East Coast Apprenticeships (ECA) is a leading not-for-profit Group Training Organisation (GTO) providing high-quality apprenticeship and traineeship opportunities to individuals across the Brisbane, Sunshine Coast and Wide Bay regions. For over 35 years ECA has supported Queensland communities by developing the next generation of skilled tradespeople.

Position Purpose

The Operations Manager will drive operational performance and embed a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement across ECA. The position will lead and align business development, recruitment, and industry engagement functions to ensure that apprentice and trainee placements meet organisational targets.

This role will connect and facilitate internally with ECA Regional Managers and their teams ensuring a consistent and high-performing approach to apprentice and trainee management. It will play a critical role in modelling the behaviours expected within the management team, ensuring operational accountability and alignment with ECA strategy.

Key Responsibilities

Lead the integration of recruitment, industry development, and partnership functions into a unified engagement framework.

Monitor and report on operational KPIs, including commencements, completions, cancellations, retention, and host satisfaction.

Model and drive the behaviours expected of ECA’s management team, with a focus on accountability, transparency, and results.

Provide coaching and development to Regional Managers and team leaders, ensuring operational alignment.

Foster a culture of collaboration across regions, breaking down silos and encouraging cross-team problem solving.

Promote ethical leadership, risk awareness, WHS responsibility, and ensure compliance with relevant legislation, awards, and ECA policies.

Support the General Mgr (Operations) and CEO to ensure ECA is represented as a trusted and credible partner to TAFE Queensland, industry associations, and relevant stakeholders.

Provide clear and consistent communication channels between ELT, regional teams, and external partners.

Key Deliverables

(i) Achieve placement growth targets in line with the FY26 operational plan.

(ii) Implement a standardised operational performance framework across all regions.

(iii) Improve ECA retention through coordinated host and apprentice engagement initiatives.

(iv) Strengthen industry-alignment by identifying and building priority sector pipelines.

(v) Demonstrate measurable improvement in management team behaviour

Selection Criteria

a) Holding a relevant tertiary qualification in Business Management (or a related discipline), or equivalent experience and knowledge of VET, GTO, or apprenticeship/traineeship sectors.

b) Proven experience in an operational leadership role with accountability for multi-site teams.

c) Strong record of delivering performance improvement and accountability in teams.

d) High-level leadership and interpersonal skills, with the ability to coach, mentor, and influence.

The successful applicant will possess strong operational discipline, with the ability to monitor and analyse KPIs to drive results. They will display excellent stakeholder engagement, networking, and the ability to manage complexity, competing priorities, and deliver under pressure.

Being values-driven, collaborative, and committed to ECA’s mission of advancing apprenticeships and traineeships is essential. You will model integrity, accountability, and respect in all interactions and drive results whilst maintaining a focus on organisational wellbeing and sustainability.

What ECA will offer

Fully maintained motor vehicle (including personal use)

Bonus scheme and other discretionary benefits, including:

- Ten paid days off (PDOs) between February-November each year (1 PDO per month commencing after three months employment)

- 2 PDOs during Dec/Jan shutdown

- 1 PDO for your work anniversary

If you are interested in joining the ECA team, then please submit your CV and cover letter via email ([email protected]). We will be interviewing suitable applicants in the coming weeks.