This role provides an exciting opportunity for an individual with strong leadership and people management skills to lead a team of policy and program advisors to drive the ongoing development and implementation of the one of the department’s landmark student mental health reforms - the Schools Mental Health Fund and Menu.
About the Department
The department provides a wide range of learning and development support and services.
The department provides policy leadership, plans for the future of education in Victoria and leads key cross-sector collaboration. The department plays an important system steward role by providing support, guidance, oversight and assurance across early childhood and school education systems, as well as directly providing school education and 50 new early learning centres.
About the Division
Wellbeing, Health and Engagement Division (WHED)
WHED leads the department's efforts to support student wellbeing, health, engagement and inclusion. This includes supporting:
* schools to create and uphold safe, inclusive and equitable school environments and prevent and respond to family violence and child abuse
* student health, including promoting physical activity and healthy eating, enabling access to health services and supporting students with health conditions
* student mental health and wellbeing, including positive mental health promotion and building mental health capability, through delivery of school mental health reforms
* student engagement with school, including promoting attendance and providing targeted support for vulnerable and disengaged students.
Student Mental Health Branch (SMHB)
The Student Mental Health Branch leads the department's efforts to support student mental health and wellbeing, including positive mental health promotion and build mental health capability. The branch provides mental health policy advice, delivers programs, supports schools and works in collaboration with partners across the education system and community sector who contribute to and influence positive outcomes for students.
Key responsibilities include:
* Leading the department's response to the Royal Commission into Victoria's Mental Health system in delivering on Recommendation 17 and coordinating the department's work in implementing whole of government mental health reform.
* Managing the Schools Mental Health Fund and Menu to support government schools to select programs, staff and other support from an online evidence-based menu that best meets their students' mental health and wellbeing needs.
* Expanding the Mental Health in Primary Schools initiative in every government and low-fee non-government primary school by 2026 to employ a Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader to implement a whole-school approach to mental health and wellbeing for students, staff and families.
Student Mental Health Fund and Menu Unit
The Student Mental Health Fund and Menu Unit sits within the Student Mental Health Branch and is responsible for leading the design, development and delivery of the Schools Mental Health Fund and Menu, which underpins the Department's response to Recommendation 17 from the Royal Commission.
Key responsibilities:
* Schools Mental Health Menu ongoing development, procurement, delivery and maintenance
* Schools Mental Health Fund model design including development of operational policy, guidelines and administration of a large scale budget
* Policy development and review
* Program development, management and reporting
* Program communications, promotion and training
* Contributing to Fund and Menu evaluation and data collection systems
About the Role
This role provides an exciting opportunity for an individual with strong leadership and people management skills to lead a team of policy and program advisors to drive the ongoing development and implementation of the one of the department's landmark student mental health reforms - the Schools Mental Health Fund and Menu.
This ro le will also work collaboratively with the broader leadership team and gain exposure to valuable mental health reform and wellbeing projects in a branch with a strong welcoming culture.
Experience and skills in strategic planning, policy and project management, government procurement processes, stakeholder management and problem solving are crucial to be successful in this role.
The Manager will lead the Fund and Menu team to:
* oversee the delivery and management of contracts within the Student Mental Health Branch
* oversee large, complex and public procurement processes to ensure the Menu maintains currency
* develop and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders across the department and externally within the youth mental health space
* lead the development of communications and promotion of outcomes and evidence of impact
* produce high-quality written work, including presentations, reports and briefings
* work closely with other teams in the branch and across the department to support the implementation of the Schools Mental Health Fund and Menu.
The role may also be required to contribute to other priority projects across the wider division as required.
Attributes
Strong experience and skills in policy and project management, government procurement processes, people management, strategic planning, stakeholder management, and problem solving are a crucial part of this role.
Desirable Qualifications and Experience
Essential: Relevant tertiary qualification in education, social policy, health/mental health or related field.
Understanding of VPS operations and processes, including the policy and processes of the Victorian Government Purchasing Board is preferred.
Further Information
For more details regarding this position please see attached position description for the capabilities to address in application.
To apply, please submit a CV and cover letter (max 3 pages) addressing the key selection criteria as outlined the 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 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 .
For further information pertaining to the role, please contact Deborah Maher *************@
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 Education will be treated in the strictest confidence.
Please let us know via phone or email if you require any adjustments to ensure your full participation in the recruitment process or if you need the ad or any attachments in an accessible format (e.g large print) due to any viewing difficulties or other accessibility requirements.
Applications close 11:59pm on Monday 09 March 2026