delivery. Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills are essential, as you’ll work across government and with senior stakeholders to deliver sustainable solutions.

Effective stakeholder management and accomplished people leadership will be vital as you balance competing needs and translate strategy into workforce plans and team performance.

Personal Attributes

The ideal candidate demonstrates strong flexibility and adaptability, adjusting strategies when needed and inspiring others to embrace change. They are outcome-focused, staying attuned to workforce needs and aligning strategies to deliver meaningful results. Their leadership is driven by a commitment to continuous improvement and achieving impactful, sustainable outcomes.

Qualifications and Experience

Mandatory

• Outstanding project leadership skills and demonstrated experience in delivering, at a senior level, high impact strategic advice for Ministers and senior executives.

Desirable

•  Tertiary qualification in a relevant discipline

What we offer

• Meaningful work making Victorian communities more accessible and liveable
• Professional growth and development opportunities across the department and the wider Victorian Public Services
• A hybrid working model focused on collaboration and teamwork
• Optimal work-life balance initiatives including flexible working arrangements
• Opportunity to work across multiple urban and suburban hubs
• We prioritise the development of a safe and inclusive culture

Culture Value

We are an equal opportunity employer, embracing a diverse range of applicants such as veterans, and people who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, LGBTQIA community members, individuals with disabilities and/or health conditions, as well as those from varied faith and cultural backgrounds. At our department, we prioritize the development of a safe, inclusive, and high-performance culture through shared actions and behaviours that align with our strategy and direction. This empowers our employees to effectively contribute to our goals.

How to Apply

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Applications close 11.59pm on Friday, 15th of June 2025. 

Please include a resume and cover letter. All applications must be submitted through the online portal. We’re unable to consider email or manual applications at this time.

For further information about the role please contact Claire Lindsey, Principal Advisor via Claire.lindsey@transport.vic.gov.au  

Preferred applicants may be required to complete a police check and may be subject to other pre-employment checks. Information provided to the Department of Transport and Planning will be held in the strictest confidence.

Please let us know by phone or email if you need any adjustments to fully participate in the recruitment process. If you require the ad or any attachments in an accessible format (e.g., large print) due to viewing difficulties or other accessibility needs, we are happy to accommodate.