Director, Strategic Policy

The Department for Education is seeking a Director of Strategic Policy, offering you the chance to make a meaningful impact on the future of public education in South Australia.

This pivotal role places you at the heart of educational reform, where your expertise will shape newly created policy reforms, lead work on the Closing the Gap agenda and Country Education Strategy and providing strategic advice to the leadership of the Department and Minister.

As part of a forward-thinking division, you will collaborate with passionate executives leading other strategic functions including government relations, engagement, communications and data insights, all dedicated to giving our public school and preschool communities the opportunities they deserve.

The Department’s commitment to unlocking every child’s potential means you’ll be empowered to lead transformative policy initiatives, influence state and national reforms, and foster strong relationships across government and community networks for the betterment of public education.

Key responsibilities:

• Provide authoritative strategic direction to multidisciplinary teams, ensuring the achievement of critical policy initiatives aligned with departmental priorities.
• Lead the formulation and delivery of education policy and strategy focused on improving outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities as part of the Closing the Gap agenda.
• Represent the Department at inter-governmental and inter-agency meetings, developing effective partnerships with internal stakeholders, external partners, and other government agencies.
• Drive consistent quality approaches to strategic policy across the department by acting as a thought leader in high-quality policy development and implementation.
• Facilitate evidence-based research, analysis, and evaluation to support whole-of-government initiatives aimed at enhancing educational outcomes.
• Oversee the design and coordination of systemic policy solutions that set departmental strategy and influence positions on key issues within the education portfolio.
• Manage performance targets for yourself and your team through regular monitoring, feedback, and alignment with agreed objectives set by senior leadership.
• Engage effectively with diverse stakeholders at all levels through clear communication, negotiation, and relationship management skills.
• Champion processes that improve policy practice across the department by fostering collaboration, knowledge sharing, and continuous improvement.

Key requirements:

• Appropriate tertiary qualifications (post-graduate desirable) or equivalent relevant experience demonstrating deep subject matter expertise.
• Demonstrated experience leading strategic planning initiatives within large or complex organisations at a senior level where translating priorities into executed deliverables was essential.
• Proven track record in evidence-based policy research, analysis, formulation, implementation, and evaluation supporting whole-of-government reforms.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills with an ability to collaborate effectively across diverse teams while driving positive change through shared goals.
• Advanced negotiation skills honed through managing relationships across multiple platforms within political contexts relevant to South Australian education systems.
• Sound understanding of current educational policies as well as factors influencing public sector reform both locally and nationally.

The Department’s commitment to unlocking every child’s potential means you’ll be empowered to lead transformative policy initiatives, influence state and national reforms, and foster strong relationships across government and community networks.

This is a 3 year term contract.

Applications close, Tuesday 24th February 2026.