Senior Manager, Strategic Policy

Reference 1GF6071F
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Job Reference:
1GF6071F
Eligibility:
External Vacancy – Open to Everyone
Business Unit:
Coordinator General’s Office
Location:
Adelaide, CBD
Salary Range:
$148,683
Classification:
SM2
Duration:
Ongoing
Closing Date:
28 Jun 2026

Role Highlights

  • Unique opportunity to take on a leadership role at the centre of SA Government.
  • Competitive remuneration and flexible working arrangements.
  • The ability to influence strategic priorities and delivery outcomes.

Role Details

This role provides leadership in the development and coordination of strategic policy, state development strategies, and roadmaps within the Coordinator General’s Office. It brings together whole-of-government inputs, aligns competing policy positions, and translates government objectives into coherent, actionable frameworks that support investment, reform, and delivery across multiple sectors. Operating in a complex and evolving environment, the role provides senior advice on strategic risks, trade-offs, and opportunities, while helping shape the public narrative around state development priorities. It works closely with senior executives, industry leaders, and key stakeholders across government to ensure strategies are evidence-based, politically astute, and capable of driving coordinated action.

Key Responsibilities:


  • Lead the development of strategic policy positions and whole-of-government strategies aligned to state priorities and deliverable outcomes.
  • Coordinate senior stakeholder engagement across government to resolve policy differences, align priorities, and support informed decision-making.
  • Translate strategy into implementation roadmaps with sequencing, milestones, ownership, and consideration of delivery constraints.
  • Design governance and decision-support processes that enable timely, evidence-based, and defensible policy advice.

About You:

  • A strategic policy leader with demonstrated experience developing complex policy positions, strategies, or planning frameworks in government or similarly complex environments.
  • You bring strong judgement, political awareness, and the ability to work across multiple agencies and competing priorities to achieve practical outcomes.
  • You are an effective executive communicator and negotiator, capable of influencing senior stakeholders and building trusted relationships across government, industry, and community sectors.
  • You combine systems thinking with sound analytical capability, and you are confident translating strategic intent into deliverable roadmaps, supported by strong governance, clear advice, and a collaborative leadership style.

Why This Role:

  • This is a significant opportunity to help shape South Australia’s future through the development of state development strategies and policy directions that influence investment, reform, and cross-sector delivery.
  • The role sits at the centre of high-profile, whole-of-government work and offers direct exposure to strategic decision-making at the senior executive level. It will appeal to experienced leaders who enjoy working in complex, high-stakes environments and who are motivated by impact, influence, and public value.
  • With competitive executive remuneration and flexible working arrangements, this role offers the chance to contribute to outcomes that matter for the state’s economic, social, environmental, and regional priorities.

Special Conditions

  • The Incumbent will be required to participate in the department's Performance Management Program.
  • The Incumbent may be assigned to another position at this remuneration level or equivalent.
  • This role requires a National Criminal History check.
  • This role requires a Security Clearance (including Baseline, Negative Vetting Level 1, Negative Vetting Level 2, Positive Vetting).

For more information please see the role description:

About the Department

The Department of the Premier and Cabinet (DPC) drives the Premier's priorities in South Australia. Our vision is to be the heart of government through providing important leadership, trusted advice and strategy as well as central support services for the social, environmental and economic issues that we face. Our staff enjoy working with colleagues who value integrity, knowledge and intellectual capability. They exemplify the public sector purpose: Making a difference so South Australia thrives.

About the Business

The creation of the Coordinator General’s Office is a key feature of the State Development Coordination and Facilitation Act, which recently passed Parliament.

The legislation aims to address challenges and delays in assessment and approval processes, while critically maintaining South Australia’s high levels of statutory protection.

Overseen by the Coordinator General, the new mechanisms will help manage a growing number of urgent and significant projects, including those involving housing, decarbonisation, and AUKUS, in a timelier manner.

Contact Us

Enquiries to Amber Pellerin - Manager Executive Services, Coordinator General’s Office
0456 763 636

Diversity and Inclusion

The Department of the Premier and Cabinet is committed to creating an inclusive and diverse workplace that is reflective of the community we serve.

We welcome and value applications from candidates who are of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent, candidates with culturally diverse backgrounds, candidates with disability and those from the LGBTIQA+ community.

We are committed to making reasonable adjustments to ensure a safe and healthy working environment. If you require any additional support, please provide us with details through the application process.

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.