Manager, Strategy & Engagement

About the Role

As the Manager, Strategy & Engagement, you will lead AUSMASA’s strategic engagement, stakeholder partnerships, and industry insights function across the mining and automotive sectors.

Reporting to the Executive Director, Industry Partnerships & Stewardship, you will lead a high-performing team responsible for stakeholder engagement, consultation activities, industry forums, Strategic Workforce Advisory Panels (SWAPs), membership engagement, and the collection and synthesis of industry intelligence that informs organisational priorities and sector outcomes.

Working at the intersection of industry, government, education, and workforce development, you will build trusted relationships, facilitate meaningful engagement, and translate complex information into actionable insights that support decision-making, workforce initiatives, and broader sector reform activities.

This role is ideally suited to a strategic and relationship-focused leader who enjoys stakeholder engagement, influencing outcomes, leading teams, and using insights to drive meaningful impact.

This is a fixed-term opportunity through to June 2028.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Lead AUSMASA’s stakeholder engagement and partnership activities across the mining and automotive sectors.
• Manage and develop a high-performing team responsible for engagement, consultation, events, membership activities, and stakeholder coordination.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with industry leaders, government representatives, unions, training providers, peak bodies, and other key stakeholders.
• Lead the delivery and facilitation of Strategic Workforce Advisory Panels (SWAPs), industry forums, and consultation activities.
• Analyse and synthesise stakeholder feedback, industry intelligence, and engagement insights to identify trends, opportunities, risks, and priorities.
• Translate complex information into practical recommendations, reports, briefings, and strategic advice to inform organisational and sector outcomes.
• Lead stakeholder engagement planning and initiatives that strengthen industry participation, collaboration, and organisational impact.
• Oversee stakeholder complaints, issues, and escalations, ensuring matters are managed professionally and consistently.
• Oversee the effective use and governance of Borealis and stakeholder management systems across the Industry Partnerships and Stewardship portfolio, ensuring data integrity, reporting accuracy, and consistent stakeholder engagement practices.
• Support governance, reporting, budget management, and planning activities across the Industry Partnerships & Stewardship portfolio.
• Represent AUSMASA at industry events, conferences, forums, and stakeholder meetings nationally.

Interstate travel will be required.

Who You Are

You’re a strategic thinker and relationship builder who enjoys bringing people together, influencing outcomes, and turning stakeholder insights into meaningful action.

You are comfortable operating in complex environments, balancing competing priorities, and engaging with a broad range of stakeholders while maintaining a strong focus on outcomes.

You’ll bring:

• 10+ years in stakeholder engagement, industry partnerships, workforce development, strategy, public policy, membership organisations, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience leading and developing high-performing teams.
• Experience engaging with senior stakeholders across industry, government, education, or related sectors.
• Strong analytical capability, with the ability to synthesise complex qualitative and quantitative information into practical insights and recommendations.
• Experience facilitating consultation processes, forums, workshops, advisory groups, or stakeholder engagement activities.
• Highly developed communication, influencing, negotiation, and relationship management skills.
• Experience preparing reports, briefings, presentations, and strategic documents for senior audiences.
• Strong organisational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver outcomes.

Even Better If You Also Have

• Experience working within the Australian Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector.
• Knowledge of the mining and/or automotive industries.
• Experience working within industry associations, Jobs and Skills Councils, government-funded organisations, or membership-based environments.
• Experience using stakeholder engagement or CRM platforms such as Borealis.
• Experience leading organisational change, engagement, or continuous improvement initiatives.

Why Join AUSMASA?

At AUSMASA, you’ll be part of a team committed to shaping the future workforce of Australia’s mining and automotive sectors. We’re collaborative, inclusive, and purpose-driven, working at the intersection of industry, government, and education to deliver meaningful workforce outcomes.

You’ll enjoy:

• A supportive and flexible hybrid work environment
• Professional development opportunities and career growth
• Meaningful collaboration with industry and government stakeholders
• A commitment to diversity, inclusion, and belonging
• A central Melbourne CBD office with excellent facilities
• The opportunity to contribute to national workforce and skills initiatives with real industry impact

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and encourage you to reach out if you require adjustments or additional support throughout the recruitment process.

Ready to Make an Impact?

Apply now with your resume and cover letter and join AUSMASA in helping shape workforce capability and industry outcomes across Australia’s mining and automotive sectors.

Applications Close

Applications close on Friday 3 July 2026.

We encourage applications as they are received and reserve the right to close the advertisement early should a suitable candidate be identified.