Strategic Workforce Planning Specialist

Strategic Workforce Planning Specialist
Permanent | Full-time | Parramatta CBD (Hybrid: 3 days in office, 2 from home)

At Uniting, we're proud to deliver services that support and empower people across Disability, Mental Health, Child and Family Services, and other community programs. As we grow and adapt to sector change, we're investing in building sustainable, future-ready workforces that can meet the evolving needs of the people we serve.

We're now seeking a
Strategic Workforce Planning Specialist
to support our Communities Directorate.

The Opportunity
Working closely with the Strategic Workforce Planning Lead, you will partner with senior leaders across Communities to design tailored workforce plans that reflect the unique operational and client needs of each stream.

This role requires a
high degree of analytical ability
– you'll be interpreting and modelling workforce data to forecast needs, identify trends, and guide evidence-based decisions. It is
not a recruitment, rostering, or scheduling position
, but a genuinely strategic role focused on data-driven workforce design and planning.

This position is both analytical and relational – combining data insights with facilitation and capability-building to help leaders plan their workforce effectively and sustainably.

Through systems thinking, strong relationships, and your ability to translate data into clear insights, you'll play a vital role in preparing our Communities Directorate for workforce challenges, adapting to policy and funding reforms, and strengthening our ability to deliver services where they're needed most.

Key Responsibilities

• Partner with Communities leaders to develop workforce plans aligned with each service stream's goals.
• Apply workforce planning frameworks to support short-, medium-, and long-term forecasting.
• Act as a trusted adviser to senior leaders, HR, Talent Acquisition, and Learning teams.
• Translate service model changes (recommissioning, program growth, funding reform) into workforce implications.
• Use workforce data and labour market insights to inform planning scenarios and decision-making.
• Provide tools, guidance, and reporting dashboards to track trends, risks, and gaps.
• Contribute expertise to broader initiatives such as the Volunteer Strategy and workforce pipeline partnerships.
• Build leadership capability in workforce planning through coaching and co-design.
• Align Communities' workforce strategies with Uniting's broader organisational planning.

About You
You'll be someone who thrives in collaborative environments, where your focus is on enabling others and influencing outcomes. You're skilled at balancing analytical rigour with practical application – turning complex data into human-centred workforce plans that support frontline teams.

This role would best suit someone with a background in
analytics, workforce strategy, or organisational planning
rather than recruitment or rostering.

You'll also bring:

• Tertiary qualifications in HR, Business, Analytics, Organisational Development, or a related field.
• 5+ years' experience in workforce planning, analytics, or a related field.
• Advanced analytical and data interpretation skills
  , with the ability to generate actionable insights.
• Experience collaborating and influencing stakeholders at all levels.
• Excellent communication and facilitation skills, with the ability to simplify complexity.
• Comfort working in evolving and ambiguous environments.
• Understanding of recruitment, talent pipelines, and L&D as part of workforce strategy.
• Project management experience within change or workforce transformation programs.
• Previous exposure to the community services, health, or not-for-profit sector (highly regarded).

Why Work at Uniting?
Joining Uniting means being part of a purpose-driven organisation that challenges the status quo and seeks to create lasting impact for vulnerable individuals and communities. You'll enjoy flexible working arrangements, the chance to work with leaders shaping the future of community services, and the opportunity to bring both your analytical expertise and human-centred mindset to meaningful, system-level change.

We'd love to hear from you. Please send your CV and cover letter, and apply today

For all questions, please don't hesitate to contact
Louise Massie
via email at

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, 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, well-being, and inclusion of children and young people. We are proud of the diversity of our people and always welcome everyone, exactly as they are.