Industry Engagement Specialist - Western Pathways Program

Jesuit Social Services; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 95,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Salary packaging

Generous leave

Induction program

Ongoing training

Employee assistance program

Job summary

Jesuit Social Services in Melbourne is seeking an Industry Engagement Specialist for the Western Pathways Program to build strong relationships with local employers across Western Melbourne. You will identify job opportunities, coordinate recruitment and onboarding, and provide ongoing support to participants and employers to ensure smooth transitions into work or further education.

The role focuses on collaborative, place-based solutions that promote social and economic inclusion, aligning

Qualifications

• Experience in employer engagement, recruitment, or workforce development.
• Strong knowledge of Western Melbourne labour market.
• Experience with diverse community groups and stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain relationships with local employers and industry across Western Melbourne.
• Identify suitable job opportunities and facilitate recruitment and onboarding.
• Provide ongoing support to participants and employers.
• Align participant goals with local workforce needs to support transitions into employment or education.

Skills

Employer engagement

Recruitment

Workforce development

Labour market knowledge

Education

Training pathways knowledge

Apprenticeship/traineeship models

Education entry requirements

Job description

Industry Engagement Specialist - Western Pathways Program

Jesuit Social Services is a social change organisation working to build a just society where all people can live to their full potential. We reflect on the critical factors shaping our contemporary world; the social, political and economic contexts, and we adapt our practice to work with those most in need.

Since 1977, Jesuit Social Services has provided services to some of the most disadvantaged in our community.

We place a high priority on advocacy and are a leader in policy development and research.

About the role

The Industry Engagement Specialist (IES) plays a key role in the Western Pathways Program by developing and maintaining strong relationships with local employers and industry across Western Melbourne. The IES supports participant-centred employment pathways by identifying suitable job opportunities, facilitating recruitment and onboarding, and providing ongoing support to both participants and employers.

The purpose of this role is to ensure participants experience smooth and sustainable transitions into employment, education, or training by aligning individual goals and strengths with local workforce needs. The IES contributes to a place-based, community-led approach by collaborating with industry, cultural organisations, and community stakeholders to create tailored, long-term workforce solutions that support social and economic inclusion.

What Jesuit Social Services can offer you:

• An organisation that lives its values, through its day to day work
• A welcoming and supportive relational environment
• A comprehensive Induction and Orientation program
• Ongoing training and development related to your role
• Employee assistance program
• A competitive salary plus salary packaging benefits
• Generous leave

About the program

Western Pathways is an engagement and diversionary program designed to respond to community concerns about increasing social and economic disadvantage and its connection to negative social and community behaviours across Melbourne’s western region. The program supports people experiencing economic and social exclusion, with a strong focus on young people aged 15-24 and their families who are facing unemployment and increasing cost-of-living pressures. Through early intervention and prevention, Western Pathways works with individuals and families before offending occurs, supporting positive choices, reducing risk factors associated with antisocial behaviour, and strengthening community safety and wellbeing.

The program delivers a participant-centred service from initial engagement through to further education, training or employment. Tailored pathways are developed in partnership with each participant, aligning individual aspirations with workforce and community needs while ensuring access to holistic supports that promote health, mental health, family stability and overall wellbeing. Central to Western Pathways is the development of trust-based, culturally safe relationships that enable staff to understand participants’ goals and circumstances and respond effectively. Referrals are sourced from Victoria Police (including Proactive Policing Units), youth and community organisations, cultural organisations, courts, government agencies and families. Engagement is voluntary and does not impact existing welfare or support arrangements. The ultimate objective of Western Pathways is to improve long-term employment and wellbeing outcomes, reduce intergenerational disadvantage, and promote positive community engagement and participation across Melbourne’s west.

About you

The Industry Engagement Specialist will be required to demonstrate the following:

• Proven experience in employer engagement, recruitment, or workforce development, with strong knowledge of local labour market conditions in Western Melbourne.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with training and education providers, including TAFEs, RTOs, and community education organisations.
• Experience working with diverse community groups, including multicultural communities, young people, and participants with complex needs.
• Strong understanding of training pathways, apprenticeship/traineeship models, and education entry requirements.
• Highly developed communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills, with ability to coordinate multi-stakeholder pathways.
• Ability to work in a participant-centred and trauma-informed manner, with a focus on trust, respect, and tailored support.

Applications close at 5.00pm Tuesday 20th October 2026

Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis and the closing date may be subject to change without notice.

Jesuit Social Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to providing a working environment that embraces and values diversity and inclusion. We celebrate and welcome all people regardless of ethnicity, cultural background, age, gender, sexuality, disability or religious affiliation.

We strongly encourage applications from all community members including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, members of the LGBTIQA+ community, people with a disability, people of culturally diverse backgrounds and working parents.

Jesuit Social Services is a Child Safe organisation and is committed to protecting children and young people from harm. We require all applicants to undergo an extensive screening process prior to appointment.