Department of State Development
Job reference: 848017
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:

Are you passionate about driving meaningful change and improving outcomes for First Nations communities? Join Skills SA and play a key role in delivering impactful initiatives under the National Skills Agreement (2024–2028).

Skills SA leads the implementation, monitoring, and governance of Closing the Gap initiatives across South Australia’s vocational education and training (VET) system—working in partnership to create lasting, sustainable change.

As the Manager, Closing the Gap Policy, you will lead the development of system-wide initiatives to strengthen the VET sector’s capacity and capability to improve outcomes for Aboriginal learners and communities.

What you’ll do

• Lead impactful initiatives
  Drive the development of Closing the Gap initiatives across the VET system—ensuring strong performance, measurable outcomes, and sustainable community benefit.
• Influence at the highest level
  Provide clear, evidence-based and culturally responsive advice to senior leaders, including the Minister and Chief Executive, on progress, risks, and outcomes.
• Strengthen the First Nations workforce
  Champion initiatives that support training pathways, employment opportunities, and long-term capability across the sector.
• Embed cultural leadership
  Listen deeply to Aboriginal perspectives and lead with cultural understanding—supporting your team to build capability and empowering Aboriginal employees to pursue leadership opportunities.

About you:

To succeed in the role, you will have:

• Demonstrated leadership and management skills, with the capacity to guide teams under broad direction, employing innovation, collaboration, and independent judgment to progress the agreed agenda.
• Proven experience in building and sustaining strategic relationships and partnerships that facilitate new opportunities aligned with organisational goals
• Advanced interpersonal and communication abilities, with a track record of effectively consulting, influencing, and negotiating on sensitive issues with a range of stakeholders and senior government officials.
• Proven ability to foster team unity and drive objectives, while nurturing a culture of support and guiding staff development and performance.

Remuneration: Competitive salary of SM1 per annum 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: A tertiary qualification in law, economic, evaluation, public policy, or similar

Special Conditions:

• The role will be offered full-time (1.0 FTE) up to 30 months
• Satisfactory Department of Human Services Criminal History Check or National Police Check (NPC) and Working with Children Check is required prior to the employment.

Enquiries:

For confidential enquiries / further information about the role, please contact Jess Roberts, Business and Engagement Reform Lead via Jessica.Roberts3@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 key competencies (3 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: 28/06/2026 11:00 PM

Attachments:
- DSD Role Description - SM1, Manager, Closing the Gap Policy.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.