Operations & People Lead - PLMSP

Operations & People Lead

The Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme is a signature initiative for the Australian Government that enables workers from 9 Pacific Island Countries (PICs) and Timor-Leste to work in priority sectors in Australia. The Pacific Labour Mobility Support Program's (PLMSP) role is to provide the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and governments in 9 PICs and Timor-Leste with support to enable workers to access PALM scheme in inclusive ways that maximize the benefits for the workers and national economies while minimizing risks from labour mobility participation. Palladium is contracted to deliver PLMSP on behalf of DFAT.

The Operations & People Lead, as a member of the PLMSP Senior Leadership Team (SLT) is responsible for ensuring efficient and effective delivery of all support services across the project. With the support of the Deputy Team Leader, the role will provide high quality operations management, fostering high performance program outcomes and a team culture of inclusion across a complex regional program. The role will provide direct management and oversight of operations including program finance and budgeting, procurement and contracting and project human resources team including talent acquisition, capacity and performance development, and health, risk and safety. This is a fixed term opportunity required to September 2028, based in our Brisbane office.

The Operations & People Lead will be responsible for:

• Provide strategic leadership to a large, multi-country operations team, driving process improvement and team performance.
• Oversee core operational functions including finance, procurement, grants, contracting, and office management across six locations.
• Ensure compliance with Commonwealth Procurement and Grant Rules, and manage budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting.
• Lead HR lifecycle activities in partnership with the HR Senior Manager, including recruitment, onboarding, performance, and employee relations.
• Manage program risk and safeguards (fraud, anti-corruption, child protection), maintaining the Risk Register and reporting to senior leadership.
• Drive operational system improvements to support efficient delivery of workplans and strategic goals.
• Foster strong client relationships, ensure contract and financial compliance, and champion sustainable and inclusive project delivery.
• Promote innovation through technology and data use and advocate for Australian development priorities and DFAT policies.
• Lead and mentor the Operations and HR team, building capability and modelling inclusive leadership.
• Report to the Deputy Team Leader – Chief of Operations, with two direct reports, and contribute to cross-functional collaboration and team culture.

We are seeking an individual who:

• Has tertiary qualifications in Business, Management, Finance, Human Resources or Project Management or an equivalent combination of relevant experience and/or education.
• Has minimum 10 years' relevant work experience leading multi-disciplined operational functions (HR, Finance, Procurement, Risk Management).
• Has significant demonstrated experience in a similar role working with DFAT programs, Aid or donor programs or with a managing contractor.
• Has significant senior management experience and capabilities with strong interpersonal and communication skills with experience leading diverse teams.
• Has highly developed analytical skills, well-honed judgement, ability to prioritise, political nous, and an ability to work calmly under pressure.
• Has excellent stakeholder engagement skills including the ability to develop trust and rapport with key internal and external stakeholders.
• Has demonstrated experience and strong understanding of the Australian Aid Program and DFAT policies, requirements and contracts.
• Has highly experienced in providing strategic advice to senior officials to lead organisational change and build institutional capacity to implement priorities.
• Has strong ability to prepare accessible written reports and to present findings to a wide range of stakeholders.
• Has experience working with programs in the Pacific, with a strong understanding of gender equality concepts and issues.
• Has flexibility to travel to various locations throughout the APAC region.

We are committed to building a diverse, geographically dispersed workforce to maximize our support. We encourage applications from candidates from Pacific Island countries, Timor-Leste, and across Australia. You must have valid Australian or country specific work rights to be considered for this position - visa sponsorship is not available. We strongly encourage people with disability to apply. Disclosing about your disability will not negatively affect your application. Please tell us as much as you feel comfortable for us to work with you about the appropriate adjustments that you might need. If you would like further information or assistance with this, please contact recruitment@plmsp.com.au.

Palladium is a global leader in the design, development, and delivery of Positive Impact – the intentional creation of enduring social and economic value. We work with governments, businesses, and investors to solve the world's most pressing challenges. With a team of more than 4,000 employees operating in 90-plus countries and a global network of over 35,000 experts, we help improve economies, societies, and, most importantly, people's lives.

Palladium is committed to embedding equity, diversity, and inclusion into everything we do. We welcome applications from all sections of society and actively encourage diversity to drive innovation, creativity, success and good practice. We positively welcome and seek to ensure we achieve diversity in our workforce; and that all job applicants and employees receive equal and fair treatment regardless of their background or personal characteristics. These include: (but are not limited to) socio-economic background, age, race, gender identity and expression, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, nationality, veteran, marital or Indigenous status.

Should you require any adjustments or accommodations to be made due to a disability or you are a neurodivergent individual or for any other circumstance, please email our team at accessibility@thepalladiumgroup.com and we will be in touch to discuss.

We define Safeguarding as "the preventative action taken by Palladium to protect our people, clients and the communities we work with from harm". We are committed to ensuring that all children and adults who come into contact with Palladium are treated with respect and are free from abuse. All successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced selection process including safeguarding-focused interviews and a rigorous due diligence process.