Job Opportunity: Manager Hire Local Program

Work type: Full Time

Location: Kununurra, Western Australia (with outreach to Halls Creek, Warmun, and Wyndham)

Lead a First Nations-led employment initiative strengthening workforce participation and retention across the East Kimberley.

Are you passionate about empowering Aboriginal communities through meaningful employment and culturally grounded mentoring?

Job Pathways is seeking a dedicated Manager Hire Local Program to lead the delivery of a regionally significant initiative that builds local workforce capability and builds long-term community employment outcomes.

Learn more about us: https://jobpathways.org.au

About the Role

As the Manager Hire Local Program, you will be the single point of contact for employers across the Kimberley seeking to hire local talent. You’ll translate workforce demand into coordinated employment pipelines, lead and deploy Work Crews, and manage transitions into sustainable ongoing roles.

This position provides both strategic and hands-on leadership—driving program design, stakeholder engagement, mentoring delivery, and measurable outcomes aligned with Job Pathways’ mission, values, and community priorities. You’ll work closely with Aboriginal organisations, local employers, government agencies, and training providers to strengthen regional employment pathways and build sustainable partnerships.

Key Responsibilities:

Employer Engagement

• Act as the single point of contact for employers and manage service relationships.
• Translate employer demand into recruitment and sourcing plans through the Client Office.
• Proactively address barriers such as transport, housing, and childcare with internal teams and partners.

Work Crew & Placement Management

• Lead and deploy Work Crews to host employers, ensuring safety, performance, and cultural protocols.
• Manage structured transitions of Work Crew members into ongoing employment.
• Provide end-to-end placement support and regular retention check-ins.

Stakeholder & Partnership Engagement

• Build and maintain strong relationships with Aboriginal organisations, local employers, and training providers.
• Facilitate Local Network Collective sessions to promote collaboration and continuous improvement.
• Represent Job Pathways at local and regional forums to advocate for Indigenous employment initiatives.

Mentoring Program Development

• Design and deliver culturally informed mentoring frameworks that build leadership capacity and retention.
• Coordinate the Industry Circles Mentoring Hub and Employer Best Practice Workshops.
• Ensure mentoring is trauma-aware and community-informed.

Monitoring, Evaluation & Reporting

• Track performance metrics and report on program outcomes.
• Ensure data accuracy, compliance, and continuous improvement in delivery.

Qualifications & Experience

Essential:

• Proven experience engaging employers and converting workforce demand into placements.
• Demonstrated experience working with or alongside First Nations communities.
• Strong leadership and project management capability.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with a focus on partnership building.
• Knowledge of the vocational education, employment, or community development sectors.
• Understanding and application of cultural safety principles.

Preferred:

• Tertiary qualification in Business, Community Development, Project Management, or related field.
• Training in leadership, Indigenous engagement, or mentoring (PRINCE2 highly regarded).

What You’ll Need

• Current C Class Driver’s Licence (essential).
• Ability to travel regularly across the East Kimberley region, including overnight stays.
• National Police Clearance (required prior to commencement).

Why Join Job Pathways?

• Cultural Impact: Lead a program that strengthens Aboriginal workforce participation and economic independence.
• Community Connection: Work alongside Traditional Owners, local employers, and regional stakeholders.
• Innovation & Growth: Shape an evolving model of culturally informed mentoring and employment.
• Supportive Culture: Be part of a values-led organisation built on Courage, Commitment, Care, and Collaboration.

Additional Benefits

• Salary sacrificing options to maximise take-home pay.
• Annual Health & Wellbeing Allowance.
• Confidential Employee Assistance Program.
• Attractive leave entitlements supporting work-life balance in the Kimberley.

How to Apply

If you’re ready to lead a transformative initiative that strengthens local employment and builds community capacity, we’d love to hear from you.

Please submit a cover letter addressing the mandatory experience and your current resume to: [email protected]

For a copy of the full position description, contact the HR team at the above email.

Location: Kununurra, Western Australia (with outreach to Halls Creek, Warmun, and Wyndham)

Job Pathways is committed to diversity, equity, cultural responsiveness, and safe, inclusive work environments. We strongly encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates to apply.

Job Pathways reserves the right to fill the position prior to the ad closure date should a successful candidate be identified.

Application closing date: 5:00PM (Perth time) Sunday, 16 November 2025