• Volunteering and Student Placements Lead
• Full-time | Fixed Term Contract to May 2026
• Based in Parramatta CBD | Hybrid work model

At Uniting, we believe in the power of people to create real change. Every day, our dedicated staff, volunteers, and students work together to make a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals and communities across NSW and the ACT. If you’re ready to lead a strategy that empowers others to contribute their time, talents and passion, we’d love to hear from you.

Lead the way in shaping our future workforce

We’re seeking a seasoned and strategic Volunteering and Student Placements Lead to drive the development and delivery of Uniting’s volunteering and student placements strategies. This is a high-impact leadership role, where you'll partner closely with senior leaders across the organisation and the community to deliver programs that meet our mission and future workforce needs.

You’ll bring strong business acumen, strategic and operational insight, and a rigorous approach to program development — balancing innovation with practicality, and vision with execution.

What you’ll be doing:

As Volunteering and Student Placements Lead, you will:

• Lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of Uniting’s volunteering and student placement strategies – aligned to business, workforce and missional goals.
• Engage senior leaders and executive stakeholders to embed volunteering into workforce planning and service delivery, influencing organisational thinking and resource allocation.
• Apply commercial and operational understanding to design scalable, efficient volunteer and student programs that deliver measurable value and impact.
• Use strong business strategy principles to analyse current state, define clear problem statements, and design outcome-focused programs that are evidence-based and future ready.
• Drive operational integration of volunteering strategies, working with internal teams to embed initiatives into BAU and ensure consistent, high-quality delivery.
• Build and lead a high-performing team to drive engagement, attraction and retention of volunteers and student placements across Uniting’s diverse services.
• Create innovative, scalable attraction strategies using digital channels, social and traditional media, and targeted community partnerships.
• Develop and deliver capability-building programs for people leaders to ensure a quality, consistent and welcoming experience for all volunteers and students.
• Design and implement a volunteer and student workforce framework in collaboration with the Strategic Workforce Planning team – covering demand-supply modelling, rostering and integration with workforce systems.
• Ensure compliance with relevant legislation, national standards and sector best practice in all programs.
• Represent Uniting as a sector leader in volunteer engagement, building external partnerships to drive recruitment for high-volume, high-value roles.
• Provide expert input into strategic organisational initiatives – including projects such as HRIS transformation, service acquisitions, and program innovation (e.g. Your Voice, With Hearts).

About you:

You're a senior leader with a passion for people, strong commercial sensibility, and a track record of delivering strategies that drive outcomes. You’ll bring:

• A Bachelor qualification in a relevant field or equivalent senior-level experience.
• 8+ years’ experience including at least 2 years leading a team of specialists.
• Proven experience working with senior leadership teams to develop, implement and scale enterprise-wide strategies.
• Strong business acumen with the ability to align volunteering and student strategies to broader organisational priorities and service outcomes.
• Experience conducting current state analysis, defining problem statements, and designing evidence-based, outcomes-focused programs.
• Demonstrated operational understanding with the ability to lead change across complex service environments.
• Deep understanding of the volunteering and student placement landscape, including compliance, best practice, shared value partnerships, and the dynamic external environment impacting these sectors.
• Strong stakeholder management, communication and influencing skills, with experience leading cross-functional initiatives.
• A creative but pragmatic mindset – able to think big and execute well, using data and insights to inform and adjust approaches.

Even better if you have:

• Experience in strategic workforce planning and integration of volunteering into workforce modelling and planning frameworks.

• For a copy of the position description please contact Louise Massie via email at [email protected], using the subject line: Volunteering and Student Placements Lead (Paid Position) enquiry via EthicalJobs.

How to apply: 

We’d love to hear what drew you to Uniting and this opportunity.

Please include a cover letter with your CV — applications that include a cover letter outlining your motivation and fit for the role will be treated favourably.

What We Offer You

• A rewarding career with a leading human services organisation.
• Up to $18,550 NFP salary packaging available.
• Access to our U rewards program with exclusive discounts.
• Flexible work hours for work-life balance.
• Affordable access to Fitness Passport— discounted gym memberships to support your best life.
• A supportive and inclusive and collaborative work environment.
• Opportunities for professional growth.

Uniting contributes to the work and mission of the Uniting Church in NSW and the ACT through social justice advocacy, community services and spiritual care. Our purpose is to inspire people, enliven communities and confront injustice.

We provide support for people through all ages and stages of life, with a focus on those experiencing disadvantage and vulnerability.

We acknowledge the Sovereignty of First Nations people over the lands of Australia and are committed to meaningful change so that First Nations people are strong, thriving and self-determining.

Uniting is a Child Safe Organisation, committed to the safety, wellbeing and inclusion of children and young people. We are proud of the diversity of our people and always welcome everyone, exactly as they are.