Strategic Partnerships Manager

About Workskills

Workskills is a proud Tasmanian not-for-profit that’s been creating meaningful pathways into employment for over 40 years. We’re a values-driven organisation, focused on people, community and opportunity, with our values guiding how we lead, make decisions and build relationships.

Our people are passionate about creating lasting impact for Tasmanians. We value genuine connection, collaboration and continuous improvement, and we’re always looking for better ways to respond to community need and create positive outcomes.

As we grow our presence and connections across Northern and North-West Tasmania, we’re looking for an experienced and highly connected Strategic Partnerships Manager to build influential relationships, identify opportunities for growth and collaboration, and help shape Workskills’ future impact across Tasmania.

The Opportunity

Reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer, this is a full-time, fixed-term position until 30 September 2028, offering a senior management, relationship-focused opportunity to help shape Workskills’ future direction.

You’ll build trusted relationships across government, community, industry, education and philanthropic sectors, turning regional insights and emerging opportunities into meaningful partnerships, initiatives and sustainable growth.

With a focus on Northern and North-West Tasmania, you’ll also help strengthen how participant voice, lived experience and co-design inform our services and future direction. This opportunity will suit an experienced professional with a background in strategic partnerships, stakeholder engagement, business development, community engagement or a related field.

Key Areas of Responsibility

No two weeks will look quite the same, but you’ll be responsible for:

• Building Workskills’ presence, profile and strategic relationships across Northern and North-West Tasmania.
• Developing trusted partnerships across government, community, education, industry and philanthropic sectors.
• Identifying regional needs, trends and opportunities for partnerships, funding, growth and service expansion.
• Exploring opportunities to expand our Troublesmiths programs, training and related initiatives.
• Developing business cases, recommendations and proposals for new programs and partnerships.
• Representing Workskills across regional networks and collaborative initiatives.
• Strengthening participant voice, lived experience and co-design across the organisation.
• Supporting managers and teams to build capability in stakeholder and community engagement.

About you 

To be successful in this role you will have:

Essential:

• Demonstrated success in building, securing and sustaining strategic partnerships with highly developed communication, influencing and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Strong existing networks and relationships within Northern and/or North-West Tasmania, with a proven ability to build trust, identify opportunities and strengthen Workskills' regional presence.
• Strong strategic thinking capability with the ability to identify opportunities and translate ideas into practical initiatives and outcomes.
• Experience leading communications, engagement, community development, or organisational development activities.
• Demonstrated understanding of participant-centred, strengths-based practice and co-design approaches.
• Understanding of the employment, education, youth, community services, social enterprise/business sectors and the challenges and opportunities facing Tasmanian communities.
• Strong leadership capability with demonstrated experience building trust, collaboration and capability across teams.
• Demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities and exercise sound judgement within complex environments.
• Experience identifying, assessing or developing business growth, diversification, partnership or innovation opportunities.
• Tertiary qualifications in Community Development, Social Sciences, Communications, Public Policy, or a related field are highly regarded.
• Commitment to compliance and quality, ensuring all outputs meet contractual and organisational accreditation standards.
• Current Tasmanian driver's licence and ability to obtain required background and suitability checks.

We offer you

• A professional, collaborative and supportive work environment with development opportunities
• Competitive remuneration reflective of your experience and capability
• Access to not-for-profit salary packaging benefits
• Five weeks annual leave each year, 12 flex days each year
• A fully maintained company vehicle, with full personal use.

Take the Next Step with Workskills

If you’re an experienced relationship builder who knows the region and wants to use your networks to create meaningful impact, we’d love to hear from you. To learn more about this strategic opportunity and the role it will play in Workskills’ future growth and direction, please contact Andrew Paynter on 0407 644 083 for a confidential discussion.

To apply, please submit

• your current résumé
• 1–2-page cover letter outlining your interest in the role and demonstrating how your experience, professional networks and capabilities align with the skills and qualification for success outlined within the Position Description.

For a copy of the Position Description, please click here.

If you’re viewing this advertisement on SEEK, visit the Workskills website, scroll to the bottom of the homepage and select “Join Our Team” to access the advertisement and Position Description through our Careers Portal.

Applications can be submitted through the Workskills Careers Portal or via the SEEK Quick Apply button.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Applications will be reviewed upon submission.

 Workskills  operates a social enterprise, Troublesmiths, delivering training programs to young Tasmanians state-wide. Workskills delivers employment services to communities across Southern Tasmania, operating from offices in Bridgewater, New Norfolk, Huonville, Kingston, Hobart, Glenorchy, Rosny and Sorell.

Workskills Tasmania is a proud Employer of Choice, dedicated to championing equity and diversity within its team. We extend equal opportunities to all candidates and actively welcome applications from individuals with diverse backgrounds. We encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to apply for all positions.

As a Child and Young People Safe Organisation all employees are required to undertake a Working with Children Check and a National Police Check.

All applications are treated in the strictest of confidence.