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.

Whilst this role draws upon workforce data, its true focus is influencing, partnering, and translating information into insight. You will bring clarity to complexity—turning workforce trends and patterns into simple, meaningful, and actionable guidance that leaders can use confidently. You'll have enough data analytics capability to interpret workforce information, identify trends, and draw out the key messages that matter most—without needing to be a deep technical specialist.

This is not a recruitment, rostering, or scheduling role. It is a genuinely strategic position where success is driven by relationship-building, systems thinking, communication, and facilitation, supported by your ability to understand what the data is signalling and guide leaders through it.

Key Responsibilities

• Partner with Communities leaders to develop workforce plans aligned to 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 information and labour market insights to support scenario planning and decision-making.
• Provide accessible tools, guidance, and dashboards that simplify complex trends.
• Contribute to broader initiatives such as the Volunteer Strategy and workforce pipeline partnerships.
• Build leadership capability in workforce planning through coaching, facilitation, and co-design.
• Align Communities' workforce strategies with Uniting's broader organisational planning.

About You

You thrive in collaborative environments and see your role as enabling leaders to make confident, informed decisions. You excel at building relationships, influencing outcomes, and communicating simply and clearly, especially when breaking down complex ideas for diverse stakeholders.

You have sound data analytics capability—comfortable interpreting workforce patterns, drawing insights, and explaining what the information means in practical, human terms. You don't need deep technical data expertise; what matters is your ability to turn information into clarity and guide strategic conversations.

You'll also bring:

• Tertiary qualifications in HR, Business, Analytics, Organisational Development, or a related field.
• 5+ years' experience in workforce planning, workforce strategy, organisational planning, analytics, or a related field.
• Strong business partnering skills with the ability to influence and engage senior leaders.
• Excellent communication and facilitation skills, with a talent for simplifying complexity.
• Experience collaborating across multi-disciplinary teams.
• 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 community services, health, or the 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 opportunity to work with leaders shaping the future of community services, and the chance to bring your strategic thinking and communication strengths 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 contact Louise Massie at

What We Offer You

• A rewarding career with a leading human services organisation.
• Up to $18,550 NFP salary packaging.
• Access to our U Rewards program with exclusive discounts.
• Flexible work arrangements for work-life balance.
• Affordable access to Fitness Passport.
• A supportive, inclusive, and collaborative work culture.
• Opportunities for professional growth.

Uniting NSW.ACT contributes to the work and mission of the Uniting Church in NSW and the ACT through social justice advocacy, community services and spiritual care. We provide care and support for people through all ages and stages of life, with a focus on people experiencing disadvantage and vulnerability. Our purpose is to inspire people, enliven communities and confront injustice.

Uniting is a Child Safe Organisation committed to promoting the safety, wellbeing and inclusion of children and young people.

Empowered by diversity

At Uniting, inclusion isn't just something we value – it's how we work. Our culture and practice reflect the vibrant diversity of our colleagues, and the clients and communities we serve.