Senior Portfolio Manager - Teaching & Learning

Position overview

The Senior Portfolio Manager – Teaching and Learning is a recognised educational leader with assessment expertise responsible for providing advice and guidance on the planning, development and implementation of high-impact teaching and learning projects and programs, with a particular focus on mathematics and/or English across P–12. The role applies extensive classroom, school and system-level experience, together with demonstrated knowledge of national and international educational research, to strengthen teacher practice and improve student outcomes.

The Senior Portfolio Manager provides educational and project leadership across a portfolio of complex work. They ensure high-quality outcomes for clients and the organisation, on time and on budget, contribute to strategic planning and business development, and act as a recognised educational expert and ambassador for ACER. The role represents ACER through conferences, professional forums, system partnerships and client engagement, supporting the adoption and effective use of ACER products and services.

Position context

The position works across schools, education systems, sectors and jurisdictions to connect research, curriculum, assessment, data and classroom practice. It collaborates with teachers, school and system leaders, researchers, clients and other stakeholders to deliver advice on practical, evidence-based and scalable approaches to teaching and learning. The role strengthens ACER’s educational profile and market presence by providing expert advice, building senior relationships and promoting the effective use of ACER products and services.

Job responsibilities

• Provide educational leadership for the design, delivery and evaluation of evidence-based professional learning, resources and implementation support in mathematics or English across P–12.
• Lead co-design and co-delivery with internal stakeholders, schools, education systems, jurisdictions and other partners.
• Apply classroom, school and system-level experience, educational research and data to identify needs, inform design, monitor implementation and evaluate impact.
• Provide high-level project and program leadership, including management of scope, quality, timelines, budgets, risk and reporting.
• Mentor and support project leaders and staff to achieve positive client, project and educational outcomes.
• Initiate and lead partnerships, new business initiatives, marketing support and serving as a senior point of contact for clients and partners and promoting the educational value of ACER products and services.
• Deliver keynote addresses, workshops and presentations at conferences, professional forums and system-level events, representing ACER and supporting sector engagement, thought leadership and market growth.
• Establish and maintain productive relationships through effective communication, consultation and negotiation
• Provide authoritative advice, briefings and written communication on assessment, curriculum, teaching and learning, school improvement, research and system priorities.
• Work collaboratively across ACER, to connect PAT and other assessment evidence with the School Improvement Tool and broader school improvement initiatives.
• Contribute to the strategic direction, financial performance, business development, product and service advice, and broader professional practice of the division and organisation.
• Recognise and develop talent within the portfolio and broader unit; and
• Work on other projects / programs commensurate with jobsize as required.

Organisational accountabilities

• Proactively work towards achieving individual, team and organisational objectives while demonstrating ACER’s leadership behaviours:

• • Developing Self – involves self-management, self-reflection and self-improvement
  • Embracing Change – being open to change and leading change when appropriate
  • Pursuing Excellence – ongoing search for new and better ways of working
  • Setting Directions – strategic thinking and planning for the future
  • Supporting Colleagues – supporting and contributing to the development of others
  • Working Collaboratively – building highly effective internal and external relationships

• Actively work to create an equitable, fair and harmonious work environment which is free from harassment, bullying and discrimination by demonstrating respectful and courteous behaviour towards others
• Proactively foster an inclusive and diverse work environment which encourages and respects different experiences and perspectives, and values diversity of thought
• Comply with all occupational health and safety requirements, including following safe work practices for self and others
• Comply with all information security requirements, including completing regular security training and abiding by the standards and procedures laid out in ACER’s Information Security Management System
• Work in accordance with ACER’s policies and procedures

Skills, knowledge and experience

Essential

• Extensive education experience at classroom, school/system level, with demonstrated impact on teaching and learning.
• Deep expertise in mathematics or English education across P–12, including curriculum, pedagogy, assessment and teacher professional learning.
• Demonstrated success in designing, delivering and evaluating high-impact professional learning and teaching and learning initiatives at scale.
• Exemplary understanding of national and international educational research and the capacity to translate evidence into practical resources and approaches.
• Strong understanding of assessment and school improvement, with the ability to connect research and assessment evidence to practical improvement strategies for schools and systems.
• Demonstrated expertise in using data and evidence to identify needs, inform practice and evaluate impact.
• Demonstrated experience representing an organisation through keynote addresses, conferences, workshops, professional networks and sector engagement activities.
• Demonstrated ability to engage and influence senior educational stakeholders, including principals, system leaders, government representatives and education sector organisations.
• Recognised leader with substantial experience delivering large and complex education projects or programs from inception to completion.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, consultation, negotiation and relationship-building skills.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor, motivate and lead multidisciplinary teams and staff.
• Excellent analytical, conceptual, problem-solving and change-leadership capability.
• Substantial strategic and commercial acumen, including experience in partnerships, tenders, proposals, business development and communicating the educational value of products and services.

Desirable

• Experience working in more than one Australian education jurisdiction and/or in international education contexts.
• Experience contributing to strategic planning and divisional or corporate objectives and budgets.
• Established professional networks across schools, systems, professional associations, research organisations or education agencies.

Education