This is a permanent full-time position commencing October 2026

The Department of Education’s strategic directions outline the commitment for every child, from Kindergarten to Year 12 to have access to high-quality education underpinned by excellence in teaching and quality leadership.

This is an education that meets the needs of the learner, preparing them for future success. Statewide Services provides the services and supports required by schools to enable student achievement, with a focus on those students and schools that need it most. It encompasses both school and system-facing service delivery. While it primarily exists to support schools, it also has an important system-facing role supporting strategy and policy development.

Service Delivery is the key interface with schools. Its purpose is to plan, coordinate and deliver targeted services that support schools and regions to improve student achievement.

The Role

The Principal Consultant Contracts is a senior advisory role responsible for facilitating, developing, and managing complex and high-risk contracts to support the Department’s strategic objectives. This role oversees the entire contract lifecycle, including procurement planning, contract formation, documentation, and evaluation, while ensuring compliance with probity and quality assurance standards. By proactively managing contracts, the consultant minimises procurement risks and maximises value-for-money outcomes. Additionally, the role provides high-level professional and strategic support for the development, implementation, and coordination of key projects, programs, and initiatives that align with current and emerging needs within the education sector.

In this role, the Principal Consultant Contracts leads and facilitates coordinated support to regions and schools, aiming to enhance student achievement and educational outcomes. The Principal Consultant Contracts engages in extensive consultation and negotiation with internal and external stakeholders, fostering effective communication and collaboration across business units to ensure integrated service delivery. Responsibilities include researching and preparing briefing papers, correspondence, project budgets, and confidential reports while maintaining strong stakeholder relationships to access diverse specialist knowledge. With a culturally responsive and context-specific approach, the Principal Consultant Contracts ensures productive and respectful engagement with all stakeholders to drive continuous improvement and successful outcomes.

Professional Benefits

We are conveniently located in Padbury and our employees enjoy a range of benefits which include: 

• 12% employer contributed superannuation.
• Flexible working arrangements are genuinely considered to create healthy work life balance including; working from home or remote, flexible working hours and part-time arrangements
• Generous leave entitlements including annual, personal, long service and parental leave
• Professional development opportunities and study leave/assistance
• Access to salary packaging (in accordance with relevant industrial instruments) 

Want to know more?

Full details of the role, selection criteria and training requirements are listed in the attached Job Description Form (JDF).

For more information about this opportunity, please contact Clint May, Principal Consultant on (08) 9402 6471 or by emailing Clint.May@education.wa.edu.au

Agency Referrals: Public sector agencies seeking to refer surplus employees should contact Recruitment at centralservices.recruitment@education.wa.edu.au during the advertising period. 

We are committed to building the leadership capability of our people (Building Leadership Impact).

Equity and Diversity

We are committed to an inclusive and culturally responsive workforce reflecting the diversity in our workplaces and the Western Australian community. We welcome and encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, young people, people of diverse sexualities and genders, people with disability, and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

Explore our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Plan 2021-2025 for more details.

Eligibility

To work with us, you must: 

• be an Australian or New Zealand citizen, permanent resident or have a valid visa with relevant work rights for the term of the appointment.
• consent to a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check and obtain a current Screening Clearance Number issued by the Department of Education’s Screening Unit before you start.
• obtain or hold a current Working with Children Check

More information about employment eligibility can be found on our website and in the attached Job Description Form (JDF).

Application Instructions

Apply online in two easy steps:

Step 1: Select Apply for Job

Complete the online application form, including details of two (2) work related referees, preferably one being your current line manager.

Step 2: Attach your documents

Your application should include: 

• A CV of up to four (4) pages outlining your employment history and professional learning summary relevant to this position
• A three (3) page statement addressing the following selection criteria 1, 2 and 3 as outlined in the attached JDF:

1. Demonstrated substantial knowledge and understanding of current initiatives and issues that support schools and regions to improve student achievement.
2. Demonstrated high-level planning and management skills with a proven ability to plan and coordinate initiatives in a complex environment.
3. Demonstrated highly developed conceptual, analytical and problem-solving skills and experience in applying strategic thinking to achieve outcomes and implementing effective change management strategies to achieve educational outcomes.

It is recommended you have your attachments ready before selecting Apply for Job.

Your application must be received before the closing date and time. Late applications will not be accepted.

For technical support submitting your application, you can call the Department of Education’s Recruitment team on (08) 9264 4127 for assistance.

Advertised Vacancy Number: DOE1064321

Applicants assessed as suitable may be considered for similar vacancies that arise in our branch within the next 12 months. This includes circumstances where this position becomes subsequently vacant should the successful applicant decline or vacate the advertised position.

The Department applies a four (4) day breach period to this selection process.

Applications close: 4.30pm (AWST) on Friday, 30 October 2026