Reform Strategy Lead

Uniting; Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary packaging

Fitness Passport

Exclusive employee discounts

Hybrid working

North Parramatta campus

Job summary

Uniting NSW.ACT is seeking an experienced Reform Strategy Lead to guide responses to government reforms, assess implications for services, and identify opportunities to invest, partner, redesign or pursue new work.

You will work within the Communities Directorate and Business Development Hub, translating policy into strategic options, preparing decision papers and reform roadmaps to support timely executive decisions. This role emphasizes collaboration and cross‑functional influence.

Qualifications

• Substantial experience in strategy, reform, commissioning or business development within human services.
• Ability to lead an organisation’s response to significant government reform or recommissioning.
• Strong executive writing skills and experience in government tender strategy or bid readiness.

Responsibilities

• Translate government policy, funding and commissioning reforms into clear strategic advice and practical recommendations.
• Assess the implications of reform across service portfolios, including financial, workforce, property and service delivery considerations.
• Develop decision papers, reform roadmaps and reporting to support timely executive decisions.
• Identify and prioritise commissioning and tender opportunities with the Business Development Hub.
• Strengthen partnerships with Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) and other sector partners.
• Lead through collaboration and influence across the organisation without direct line management.

Job description

We’re looking for an experienced Reform Strategy Lead to help us understand emerging government reforms, assess their implications for our services and identify where we should invest, partner, redesign or pursue new opportunities.

Working within our Communities Directorate and Business Development Hub, you’ll bring together strategic, commercial, financial and service delivery insights to help senior leaders make informed decisions. Your work will shape our reform roadmap, strengthen tender readiness and support the long-term sustainability of services for people, families and communities.

This is an opportunity to put your experience in human services strategy, reform or commissioning to work in a role with genuine organisational influence.

What you’ll do

• Translate government policy, funding and commissioning reforms into clear strategic advice and practical recommendations.
• Assess the implications of reform across our service portfolio, including financial, workforce, property and service delivery considerations.
• Develop decision papers, reform roadmaps and reporting that support timely executive decisions.
• Identify and prioritise commissioning and tender opportunities, working closely with our Business Development Hub.
• Strengthen partnerships with Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) and other sector partners, respecting Aboriginal self‑determination.
• Bring people together across the organisation, leading through collaboration and influence rather than direct line management.

What you’ll bring

You’ll have substantial experience in strategy, reform, commissioning or business development within human services, with a demonstrated ability to lead an organisation’s response to significant government reform or recommissioning.

You’ll also bring:

• A sound understanding of the NSW and Commonwealth commissioning environment, including DCJ and NDIS funding and contracting arrangements.
• Experience analysing complex service portfolios and translating financial, workforce and operational information into clear options and recommendations.
• Strong executive writing skills, including decision papers that inform strategic choices.
• Experience in government tender strategy or bid readiness, and leading cross‑functional work without direct authority.
• Experience developing partnerships with ACCOs or Aboriginal‑led organisations in a way that respects self‑determination.

A relevant tertiary qualification in social policy, public policy, business, social work or a related field, or equivalent relevant experience, is required. Postgraduate study, experience working with government as a commissioner, policy officer or contract manager, or experience in service mobilisation would be an advantage.

You’ll work with a team of six within our Business Development Hub, based at Uniting’s beautiful Blackwood Place campus in North Parramatta, with plenty of free parking available.

The role offers a hybrid working arrangement, with three days in the office and two days working from home. Tuesday is the team’s anchor day, and no travel is required.

This is a full‑time, 12‑month fixed‑term contract, with the possibility of extension.

Our recruitment process

First‑round interviews will be held face to face at Sydney CBD office, commencing from Tuesday, 10 November 2026. Candidates successful at this stage will be invited to complete a workplace assessment exercise, with a brief provided.

If you have the experience to interpret complex reform, bring people together and help shape sound strategic decisions, we’d welcome your application.

Access to outstanding not‑for‑profit salary packaging, helping you pay less tax and take home more of your income. Better still, your full annual benefit is available from 1 April 2026, allowing you to maximise your tax savings from the start of the FBT year.

Flexible hybrid working.

Access to Fitness Passport, providing discounted access to hundreds of gyms, pools, and fitness facilities across Australia to help you live your best life.

Exclusive employee discounts through our U Rewards program.

The chance to do meaningful work every day for an organisation committed to inspiring people, enlivening communities, and confronting injustice.

About Uniting

Uniting NSW.ACT contributes to the work and mission of the Uniting Church in NSW and the ACT through social justice advocacy, community services, and spiritual care. We provide care and support for people through all ages and stages of life, with a focus on people experiencing disadvantage and vulnerability. Our purpose is to inspire people, enliven communities, and confront injustice.

Uniting is a Child Safe Organisation committed to promoting the safety, wellbeing and inclusion of children and young people.

Employment is subject to the relevant checks and clearances for the role, which may include a National Police Check, Working with Children Check and NDIS Worker Screening Check. Candidates must have the right to work in Australia and demonstrate a commitment to Uniting’s values and child‑safe practices.