Operations and People Lead PLMSP

Operations and People Lead - PLMSP

• Full-time through to September 2028 with the possibility of extension subject to project requirements and funding.
• Location: Brisbane
• This opportunity is open to suitably qualified applicants with valid work rights in Australia

This is a rare opportunity to influence thesuccess of a large multi-country DFAT-funded program. Lead operations peoplerisk and governance functions while helping deliver lasting economic and socialimpact across the region!

PacificLabour Mobility Support Program (PLMSP)
The PacificAustralia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme is a signature initiative for theAustralian Government that enables workers from 9 Pacific Island Countries(PICs) and Timor-Leste to work in priority sectors in Australia. The PacificLabour Mobility Support Programs (PLMSP) role is to provide the Department ofForeign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and governments in 9 PICs and Timor-Leste withsupport to enable workers to access the PALM scheme in inclusive ways thatmaximise the benefits for workers and national economies while minimising risksfrom labour mobility participation. Palladium is contracted to deliver PLMSP onbehalf of DFAT.

About the Role
As a key member of the PLMSP Senior Leadership Teamthe Operations and People Lead provides strategic leadership of theprograms Operations and People portfolio ensuring effective governancecompliance risk management and continuous improvement across all programfunctions. The role oversees finance procurement contracting humanresources safeguards safety and security ensuring these services enablesuccessful program delivery across multiple countries.

Working closely with the Deputy Team Leader ProgramEnablement the Operations and People Lead translates strategic priorities intoeffective systems processes and operational plans while providinghigh-quality advice and assurance to support program decision-making. The rolealso provides strategic direction and performance oversight to senior managersresponsible for operations human resources and safety and security.

Primary Responsibilities

• Act as the senior functional adviser to the Deputy Team Leader Team Leader Senior Leadership Team and DFAT on matters within the Operations and People portfolio. Lead routine and technical engagement relating to the portfolio and support the Deputy Team Leader and Team Leader on strategic sensitive or cross-program matters.
• Provide strategic and operational leadership in a complex multi-region program ensuring agile adaptive management is prioritised.
• Accountable for operations functions including program finance management annual activity budget high-volume and high-value procurement contracting and grants management and office operations across six locations.
• Accountable for program expenditure management and reporting ensuring that program finances are managed in compliance with policies and procedures. Hold accountability for the accuracy integrity and timely delivery of program budgeting and forecasting to support informed decision-making.
• Provide strategic leadership and assurance for program risk management maintaining an integrated view of strategic operational financial people and delivery risks and ensuring risks are identified owned mitigated and escalated in a timely manner. Ensure effective safeguards governance across fraud anti-corruption and child protection risk management reporting and capability development.
• Provide clear concise timely and audience-appropriate reporting and communication to the Deputy Team Leader Team Leader Senior Leadership Team and DFAT ensuring material issues risks trends options and recommended actions are clearly identified and escalated.
• Develop improve and maintain operational systems and processes (procurement risk HR finance) that drive efficiencies and ensure compliance with DFAT and Palladium policies and the Operations Manual.
• Lead operational excellence that supports continuous improvement to systems and processes using evidence collaboration and cross stream input that enables PLMSP workstreams to strengthen delivery of annual plan activities.
• Set the leadership direction and performance culture for the Operations Safety and Security and People and Culture functions enabling managers to lead with clear delegated authority and accountability while fostering an inclusive collaborative and high-performing workforce across geographically dispersed teams.
• Demonstrate reflective and adaptive leadership actively seeking and applying feedback demonstrating effective judgement and cultural intelligence. Maintain the professional capability required to lead effectively through ambiguity complexity and organisational change.
  

Pleaserefer to the Terms of Reference to learn more about the role:ToR Operations and People

About You

• Tertiary qualifications in a relevant discipline such as business administration organisational leadership change management public policy international development program management or a related field.
• Minimum 10 years experience in senior leadership roles within complex programs organisations or business functions.
• Demonstrated experience leading organisational change business improvement governance reform strategic risk management or organisational transformation initiatives.
• Experience operating in complex politically sensitive or rapidly evolving environments with the ability to adapt to changing priorities and stakeholder expectations while maintaining delivery outcomes.
• Demonstrated ability to lead through ambiguity exercise sound judgement and make effective decisions in uncertain environments.
• Strong experience engaging and influencing senior stakeholders including government client or executive-level audiences.
• Experience working with DFAT or comparable government stakeholders is highly desirable.
• Proven people leadership capability including mentoring senior staff leading through change and fostering collaborative high-performing and values-driven cultures.
• Strong interpersonal communication and cross-cultural engagement skills with the ability to build trusted relationships across diverse teams and stakeholder groups.
• Flexibility to undertake domestic and international travel as required.
  

