Engagement Manager

Shape meaningful partnerships. Empower future professionals.

Acknowledge Education is entering an exciting new chapter. With a refreshed leadership team and a renewed focus on innovation, growth, and student success, we're building on our 139-year legacy to shape the future of higher education and vocational education across Australia.

With campuses in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide, we support more than 8,000 students each year across health, community services, social work, engineering, hospitality and VCE programs.

As we continue to strengthen our industry partnerships and expand our student placement network, we're looking for an experienced Engagement Manager who is passionate about building relationships, creating opportunities and making a genuine difference to student outcomes.

If you're someone who thrives on connecting people, developing partnerships and creating lasting impact, we'd love to hear from you.

Full-Time | Sydney (Barangaroo Campus) | Hybrid (2-3 Days on Campus)

About the Role

Reporting to the Engagement Team Leader, you'll play a key role in growing and managing our network of industry partners to ensure students in our Community Services and Master of Social Work programs have access to meaningful, high-quality placement opportunities.

This is a relationship-focused role where you'll engage with community organisations, government agencies and industry partners to build sustainable placement pathways that benefit both students and host organisations.

You'll work closely with academic teams, placement colleagues and external stakeholders to deliver exceptional placement experiences while supporting accreditation requirements and continuous improvement.

No two days are the same—you'll spend your time building new partnerships, strengthening existing relationships, solving challenges and helping students launch successful careers.

What You'll Be Doing

• Build, develop and maintain strong relationships with industry partners across the community services and social work sectors.
• Identify and secure quality student placement opportunities aligned to course requirements.
• Grow a sustainable pipeline of placement partners to support future student demand.
• Collaborate with academic teams to ensure placements meet accreditation and learning outcomes.
• Ensure placements comply with AASW, CWA, ESOS and organisational requirements.
• Monitor placement quality and work collaboratively to deliver outstanding student and host organisation experiences.
• Gather stakeholder feedback to continuously improve placement outcomes and student readiness.
• Resolve placement-related issues professionally and proactively.
• Maintain accurate records, partnership information and placement data.
• Represent Acknowledge Education within the community, strengthening our reputation as a trusted education partner.

About You

You'll be an experienced relationship builder who enjoys developing partnerships, influencing stakeholders and creating mutually beneficial outcomes.

You'll also bring:

• A qualification in Community Services, Social Work, Management or a related discipline.
• Previous experience working within the community services or social work sector.
• Demonstrated success in stakeholder engagement, business development or partnership management.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills with the ability to engage diverse stakeholders.
• Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Knowledge of placement processes and compliance requirements within Higher Education and/or VET (highly regarded).
• A genuine passion for supporting student success and strengthening industry connections.

Why Join Acknowledge Education?

This is an exciting opportunity to join an organisation with real momentum.

With new leadership, continued investment in our people and ambitious growth plans, you'll have the opportunity to shape partnerships that directly influence student success while developing your own career.

We offer:

• Hybrid working with 2-3 days on campus.
• Genuine opportunities for career growth across the UP Education group.
• $1,500 annual professional development allowance.
• A collaborative, supportive and student-focused culture.
• Bupa health insurance discounts.
• The opportunity to work in an agile organisation where your ideas are valued and can quickly become reality.

Acknowledge Education is proud to be part of UP Education, one of Australasia's leading education providers.

Questions about your identity help us appreciate the diversity of individuals looking to work with us, ensuring we’re attracting applications from people with identities and perspectives that are as diverse as our students. 

We are an equal opportunity employer. As part of our commitment to equity, we work to ensure a fair and consistent interview process. We celebrate diversity and we are committed to an inclusive work environment.