About Palladium
Palladium is a global leader in the design, development, and delivery of Positive Impact – the intentional creation of enduring social and economic value. We work with governments, businesses, and investors to solve the world's most pressing challenges. With a team of more than 2,000 employees operating in 25-plus countries and a global network of over 35,000 experts, we help improve economies, societies, and, most importantly, people's lives.
About The Program
The New Colombo Plan (NCP) is an initiative of the Australian Government which aims to lift knowledge of the Indo-Pacific in Australia by supporting Australian undergraduates to study and undertake internships in the region. Students undertake scholarship programs, participate in Semester exchange or Mobility projects, and on completion become alumni.
Palladium is contracted by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) to manage the NCP Managed Administrative and Support Services (MASS) program which underpins the effective operation of the scholarship, semester, mobility and alumni programs, and provides the cross-cutting functions of finance, communications, business engagement, risk management, and monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL).
This Opportunity
The Operations Manager reports to the Deputy Director and works closely with the Finance Manager, and other program leads (Scholarships, Semester & Mobility, Alumni & Communications), their teams and other corporate support services. The position will collaborate with their counterpart in the New Colombo Plan Secretariat (NCS) in DFAT, as well as with stakeholders from the Australian and international university sector, and others as required.
Location
This is a full-time, fixed-term position with a contract running until 30 June 2026, and with the possibility of extension. The role will be based on either Palladium's Adelaide or Brisbane office, with a preference for Adelaide. Flexible working arrangements may also be considered.
Reporting Lines
This role reports into the Deputy Director. Reporting requirements may include but are not limited to:
* Attendance at team meetings, other requested meetings and regional meetings (e.g. townhalls).
* Regular (minimum of monthly) one to one meetings with your line manager on the status of personal Key Result Areas (KRAs), career development discussions and any other matters.
* Palladium encourages flexible work practices to enhance wellbeing, productivity and team culture.For this role, we require that employees maintain an in-office presence for at least 50% of their working week. For example, if an employee works five days a week, they must spend at least three days physically in the office.
Primary Duties And Responsibilities
The primary responsibilities of the Operations Manager are to support operational processes for the broad NCP MASS team, working closely with the Deputy Director. These responsibilities can broadly be described as:
* Implementing and improving operational policies and procedures including project travel, risk and fraud management, safety and security, forecast and expenditure and teamwork plans.
* Developing, implementing, monitoring and delivering training on operational processes and procedures which are in accordance with relevant Palladium and DFAT requirements and principles.
* Providing on-the job coaching and mentoring support to operational team members, including orienting new staff on corporate management and administrative processes.
* Supporting the timely and quality completion of operational program reports, working closely with the Deputy Director and Finance Manager for continuous updating and rolling out of NCP MASS Project Management Manual.
* Supporting program leads with their budgets, providing expenditure reports and forecasting guidance.
* Leading and managing procurement activities across the program in line with Australian Commonwealth Procurement Rules and Palladium procedures.
* Implementing consistent, streamlined and efficient Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) across the full Program.
* Developing and rolling out suitable induction and training for the full Program.
* Understanding how innovation and technology shape the way we work and introduce new ways of working through AI, data and technology.
Relationships, Communication & Development
* Developing and maintaining client and stakeholder relationships across your assignments and maintain professional, respectful and effective relationships with your colleagues.
* Training, mentoring and coaching more junior colleagues, supporting them to work through ambiguity and ensuring messages from leadership are supported and clearly cascaded.
* Self-evaluating quality of work, thriving on continuous improvement, encouraging and valuing feedback from others and developing skills in providing balanced feedback to others.
* Encouraging a respectful work environment through applying effective conflict resolution techniques and unbiased motivational support in order to settle differences in a positive and constructive manner.
* Complying with, and advocating for, DFAT's policies in all aspects of implementation, including gender, disability, fraud and anti-corruption, PSEAH, child protection and environmental and social safeguards. This includes incorporating policy principles into planning and everyday work, promoting process improvements, and reporting concerns to your Line Manager or Palladium's Integrity Hotline (details on Palladium website).
* Operating with high levels of integrity, consistent with the intent of DFAT's Ethics, Integrity and Professional Standards Policy Manual.
Skills And Experience
* Tertiary qualifications in a relevant discipline or an equivalent combination of relevant experience and/or education.
* A minimum of 5 years relevant work experience, including experience with DFAT or other development agency work including: program financial management, contract and procurement management, managing stakeholder relationships, risk, fraud and compliance management, and developing and interpreting project plans.
* Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
* Financial acumen and the ability to interpret and analyse financial reports.
* Sound problem solving and decision-making skills.
* Strong management skills with ability to mentor, coach, lead, develop and evaluate staff.
* Ability to work independently and as a part of a team.
* Strong interpersonal skills with an ability to operate diplomatically and with cross-cultural sensitivity with government, private sector, and community stakeholders.
How To Apply
If interested, please submit your CV through the Palladium International Careers Page: Palladium - Career .
Applications will be assessed on a rolling basis. The closing date is 13 February 2026. For more information about the role, please send your inquiry to: NCP Recruitment at
Please Note
* We are only accepting applications from job seekers with full working rights within Australia as this role is unable to be sponsored.
* We are not accepting resumes from recruitment agencies for this role.
Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
Palladium is committed to embedding equity, diversity, and inclusion into everything we do. We welcome applications from all sections of society and actively encourage diversity to drive innovation, creativity, success, and good practice. We positively welcome and seek to ensure we achieve diversity in our workforce; and that all job applicants and employees receive equal and fair treatment regardless of their background or personal characteristics. These include: (but are not limited to) socio-economic background, age, race, gender identity and expression, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, nationality, veteran, marital or Indigenous status.
Should you require any adjustments or accommodation to be made due to a disability or you are a neurodivergent individual or for any other circumstance, please email our team at and we will be in touch to discuss.
Palladium recognizes Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the country throughout Australia, and we pay our respects to Elders past, present, and future.
Safeguarding
We define Safeguarding as "the preventative action taken by Palladium to protect our people, clients and the communities we work with from harm". We are committed to ensuring that all children and adults who come into contact with Palladium are treated with respect and are free from abuse. All successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced selection process including safeguarding-focused interviews and a rigorous due diligence process.