Head Of Strategy & Innovation

The Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) is the administrative agency through which the Electoral Commissioner's legislative obligations are exercised. The VEC is committed to ensuring that its policies and practices reflect good governance as well as complying with all relevant legislation. Adherence to the VEC's governance framework demonstrates accountability to stakeholders and ensures the vitality and impartiality of the electoral system, now and into the future. Staffing and work practices are determined by the Public Administration Act 2004 and guided by the Victorian Public Sector Commission.
The VEC is an independent agency, operating under the auspices of the Department of Premier and Cabinet. The VEC is not subject to the direction or control of the relevant Minister for the performance of its responsibilities and functions and the exercise of its powers.
The VEC's primary responsibilities under the Electoral Act 2002 are:

• conducting parliamentary, local government, and certain statutory elections
• maintaining the Victorian register of electors
• supporting electoral representation processes for local councils and the Electoral Boundaries Commission
• promoting public awareness and understanding of electoral issues, and
• administering Victoria's political funding and donation disclosure obligations.

About The Role
Title: Head of Strategy and Innovation
Branch: Event Strategy and Delivery
Reports to: Director of Event Strategy and Delivery
Role Context and Purpose:
The role played by the Head of Strategy and Innovation is pivotal within the VEC. It will be your responsibility to work with the organisation to develop, implement and monitor a 10-year election delivery strategy that will shape the way elections will be delivered by the VEC for years to come. You will directly oversee four key functions being Business Process Improvement, Research, Evaluation and Strategy that will support both the continuous improvement and major projects designed to optimise operational effectiveness and align with Election Delivery Strategy.
This is a new role within the organisation, one that marks significant change in approach. A change program will need to be led to support this work reflecting the complex and varied stakeholders across the electoral environment. The role will support the VECs advocacy agenda and will look to focus the organisation on critical paths to delivery.
Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the ongoing development and updates of the electoral delivery strategy.
• Champion the electoral delivery strategy, ensuring alignment with organisational goals.
• Chair the Elections Planning Group, setting the agenda and program of work.
• Determine, prioritise, and monitor continuous improvement projects aligned with the election delivery strategy.
• Oversee the program of work event delivery evaluation.
• Ensure robust electoral policies and procedures for seamless election delivery.
• Set the research and business intelligence agenda for the VEC.
• Provide strategic advice based on data analysis and assessment of the electoral landscape.
• Lead, mentor, and appraise the performance of staff to build a highly skilled and engaged workforce.

Soft Skills Required:

• Leadership: Proven experience in leading organisation-wide projects and managing teams effectively.
• Relationship Management: Strong interpersonal skills to establish and maintain relationships at all levels.
• Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills for effective stakeholder engagement.
• Strategic Thinking: Ability to translate strategy into meaningful plans and objectives.
• Collaboration: A relationship builder who fosters collaboration and coordination within and across functional groups.

Desirables:

• Experience in both consulting and public sector roles.
• Proficiency in structured problem-solving.
• Knowledge of project management principles.
• Demonstrated ability to drive a culture of continuous improvement.
• Familiarity with legislative, administrative, financial, and technical aspects of electoral processes.

What can we offer you?
Joining the VEC means contributing to the heart of democratic processes. As a part of our team, you will have the opportunity to shape the future of electoral delivery, foster innovation, and work in an environment that values independence, accountability, innovation, respect, and collaboration.
Office Location:
530 Collins Street, Melbourne, with occasional travel to regional Victoria.
Equal Opportunity Employer:
The VEC is committed to diversity and inclusion, providing reasonable adjustments for applicants with disabilities, and strongly encourages applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Eligibility and Rights to Work in Australia:
Applicants must be Australian citizens, permanent residents, or non-citizens with valid work rights.
Political Impartiality:
Employees must uphold the impartiality and independence of the VEC, and disclosure of political activities will be required.
How to Apply:
To apply, please submit your resume and a cover letter addressing the key selection criteria to by January 18th 2024.
The VEC values diversity and is an equal opportunity employer. We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
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