Business Development Officer

Posted: 08/01/2025

Closing Date: 22/01/2025

**Job Type**: Permanent - Full Time

Location: Colac, 178 Murray Street

Job Category: Community Services and Development

**Who is are-able?**

We have been deeply embedded in local communities for over three decades, transforming lives and fostering connections as WDEA Works. We are embarking on an extraordinary journey, introducing a new identity, **_are-able, _**a new name with the same great support.

are-able, built on the solid foundation established by WDEA Works, continues to provide diverse services for the unique needs of individuals, businesses, and communities. We are unwavering in our commitment to 'do more for more people in more communities'. are-able is dedicated to breaking barriers, challenging stereotypes, and creating an environment where all individual's abilities are not just acknowledged but deeply valued and nurtured. We believe in the power of diversity and inclusion, and we are looking for employees who share these values and can contribute to our inclusive work environment.

**Why choose to work with are-able?**

are-able has been recognised as a Winner of The Australian Business Award for Employer of Choice. We promote a positive team culture underpinned by the values of respect, empathy, integrity, and innovation. We look for employees with a genuine passion for those in need who can participate in our high-performing culture.

In return for your valued contribution, we offer:

- Ongoing training and professional development
- Family-friendly organisational culture with true work-life balance
- Attractive salary packaging
- Me Days - 4 additional leave days per year
- Gifted leave over the Christmas holidays
- Employee Assistance Program
- Company-issued laptops and mobile phones
- Use of fleet cars - no need to use your own car or to pay tax on a company car

We are excited to be recruiting for a Business Development Officer—Industry Specialist in our Colac site. This role assists clients across various programs, including Workforce Australia, Transition to Work, SLES and Disability Employment Services (DES).

All new starters receive comprehensive induction and training. To help you understand the role better, here is what an average week might involve:

- Actively market our clients to local employers within the Colac region
- Work with our Employment Consultants daily to build capacity in our clients to prepare them for employment
- Provide post-placement support to enable participants to sustain employment effectively
- Work cohesively with the Site Manager and Team Leader to drive performance within all teams across the site
- Develop relationships with local businesses and organisations by approaching local employers on behalf of jobseekers; confidence in proactively promoting our organisation and our jobseekers is key
- Feel the thrill of helping someone find an employment opportunity that will change their life.

This position will be resourced with a laptop and mobile phone, with access to fleet vehicles to undertake the role successfully.

**Desired Skills and Experience**:
**To be successful in the role, you will possess**:

- Proven skills and experience in delivering employment-related services to jobseekers and employers as listed in the above duties and responsibilities,
- OR Capacity to develop these skills as demonstrated by extensive relevant experience as an employee or employer in a variety of industries and, awareness of the needs of employers and jobseekers in the local labour market
- Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills including skills of negotiation and liaison, and the ability to work in partnership with clients to assess their needs and to develop strategies to meet these needs
- High level of professionalism in organising work and time-management. Ability to prioritise tasks and exercise initiative and creativity in achieving desired outcomes for clients and are-able
- Skills and experience in marketing and sales in a service industry setting, including the capacity to cold-canvass prospective clients and customers
- Demonstrated ability to work as a member of a professional team

**The Feel-Good Parts**

If you’ve read this far then you already know that are-able is a community-focused not-for-profit organisation, but what does that mean?

At are-able, the profits the organisation generates go back into the communities we serve. We give back through the are-able Foundation, donations and sponsorships, we genuinely believe in supporting our community. Since the beginning of the are-able Foundation in 2004, we have given back over $1 million dollars to various groups.

are-able is also a values-driven organisation, led by the following values:
**Integrity** - Our clients trust us. We owe them honesty and transparency. Every person who comes to are-able deserves to be treated in a fair and objective way. We’re accountable for our actions and we follow through.

**Respect** - Ea