Strategic leadership position within Vocational Education & Training

Full-time, 5-years fixed term position at our Hawthorn campus

HEW Level 10 salary + 17% super and attractive staff benefits

About the Role

Swinburne University of Technology is seeking an experienced and strategic leader to join our Vocational Education & Training (VET) unit as the Director, Engagement, Strategy and Pathways.

This senior leadership role manages specialist support programs, partnership and engagement collaborations and job readiness and career services targeted to high priority cohorts including, young people, Indigenous people, unemployed, women returning to work, migrants and refugees, people with a disability, care leavers and care givers, in line with Department of Education, TAFE Services Fund (TSF) and Victorian Skills Authority guidelines.

As the Director, you will lead a portfolio of strategic programs including Student Success Coaches, Skills and Jobs Centre and the SwinLocal collaboration. You will also lead various pilots and initiatives across Vocational Education Teaching Departments in response to strategy and key government policies. You will manage all aspects of the TSF and Victorian Skills Authority Skills and Job Centre contracts as well as VET strategic projects from pilot stages through to scaled roll out and set budgets and financial monitoring to acquittal, and be responsible for the development and maintenance of industry partnerships.

This position plays a critical role in shaping and delivering programs aligned to government priorities and Swinburne’s Ad Astra 2030 strategy.

About You

To be suitable for this role you will need to have experience in the below key accountabilities:

• Demonstrated strategic and/or whole of portfolio project management skills including the ability to manage sustainable relationships with partners, industry driven and designed program and projects.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively with major industry and sector stakeholders to develop and implement innovative education and training support programs and services. This includes developing new partnerships for Swinburne VET.
• Proven experience in the coordination of multiple projects delivered on time and on budget, including reporting requirements and acquittal processes.
• Demonstrated experience in managing project risk including the development of risk registers, and to work collaboratively with stakeholders to solve issues or problems.
• Understanding of the Vocational Education sector and key State and Federal Government policies and programs relevant to role.
• Demonstrated experience in managing or delivering student support or community support services.

Qualifications

• Completion of a relevant postgraduate qualification; or extensive experience and senior management expertise; or an equivalent combination of relevant experience and/or education/training.

About Swinburne University of Technology

Swinburne’s strategy draws upon our understanding of future challenges. We choose to build Swinburne as the prototype of a new and different university – one that is truly of Technology, of Innovation and of Entrepreneurship. We are committed to a differentiated university proposition in education and research.

Our Ad Astra strategy is the cornerstone of Swinburne’s bold ambition to lead globally in technology-driven education and research. This strategy positions us to create transformative solutions, empower learners, and partner with industry to thrive in an ever-changing world.

What We Offer You!

• Work your way with flexible working arrangements, including hybrid options and generous parental leave to support a balanced lifestyle.
• Exclusive staff discounts, including discounted Medibank health insurance, 50% off Swinburne courses and other partner offers.
• Swinburne offers 17% super and salary packaging options, including car leasing and extra super contributions.

Want to learn more? Head over to our benefits page!

To Apply

Please submit your CV and Cover Letter addressing the Key Selection Criteria and your suitability for this position.

To review the Position Description and to apply, please scroll down to the bottom of the page.

If you are viewing this advert from an external site, please click ‘apply’ and you will be redirected to Swinburne’s Jobs website to access the Position Description at the bottom of the page.

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

If you are experiencing technical difficulties with your application, please contact the Swinburne Talent Acquisition Team on talentacquisition@swin.edu.au

Applications Close: Friday, 3 July 2026 at 5:00pm.

Swinburne offers flexible working options contained in our leave and parenting/carer policies to support work-life balance.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Swinburne has become a world-class university, driving social and economic impacts through science, technology, and innovation. As a dual-sector university, our vision is for people and technology working together to build a better world.

Central to our vision is our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We pride ourselves on being an equal opportunity employer focused on attracting, retaining, and developing great talent. We work to remove barriers related to gender identity, culture, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, and age.

We strongly encourage applicants from diverse Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Our Moondani Toombadool Centre leads our Indigenous education and culture at Swinburne, guided by community wisdom and leadership.

We support applicants with disabilities. Adjustments can be requested at any time during the recruitment process. For Reasonable Adjustment requests, including accessible formats for the PD, application form or any other document, please contact at DCR@swin.edu.au or call +61 3 9214 3550.

Please note the above number and DCR email address are for disability or reasonable adjustments queries only. General enquiries about the role can be sent to talentacquisition@swin.edu.au (general enquiries will not be answered by phone).

Victoria’s Commitment to Action: Improving international student employment outcomes.

As a signatory to Victoria’s Commitment to Action, Swinburne seeks to remove barriers to international graduate employment. We welcome and encourage applications from international graduates.

As a Circle Back Initiative Employer, we commit to responding to every applicant.