Change Management Lead (Red Fleet)

the original; Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 135,000 - 149,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

4 weeks annual leave

MAP for members & family

Salary packaging options

Agreed Absence leave day per month

Professional development programs

Fitness Passport access

Job summary

Rural Fire Service in Sydney is seeking an experienced Change Management Lead to drive the development and delivery of change management strategies for a major reform program. You will assess impacts, engage stakeholders, and guide adoption across NSW agencies and partners.

The role focuses on building strong relationships, managing readiness, and reporting on progress to support governance and decision-making. Flexible working arrangements may apply; the program runs through to mid-2029.

Qualifications

• Experience leading change management for complex projects or enterprise reforms.
• Advanced stakeholder engagement and relationship management.
• Strong communication, facilitation and presentation skills.
• Proven ability to operate in ambiguity and drive adoption.
• Understanding readiness planning, adoption support, and benefits realisation.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and delivery of change management strategies and plans for the program.
• Assess change impacts, identify stakeholder needs and develop engagement approaches.
• Provide expert advice on change-related risks and opportunities to leaders.
• Build relationships across NSW RFS and stakeholders and provide reporting for decisions.

Skills

Change management leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Communication facilitation

Ambiguity navigation

Readiness & adoption

Job description

• Temporary employment for a period up to 30 June 2029

• Temporary employment for a period up to 30 June 2029
• Full time role & 35hour working week
• Attractive annual salary $135,149 - $148,929p.a. plus 12% superannuation
• Location: Sydney Olympic Park(flexible working arrangements considered)

What You'll Be Doing

As the Change Management Lead, you will lead the development and delivery of change management strategies, plans and activities that support the successful implementation of the Red Fleet Ownership and Maintenance Transfer Program.

Working closely with the Director Fleet Transition, Executive Steering Committee, Program Control Group, program team and workstream leads, you will assess change impacts, identify stakeholder needs and develop targeted approaches to support engagement, readiness and adoption. You will provide expert advice on change-related risks and opportunities, helping leaders and teams navigate complex reform while maintaining alignment with program objectives and governance requirements.

You will build and maintain strong relationships across the NSW RFS, councils, government agencies, suppliers and other key stakeholders, ensuring those affected by the program are informed, engaged and supported throughout the transition. The role will be responsible for monitoring organisational readiness, identifying resistance and implementation risks, developing practical mitigation strategies, and providing insightful reporting to support decision-making. Through a people-centred approach, you will help create and embed sustainable change outcomes, strengthen stakeholder commitment and contribute to an enterprise reform seeking to reshape firefighting capabilities in NSW.

About Our Ideal Candidate

We're seeking an experienced and influential change management professional who can successfully lead people through complex organisational reform program. You will be a strategic thinker with strong stakeholder engagement skills, capable of translating program objectives into practical change initiatives that build understanding, readiness and adoption across a diverse stakeholder environment.

Our ideal candidate will have:

• Demonstrated experience leading change management activities for complex projects, programs or enterprise-wide reforms, with a strong understanding of contemporary change management methodologies and practices.
• Advanced stakeholder engagement and relationship management skills, with the ability to influence, coach and partner with executive leaders, project teams and diverse stakeholder groups.
• Strong communication, facilitation and presentation skills, with the ability to translate complex information into clear, practical and people-centred messages.
• Proven ability to operate effectively in ambiguity, identify change impacts, mitigate risks and drive successful adoption outcomes in fast-paced and dynamic environments.
• Practical understanding of readiness planning, stakeholder alignment, adoption support, resistance management, communications, reporting and benefits realisation.

Why work for us?

• Attractive leave entitlements including 4 weeks annual leave per year, plus more
• Free access to our Member Assistance Program (MAP) for all RFS members, and their immediate family
• Salary packaging options available
• One 'Agreed Absence' leave day per calendar month
• Ongoing learning and professional development programs (RFS is a Registered Training Organisation giving you access to various internal courses)
• Partnership with Fitness Passport for eligible RFS staff and their families to access more than 845 gyms and pools!

You'll also get to enjoy:

• Easy access to Sydney Olympic Park Train Station, bus services and parking facilities
• Local eateries and childcare facilities
• Sydney Olympic Park Entertainment and Sports Precinct, including Accor Stadium, Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney Showgrounds, and Bicentennial Park
• Eligible staff are invited to join the local Sydney Olympic Park Connected Membership program, at an additional cost

To embark on your RFS journey:

Candidates are encouraged to prepare their applications independently to ensure they accurately reflect their skills and experience.

The Rural Fire Service values authentic, original responses that reflect individual perspectives and alignment with its values and priorities. Skills, knowledge, and capability will be assessed and verified through the capability assessment process.

Please submit your application no later than 11:55pm Friday 25th September 2026.

Important recruitment Information

• A recruitment (talent) pool may be created through this recruitment process to fill future ongoing, temporary, casual and term, full time or part time opportunities.
• We value a diverse and inclusive workplace and are committed to ensuring our employees represent the diversity of communities that we serve.
• If you require an adjustment during the recruitment process, please include any details that you are comfortable sharing during the application process, alternatively, you can reach out to the role expert to discuss.
• The recruitment process may involve a range of assessment activities to determine your capabilities for the role (aligning to the NSW PSC Capability Framework). The Capability application tool is designed to help job applicants understand and use the NSW Public Sector Capability Framework when applying for jobs with the NSW government. Additional checks for successful applicants will include referee checks and criminal history checks.

Vacancy Reference: R26-273

This may not be the role for you, however you can check out other vacancies in the RFS here, or consider volunteering with your local Brigade.

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