Engagement Manager

Company Description

Melbourne, VIC | Hybrid Working | Full-Time

Build meaningful industry partnerships and help students launch rewarding careers

Are you passionate about building relationships, creating opportunities, and making a positive impact in the community services and social work sector?

Acknowledge Education is seeking an experienced and motivated Engagement Manager to join our Melbourne team. In this rewarding role, you'll work closely with community organisations, industry partners, students, and academic teams to create valuable placement opportunities that support the next generation of community services professionals.

If you're a natural relationship builder who enjoys connecting people, developing partnerships, and helping others succeed, this could be the perfect opportunity for you.

Job Description

About the role

As the Engagement Manager, you'll play a key role in supporting students enrolled in our Community Services and Master of Social Work programs by developing and maintaining strong partnerships with industry organisations.

You'll be the connection between Acknowledge Education, our students, and placement providers—helping to ensure students have access to valuable real-world learning experiences while strengthening our reputation within the sector.

What you'll be doing

• Build, develop and maintain strong relationships with community services, social work and related organisations across Victoria.
• Identify and secure quality student placement opportunities throughout Melbourne and regional Victoria.
• Collaborate with academic teams to align placement opportunities with program requirements.
• Support students throughout their placement journey, ensuring a positive and successful experience.
• Act as a trusted point of contact for industry partners and key stakeholders.
• Monitor placement outcomes and gather feedback to continuously improve student readiness and engagement.
• Maintain accurate stakeholder and placement records.
• Contribute to strategic workforce and placement planning to meet future student demand.
• Manage and resolve placement-related challenges with professionalism and care.

Qualifications

What you'll bring

We're looking for someone who thrives on building relationships and creating opportunities.

You'll ideally have:

• Experience in stakeholder engagement, partnership development, business development, or relationship management.
• Exposure to the Community Services, Social Work, Health, Education, Not-for-Profit or Human Services sectors.
• Strong communication and influencing skills with the ability to engage a diverse range of stakeholders.
• A proactive and solutions-focused approach.
• Exceptional organisational and relationship management skills.
• The ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with internal teams.
• Experience working with placements, workforce development, education partnerships or industry engagement will be highly regarded.

A qualification in Community Services, Social Work, Management, Education or a related field is desirable but not essential.

Additional Information

What we offer

• Flexible hybrid working arrangements.
• Competitive salary package.
• Opportunity to make a meaningful impact on student success and employability.
• Supportive and collaborative team environment.
• Career growth opportunities within a national education provider.
• Inclusive workplace that values diversity, equity and belonging.
• The chance to join an organisation experiencing significant growth and transformation.

Why join Acknowledge Education?

Acknowledge Education is entering an exciting new chapter. With a refreshed leadership team, a renewed focus on innovation and growth, and a proud 139-year history, we're building the future of higher education and vocational training in Australia.

We support more than 8,000 students annually across a diverse range of disciplines, including:

• Community Services
• Social Work
• Health
• Engineering Design & Construction
• Hospitality
• VCE

With campuses across Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth, we're committed to helping students achieve their goals and build meaningful careers.

Ready to make an impact?

This is an exciting opportunity to join a purpose-driven organisation where your ability to build relationships and create opportunities will directly influence student success and strengthen industry connections.

If you're ready to help shape the next generation of Community Services and Social Work professionals, we'd love to hear from you.

Questions about your identity help us appreciate the diversity of individuals looking to work with us, ensuring we’re attracting applications from people with identities and perspectives that are as diverse as our students. 

We are an equal opportunity employer. As part of our commitment to equity, we work to ensure a fair and consistent interview process. We celebrate diversity and we are committed to an inclusive work environment.