About The Role
As the Principal Industry Engagement Advisor – Automotive, you'll lead and strengthen AUSMASA's strategic engagement across Australia's automotive sector. Reporting to the Manager, Industry Engagement, you'll drive high-level stakeholder engagement with manufacturers, service organisations, industry bodies, unions, training providers and government. Your focus will be on ensuring workforce and training priorities reflect real-time industry needs and translate into meaningful, nationally aligned outcomes. Operating within a national Jobs and Skills Council environment, you'll work across a complex, tripartite ecosystem to shape workforce reform, support qualification alignment, and influence system-level change. This is a senior advisory role combining strategic insight, stakeholder leadership, industry intelligence and project oversight. Your work will directly contribute to strengthening the relevance, responsiveness and credibility of Australia's VET system for the automotive industry.
This is a fixed term contract opportunity until June 2028.
What You'll Be Doing
* Lead strategic engagement with automotive industry stakeholders to identify emerging workforce needs, risks and reform opportunities
* Develop and implement industry engagement plans aligned to AUSMASA's strategic priorities
* Advise the Manager, Industry Engagement and senior leaders on sector trends, stakeholder intelligence and emerging issues
* Facilitate industry consultations, roundtables and advisory group activities to inform national workforce priorities
* Build and maintain trusted relationships across industry, unions, RTOs, government and regulatory bodies
* Translate stakeholder insights into clear recommendations that inform training product development and broader reform initiatives
* Support the formalisation and governance of industry partnerships and advisory structures
* Prepare high-quality reports, briefings and presentations for Strategic Workforce Advisory Panels (SWAPs), senior leadership and government
* Represent AUSMASA at national forums, stakeholder events and cross-JSC collaboration activities (some interstate and intrastate travel may be required)
* Provide leadership and guidance to direct reports and contribute to capability development across the Industry Engagement team
Who You Are
You're a senior automotive industry professional who understands how workforce systems, training and industry reform intersect. You're confident engaging at executive level, comfortable navigating complexity, and able to turn stakeholder conversations into strategic direction. You balance relationship-building with strong analytical thinking and bring a practical understanding of how industry change translates into training and workforce outcomes.
You'll Bring
* At least seven years' experience within the automotive sector, operating at a senior advisory or industry engagement level
* Strong knowledge of Australia's VET system and the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF)
* Demonstrated experience leading complex stakeholder engagement initiatives
* Experience supervising or mentoring team members, or leading project-based teams
* Strong analytical capability with the ability to interpret complex information and provide sound advice
* Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including report writing and presentation to senior audiences
* Proficiency in Microsoft Office and virtual collaboration tools
Even Better If You Also Have
* Industry-based qualifications within the automotive sector and/or a relevant tertiary qualification
* Demonstrated training experience or experience within the VET sector
* Knowledge of the legislative and regulatory environment impacting the automotive industry
* Experience working in a nationally dispersed or reform-focused organisation
Why Join AUSMASA?
At the Mining and Automotive Skills Alliance, we're driving national reform to strengthen workforce capability in sectors critical to Australia's economy. You'll join a collaborative, purpose-led organisation where your industry expertise and leadership will directly shape national workforce priorities and influence system-level reform.
We Offer
* A values-driven and inclusive workplace
* Hybrid and flexible working arrangements
* The opportunity to shape national workforce reform in partnership with industry and government
* A supportive environment to grow your leadership and strategic impact
Ready to Influence National Workforce Reform?
Apply now with your resume and cover letter and play a leading role in shaping the future of workforce capability across Australia's automotive sector.
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