Department of State Development
Job reference: 841881
Location: 5000 - ADELAIDE
Job status: Ongoing
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:

The Principal Policy Officer, Skills SA drives 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 Officer 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 Officer, you will:

1. Drive high-level strategic policy and planning, contributing to the development, implementation and monitoring of policies and projects that support agency, state and national VET objectives.
2. Provide analysis and expert advice to support executive engagement in state and national forums, ensuring alignment with departmental priorities.
3. Shape and coordinate stakeholder engagement to inform and influence the design of innovative policies, programs and funding models aligned to state and national VET reform.
4. Coordinate cross-government working groups to address complex policy issues and deliver strategic responses.
5. Manage urgent and sensitive enquiries from government, industry and the community, and prepare high-quality briefings, Cabinet documents, reports and ministerial responses.
6. Establish strong and trusted relationships with key internal and external stakeholders.

Key Competencies:

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

• Demonstrated expertise in strategic policy, including the development, implementation and evaluation of complex policies aligned to government objectives, supported by strong research, analysis and strategic thinking.
• Strong analytical and research skills with an ability evaluate complex information and clearly communicate findings.
• Proven ability to manage complex stakeholder engagement to inform government investment strategies and policy outcomes.
• Experience managing complex, high-profile and multi-faceted projects, including navigating risk, competing pressures and tight timeframes.
• Highly developed interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly convey complex and sensitive issues, including through papers, ministerial briefings, and Cabinet submissions.

Remuneration:

Competitive salary ASO7 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: Nil

Special Conditions:

• The role will be offered full-time (1.0 FTE) ongoing basis.
• 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 Ashley Bowker, Manager, National Policy via ashley.bowker@sa.gov.au or 0466671815

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: 03/05/2026 11:00 PM

Attachments:
- DSD Role Description - ASO7 Principal Policy Officer.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.