Operations and Partnerships Manager

Commencing in August 2025, this role offers a rare opportunity to lay the operational and strategic foundation for Brimbank Tech School ahead of its mid-2026 opening, with a strong focus on building powerful partnerships that redefine what education can be.

As the Operations and Partnerships Manager, you’ll play a leading role in establishing systems, processes, and compliance structures that support smooth daily operations and high-quality learning environments. You’ll oversee key elements such as facility readiness, digital infrastructure, reporting, internal communications, and event coordination, ensuring that our school is future-ready.

In this community facing role, you will be responsible for identifying, nurturing, and activating partnerships with industry, tertiary providers, schools, and the wider community. Working alongside the Director and Programs Coordinator, you’ll co-design programs and experiences that integrate cutting-edge technology, reflect real-world challenges, and foster student agency, whilst providing strong career pathways.

The Operations and Partnerships Manager will drive:

• Professional learning opportunities that build staff capability across sectors
• Career immersion programs that bring students face-to-face with the future of work
• STEM outreach initiatives that expand access and aspiration in underrepresented communities
• Real-world project briefs that make learning relevant, applied, and industry-aligned

This is a dynamic, future-focused role requiring both strategic vision and operational precision, ideal for someone who thrives at the intersection of education, innovation, and community-building.

This is a full-time, 2-year fixed term position at a HEP 8 $110,100 - $123,987 per annum classification pus 17% superannuation. This role is commencing August 2025, based initially at the Werribee Campus, relocating to the Sunshine Campus mid-2026 with potential for extension .

An example of your responsibilities or duties you may perform will include:

• Operations Management: Lead the day-to-day operations of the Tech School, including procurement, compliance, learning space setup, and WHS/OHS requirements.
• Digital Systems Oversight: Oversee the maintenance and ongoing development of the school’s digital infrastructure, including the online portal, CRM, website, and LMS in collaboration with the IT team.
• Strategic Communications: Manage the communications strategy in partnership with the Digital Design & Communications Coordinator, including media, stakeholder engagement, and maintenance of databases.
• Reporting and Compliance: Coordinate internal and external reporting requirements, including business plans, stakeholder data, and asset registers, ensuring transparency and accountability.
• Event and Professional Learning Delivery: Lead planning and facilitation of onsite and offsite events, as well as the design and delivery of high-quality professional development programs for teachers, partners, and internal staff.
• Partnership Development: Support the Director in maintaining and expanding strategic relationships with schools, industry, tertiary providers, and community stakeholders to enhance program reach and relevance.
• Policy Development: Assist in creating and reviewing operational policies and procedures that ensure the school runs smoothly and aligns with legislative and institutional standards.

About You:

You are an organised, strategic, and people-focused professional with a proven ability to build and manage complex systems in educational or innovation environments. You bring a deep understanding of how operational excellence, stakeholder engagement, and effective communication work together to support transformative learning experiences.

You have experience working independently while managing multiple priorities, and you thrive in dynamic, start-up-like settings where you can shape processes from the ground up. You have a track record of designing or leading professional development, facilitating events, and driving improvement across teams or systems.

Your interpersonal skills are outstanding, you communicate clearly, negotiate confidently, and know how to manage diverse stakeholders, from school leaders and government departments to community and industry partners.

You also bring:

• A clear understanding of compliance frameworks (e.g. OHS, Child Safe Standards).
• Competency in digital systems and a readiness to innovate with technology.
• A commitment to inclusion, equity, and purpose-driven education.

How to Apply:

To view the position description, please click here: Position Description - Operations and Partnerships Manager

Applications must be submitted as a single document comprising:

• A cover letter
• Your curriculum vitae/resume
• Your responses addressing all selection criteria located in the position description
Evidence of applicable qualifications, licences and registration

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Application Closing Date: Tuesday the 5th of August 2025 (11:59pm AEST)

Who to Contact?

For further information relating to the position, please contact Stephen Manitta, Director Brimbank Tech School by email at Stephen.Manitta@vu.edu.au.

Why Join Us:

VU provides competitive salaries, excellent superannuation, and a variety of benefits. The university fosters an environment where staff can excel, achieve their goals, and develop their careers. With a focus on diversity, inclusion, and family-friendly policies, VU supports both professional and personal well-being. For more information, please visit our Jobs at VU Webpage

Our Commitment to Protecting Country:

Victoria University honours its deep diversity as a foundation for collaboration and social progress. We will demonstrate sensitivity in respecting First Nation perspectives. We will ensure that we respect our Indigenous voices and commit to sustainable Protecting Country. We will take leadership responsibility, in all that we do, to improve the health and wellbeing of our local and global communities, and the planet that we share.

Our Commitment to Progressive Inclusivity:

Victoria University welcomes and celebrates the diverse perspectives, identities, and backgrounds of all people. We are committed to progressive inclusivity as a core strategic priority. All members of the VU community have a responsibility to be inclusive, respectful and supportive of all.

We are committed to maintaining a workforce which reflects the community we serve, this means we strive to attract, retain, develop and empower talented individuals from all backgrounds. We encourage applicants who are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with disability, culturally and racially marginalised people, those from the LGBTQIA+ community, people from all ages and socio-economic backgrounds. We believe that a diversity of experiences and perspectives strengthens our community and fosters a more innovative, inclusive, and supportive working environment, where everyone feels they belong.

VU is committed to providing a positive and barrier-free recruitment experience. If you have access requirements or would benefit from adjustments, including with position descriptions, application forms, or require any other document in an accessible format at any stage of the recruitment process please contact us at inclusivecareers@vu.edu.au or call (03) 9919 5999.