How we work here
AtPLMSP our PROUD ways of working guide how we work with each other ourpartners and the communities we support. We value Positivity RespectOpenness Unwavering Integrity and Diversity and Inclusion. We look for peoplewho work collaboratively communicate respectfully across cultures followthrough on commitments act with integrity and contribute to an environmentwhere everyone feels safe valued and able to contribute.

How to apply and what happens next
Pleaseapply online through the Palladium careers website with:

• your CV; and
• a Cover Letter outlining responses to the application questions below with each response no more than 300 words. Applications that do not meet this requirement will not be considered.
  

Applicationquestions: (Please limit each response to a maximum of 300 words)

• What interests you about the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme and DFATs investment through the Pacific Labour Mobility Support Program (PLMSP) How do you see the program contributing to labour mobility regional partnerships and broader economic and development outcomes across Australia the Pacific and Timor-Leste
• Describe a significant operational improvement transformation or governance initiative you have led in a complex organisation or program. What challenges did you address what actions did you take and what outcomes were achieved
• Describe your experience leading senior or multidisciplinary teams in a complex environment. How have you driven performance managed change and ensured alignment with organisational priorities and objectives

Please refer to the Applicant Information to learn more about what we are looking for in our Operations and People Lead:

Shortlistedcandidates may be asked to complete a short work sample scenario technicalexercise or structured interview. We will explain the process and availableadjustments before each stage.

We are committed to building a diversegeographically dispersed workforce to maximise our support. We welcomeapplications from candidates of all backgrounds including First Nationspeoples people of diverse sexual orientations gender identities andexpressions and people with disabilities - disclosure will not affect yourapplication and we will work with you to provide appropriate adjustments.

To be considered for this position you musthave valid work rights in Australia. Please note that visa sponsorship is notavailable for this role.

While this role does not involve direct workwith children the successful candidate will still be required to complete apolice check and relevant due diligence checks as part of Palladiumscommitment to being a child-safe organisation

How to Apply
Click the Apply Now button

Closing date: Monday5th October 2026 11:59 pm AEST

If this opportunity interests you we encourage you to apply promptly. Pleasenote that only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

About Palladium
Palladium is aglobal development and consulting firm part of the GISI Consulting Groupworking alongside some of the worlds leading project management andengineering organisations. We partner with governments businesses investorsand communities to design and deliver complex programs that create lastingimpact. With a presence across more than 90 countries Palladium offers theopportunity to work on meaningful challenges alongside talented colleagues inenvironments where your work can truly make a difference.

Equity Diversity &Inclusion - Palladium is committed to embedding equity diversity and inclusioninto everything we do. We welcome applications from all sections of society andactively encourage diversity to drive innovation creativity success and good practice. We positively welcome andseek to ensure we achieve diversity in our workforce; and that all jobapplicants and employees receive equal and fair treatment regardless of theirbackground or personal characteristics. These include: (but are not limited to)socio-economic background age race gender identity and expression religionethnicity sexual orientation disability nationality veteran marital orIndigenous status.

Should you require any adjustments or accommodations to be made due to a disability or youare a neurodivergent individual or for any other circumstance please email ourteam at and we will be in touchto discuss.

Safeguarding- We define Safeguardingas all the actions taken by Palladium to protect our people communities wherewe work and our clients from harm including SexualExploitation Abuse or Sexual Harassment; Child Abuse in any form; Traffickingfor sexual exploitation of adults or children and any form of Trafficking ofchildren. We have zero tolerance for all forms of child abuse as well as sexualexploitation abuse and harassment and zero-tolerance for inaction to preventprotect against respond to and report harm. We are committed to ensuringthat all children and adults who come into contact withPalladium are treated with respect and are free from abuse. All successfulcandidates will be subject to an enhanced selection process includingsafeguarding-focused interviews and a rigorous due diligence process. Our Codeof Conduct and Child Safeguarding and Protection against Sexual ExploitationAbuse and Harassment Guidelines have additional details.