Lead, Workforce Operations

RMIT University; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 121,000 - 137,000; Full time

Job summary

RMIT University is seeking an experienced people leader to head the Workforce Operations team within STEM College, guiding the delivery of responsive and continuously improving workforce services across campus.

The role focuses on coaching, governance, data-driven performance insights and stakeholder engagement, with strong change management capabilities to align processes with university policies and drive service excellence.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience leading service-based teams to deliver consistent, high-quality operational outcomes.
• Strong understanding of workforce processes, systems and compliance requirements in higher education.
• Proven ability to establish and maintain governance frameworks, ensuring policies, procedures and standards are applied.
• Experience driving continuous improvement, including process standardisation, automation and service optimisation.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and advisory capability, with the ability to influence senior stakeholders.
• Highly developed analytical skills to interpret data, identify trends and inform decisions.
• Demonstrated capacity to work independently and manage competing priorities in a high-volume environment.
• Knowledge of relevant policies, procedures and standards with practical operational advice.
• Highly developed written and verbal communication skills for reports, briefings and correspondence.
• Strong relationship management and negotiation skills with College leadership and central service partners.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Workforce Operations team to deliver consistent, high-quality operational outcomes.
• Strengthen ways of working, build team capability and drive continuous improvement.
• Drive workforce services optimisation, governance and policy alignment across STEM College.
• Use data and reporting to monitor performance, identify trends and inform priorities.
• Engage with senior stakeholders and central service partners to enable effective decision-making.

Skills

People leadership

Service delivery

Workforce planning

Continuous improvement

Data analytics

Stakeholder management

Change management

Policy alignment

Written & verbal comms

Digital systems

Education

Relevant qualification or industry experience

Job description

Overview: Full‑time, Fixed Term position until 31 December 2027 (Secondment Backfill) Salary HEW 8 ($121,213 - $136,507 p.a.) + 17% Superannuation and Flexible Working Arrangements Based At the Melbourne CBD campus, but may be required to work and/or be based at other campuses of the University

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced people leader to lead our Workforce Operations team and support the delivery of effective, responsive and continuously improving workforce services across STEM College.

The ideal candidate will bring strong experience leading and developing teams within a service delivery environment, with the ability to manage competing priorities, plan and balance workloads, and build a positive and accountable team culture.

• Strong people leadership and team management experience
• Service delivery and operational management capability
• Workforce and workload planning
• Continuous improvement and service optimisation
• Using data and reporting to monitor performance, identify trends and inform priorities
• Strong stakeholder management and the ability to navigate complex service environments
• Experience leading teams through change and embedding new ways of working

This is an opportunity to lead an established and capable team, shaping and guiding the continued development of the Workforce Operations function. The role will focus on strengthening ways of working, building team capability, and driving continuous improvement in how workforce services are delivered across STEM College.

To be successful in this position, you’ll have:

• Demonstrated experience leading service-based teams to deliver consistent, high-quality operational outcomes, including coaching, developing and managing team performance.
• Strong understanding of workforce processes, systems and compliance requirements, ideally within a higher education environment.
• Proven ability to establish and maintain governance frameworks, ensuring consistent application of policies, procedures and standards.
• Experience driving continuous improvement, including process standardisation, automation and service optimisation.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and advisory capability, with the ability to influence and guide senior stakeholders.
• Highly developed analytical skills, including the ability to interpret data, identify trends and provide insights to inform decision‑making.
• Demonstrated capacity to exercise sound judgement, work independently and manage competing priorities in a high-volume operational environment.
• Demonstrated knowledge of, and ability to interpret and apply, relevant policies, procedures and standards, providing practical and consistent operational advice.
• Highly developed written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to prepare clear, concise reports, briefings and correspondence, and facilitate effective discussions.
• Strong relationship management and negotiation skills, with the ability to work effectively with College leadership, academic and professional staff, and central service partners.
• High‑level digital and systems capability, including proficiency in business systems, spreadsheets, databases and reporting tools to support operational management and data integrity.
• Relevant qualification and/or relevant industry experience.

Please Note: Appointment to this position is subject to passing a Working with Children and National Police Check.

About the STEM College

The STEM College holds a leading position and expertise in the science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and health (STEM) fields. We are uniquely positioned to influence and partner with industry as never before. The STEM College is a community of exceptional STEM researchers, teachers, inventors, designers and game‑changers, supported by talented professional staff. We offer higher education programs across all STEM disciplines at the Bachelor, Master and PhD levels, and ensure our students experience an education that is work‑aligned and life‑changing. The College is renowned for its exemplary research in many STEM areas including advanced manufacturing and design; computing technologies; health innovation and translational medicine; nano materials and devices; and sustainable systems. Our brilliant researchers attract funding from government and industry sources. Industry is at the heart of what we do. It ensures our research has real world impact and our students are truly work‑ready. We have established new hubs of industry‑connected digital innovation and endeavour and are engaging with global STEM organisations at scale. Our diversity and shared values empower our work, and we are proud of the College’s inclusive, caring culture. We offer a safe, dynamic work environment, and support every member of our community to achieve their potential. The College appointed Victoria’s first ever Dean of STEMM, Diversity & Inclusion in 2020, and this role drives gender equity, diversity and inclusion strategies across the College. The STEM College employs 1,000 staff who deliver onshore and offshore programs to approximately 20,000 students. We are here to positively impact the world and create the next generation of STEM leaders.

https://www.rmit.edu.au/about/schools-colleges/stem-college

STEM College Operations

Under the leadership of the General Manager, the College Operations Group comprises the following functions Student Lifecycle Operations & Service Optimisation Facilities & Technical Services Program Lifecycle & Governance Business Development & Partnerships Together, they provide comprehensive, end-to-end professional support that underpins the strategic and operational success of the College, ensuring alignment with University policies and procedures.

Position Description – Lead, Workforce Operations Applications Close: 11 Nov 2026 11.59 pm

RMIT is an equal opportunity employer committed to being a child safe organisation. We are dedicated to attracting, retaining and developing our people regardless of gender identity, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability and age. Applications are encouraged from all sectors of the community, and we strongly encourage applications from the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander community. In line with RMIT University’s commitment to a safe, respectful and inclusive environment, from 1 January 2026, the University will also consider gender‑based violence (GBV) risk factors as part of our recruitment processes. All applicants will be required to complete a gender‑based violence declaration in accordance with the National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based Violence. Preferred candidates will also be required to undertake relevant pre‑employment background checks, including Working With Children Checks. Information provided will be treated confidentially and considered only for its relevance to the role and RMIT’s safety obligations. At RMIT, we are committed to supporting adjustments throughout the recruitment and selection process, as well as during employment. We actively support and encourage people with disability to apply to RMIT (including alternate formats of application forms). To discuss adjustment requirements, please contact Dani, via [e-mail] or visit our Careers page for more contact information - https://www.rmit.edu.au/careers. We are a Circle Back Initiative Employer – we commit to respond to every applicant.

Culture

Our Values inspire us, wherever we are in the world, and guide how we live and work together. Imagination. Integrity. Courage. Passion. Impact. Inclusion. What unites us is our purpose and our values; they are at the heart of who we are, what we stand for, how we make decisions and connect with each other. Our people make everything at the University possible. We encourage new approaches to work and learning, stimulating change to drive positive impact. RMIT exists to create transformative experiences for our students, getting them ready for life and work. You will be a part of a productive and collaborative team, who values working relationships and outcomes through open and inclusive planning, continuous information sharing and transparent work practices. Find out what makes RMIT a great place to work