Office for Early Childhood Development
Job reference:
833226
Location:
5000 - ADELAIDE
Job status:
Long Term Contract
Eligibility:
Open to Everyone
Why work with us:
The Office for Early Childhood Development has been formed with a clear mandate: to create a fairer and better future for all children in South Australia by implementing the accepted recommendations of the Royal Commission into Early Childhood Education and Care.
As the steward of the early childhood development system, the Office will act on government's behalf, and work in collaboration with the sector, to organise and connect the system to reduce developmental vulnerability.
This includes providing universal access to quality, teacher-led preschool from the age of 3, growing and sustaining a quality early childhood workforce, and greater supports and connected services for families in the 1000 days of a child's life.
About this role:
The Regional Manager, Early Childhood Partnerships manages a local team across a specified region and leads the regional implementation of South Australia's early childhood initiatives.
The role is responsible for translating policy objectives into practical actions that drive meaningful transformation across the early childhood sector. The role provides critical high-level advice to early childhood service providers using evidence-based practices to support both centrally and regionally on issues affecting the implementation of early childhood initiatives.
Your Key Responsibilities:
* Develop, lead and manage strong relationships and strategic networks with local stakeholders, partners to support the implementation of early childhood initiatives.
* Lead a high performing, regional team in a complex environment by sharing subject matter knowledge, providing ongoing coaching, feedback and encouraging professional learning to staff.
* Lead, embed and monitor change management strategies and related tools and resources to ensure effective implementation of system-wide early childhood reforms aligned with state-wide objectives.
* Manage the daily operations of the Regional Early Childhood Partnerships team ensuring all key management functions such as human resource, procurement, financial management activities are actioned in accordance with relevant guidelines, policies and processes.
* Provide expert program support and advice to internal and external stakeholders, with a demonstrated ability and experience in working effectively in early childhood or a related field including community engagement and development, education or human services.
* Provide design input and lead the collection, analysis and reporting of a range of data and feedback on the management and performance of the implementation of early childhood initiatives at a regional level.
About you:
You will be a strategic, outcomes driven leader with exceptional communication and stakeholder engagement skills, able to influence at senior levels and provide clear, high quality advice on complex and sensitive issues. Bringing extensive experience delivering major programs, projects and contract programs, you will lead and develop high performing teams, apply innovative and evidence based thinking, and drive continuous improvement. You will operate confidently with a high degree of autonomy in a complex, politically sensitive environment, while championing safety, inclusivity and accountability.
To be successful in this role, we are looking for someone who brings:
* Extensive experience in leading, and delivery in applying strategic and creative thinking, high leave research and analytical problem-solving skills to identify risks and opportunities and formulate solutions and outcomes.
* Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with strong diplomacy and the ability to build trusted relationships at all levels.
* Proven experience influencing and negotiating on sensitive and complex issues, along with the ability to deliver clear, concise and timely briefings, policy advice and reports that support well‑informed decision‑making.
* Extensive experience in determining, planning, developing and delivering major programs, strategies, and projects that have a significant impact beyond the agency through the use of project management methodologies and ability to develop effective solutions to solve complex problems.
* Demonstrated experience leading, managing and developing a high performing specialist team in the delivery of significant programs and complex policy development, including all aspects of workforce planning, performance management and professional development.
For full details, please see the position description attached.
Role Benefits:
* Opportunities for professional development and career growth within the public sector.
* Be part of an agency with a clear mission to improve the lives of South Australia's children and families.
* Access to valuable salary sacrifice benefits like car leases, portable electronic devices, mobile phones, airline lounge memberships, self-education expenses, and more. Ask us about how you can make your salary go further working at the OECD.
* Access to flexible working arrangements to get that work life balance.
Application Instructions and Information:
Applications should be made through the IWorkForSA website.
Applicants must submit a CV, Pre-employment Declaration, and a cover letter outlining their suitability against the attached position description.
Remuneration:
MAS3 - $127, FTE) per annum, plus superannuation.
Additional Note:
There are multiple, full-time, long term contract roles available, with potential to be made ongoing.
Enquiries:
Enquiries can be directed to
Special Conditions:
For all other special conditions please refer to the attached position description.
Applications close:
17/02/2026 11:45 PM
Attachments:
* Position Description - MAS3 Regional Manager, Early Childhood
* Pre-employment
Flexibility Statement
The South Australian public sector promotes diversity and flexible ways of working including part-time. Applicants are encouraged to discuss the flexible working arrangements for this role.