Principal Consultant

This is a permanent full-time position commencing May 2026

We’re seeking an experienced and dynamic Principal Consultant – a pivotal role in providing strategic and operational support to the Enterprise Governance and Partnerships division.

The Enterprise Governance and Partnerships Division drives high performance at a system level by providing senior leaders with visibility and assurance of system performance and improvement initiatives and confidence in the management of key external partnerships. We do this by:

• developing and maintaining effective partnerships to support strategic alignment and positive relationships both within and external to the Department, including with higher and international education stakeholders
• ensuring strategic responses and projects are delivered within expectations underpinned by quality project and program management methodologies
• improving oversight of high-level strategic priorities and projects through increased visibility and quality assurance
• aligning governance standards to the strategic significance and complexity of initiatives
• supporting evidence-based decision making through effective use of intelligence and data.

The Role

The Principal Consultant provides high-level strategic advice and support to the Executive Director on reforms, priorities, and initiatives of significant impact across the Department. This includes analysing complex issues, undertaking targeted research, and delivering evidence-based policy and strategic management advice to inform decision making. The role also involves building strong relationships with senior stakeholders across the Department, other agencies, and external organisations to support collaboration and alignment on key priorities.

In supporting the effective operation of the Enterprise Governance and Partnerships Division, the Principal Consultant plays a key role in coordinating, managing, and quality assuring documentation associated with projects, programs, and divisional initiatives. This includes preparing high-quality briefings, correspondence, reports, speeches, and other documentation, as well as overseeing project planning elements such as budgets and timelines to ensure initiatives are delivered efficiently and meet strategic objectives.

The role also provides leadership and guidance on organisational development, governance, and risk management. Working closely with directorates and senior management, the Principal Consultant ensures emerging issues are identified, analysed, and addressed systematically, while providing advice on policies, procedures, and operational matters to support effective and accountable delivery across the division.

Professional Benefits

We are conveniently located in East Perth 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).
• Enjoy easy access to public transport with the Claisebrook train station just a 5-minute walk away or, take advantage of the free Yellow Cat bus service that stops outside our building entrance. Additionally, various CPP parking locations are within walking distance.

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 Milanna Heberle, Executive Director, Enterprise Governance and Partnerships on 0407025310 or emailing milanna.heberle@education.wa.edu.au

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.

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