Department of State Development
Job reference: 850823
Location: 5000 - ADELAIDE
Job status: Long Term Contract
Eligibility: Open to Everyone

About us:

The Department of State Development is the South Australian Government’s lead economic development agency. 

Our mission is to drive sustainable economic growth in South Australia by increasing industrial and workforce capability, capacity, collaboration and resilience. We take pride in hiring the right people for the right jobs and offer an attractive, flexible workplace. 

For more information about our agency, please visit: 

Department of State Development | statedevelopment.sa.gov.au 

About the role:

Skills SA oversees South Australia’s vocational education and training system, working with stakeholders to align training with workforce needs, support employers, and help individuals gain skills for employment and career development. 

The Principal Policy Lead leads the development of strategic policy advice and the initiation, development, and delivery of government policy and projects related to national and state reforms.

The Principal Policy Lead will join a passionate, high-performing team, and will apply their professional expertise in policy development, high level project management, stakeholder engagement, high-level communication skills and experience and knowledge of vocational education and training.

As a Principal Policy Lead, you will:

1. Initiate and conduct high level, strategic policy and planning, including substantial contribution to the development, implementation, and monitoring of strategic policies and projects related to vocational education and skills development which support Agency, state and national objectives.
2. Lead strategically focused stakeholder consultations to influence and contribute to the innovative design and development of new and critical policies, programs, and funding models that support national and state VET reform initiatives.
3. Lead working groups of staff from across the Department or government as required to address specific policy matters that interact with the areas of interest to Skills SA and to support, coordinate and ensure the delivery of Skills SA reforms that address state and national VET priorities.
4. Lead the coordination and critical evaluation of cross-divisional input to support executive engagement in state and national forums, ensuring alignment with departmental priorities and strategic objectives.

Key Competencies:

To apply and succeed in the role, you will have:

• Demonstrated experience with strategic policy, and expertise in the development, implementation and evaluation of critical and complex policies that support government objectives, including extensive research, analysis, influencing, creative and strategic thinking.
• Demonstrated ability and experience in managing complex stakeholder engagements to inform high level government investment strategies.
• Proven ability to use initiative and creativity and to work successfully under limited supervision with high order organisational and time management skills including the ability to cope with high volumes of work, changing priorities and meeting critical deadlines while handling multiple sensitive issues.
• Demonstrated high level and significant experience in managing complex critical, multi-faceted and high-profile projects, including managing competing pressures, tight timeframes and risks.

Remuneration:

Competitive salary ASO8 p.a. plus superannuation

Benefits:

Bringing your talent to the Department of State Development will see you rewarded with a wide variety of benefits such as:

• A variety of leave arrangements
• Work-life balance with a flexible hybrid work arrangement
• Access to great customised training and career development opportunities.

Qualifications:

• Essential: A tertiary qualification in a field relevant to the position, and/or substantial relevant professional experience
• Desirable: Nil

Special Conditions:

• The role will be offered full-time (1.0 FTE) ongoing basis for up to 24 months.
• Satisfactory Department of Human Services Criminal History Check or National Police Check (NPC) Working with Children’s Check (WWCC) required prior to employment.

Enquiries:

For confidential enquiries / further information about the role, please contact Shannen Acton, Business Manager via Shannen.Acton@sa.gov.au

How to Apply:

All applications must be submitted through the I Work For SA website. 

Applicants are required to submit the following:

• Cover letter demonstrating the suitability for the role by addressing the key competencies (2 pages max)
• Curriculum Vitae (4 pages max)
• Prepare 3 referees (at least one should be current or recent line manager), to be provided on request.
• Pre-employment Declaration Form – find the attachment on the job advert.

Applications close: 22/07/2026 11:00 PM

Attachments:
- ASO8 Principal Policy Lead Role Description - June 2026.pdf
- Pre-Employment-Declaration_240522.pdf

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.