CFA is an emergency service that places the community at the centre of everything we do. We work to protect lives and property across Victoria, every hour of the day.

Our organisation is made up of employees working alongside more than 51,000 volunteers. We value the different skills, experience and viewpoints that people bring, because they strengthen how we operate and support the services Victorians rely on.

We aim to be a workplace where people feel supported to do meaningful work, develop professionally and contribute to outcomes that matter to the people and places we serve.

To learn more about who we are and the work we do, visit our About Us page.

About the Role

This ongoing Program Manager - People Excellence & Innovation (PXI) role will see you support the delivery of key People & Culture programs aligned to CFA priorities. Working with senior leaders and stakeholders, you will provide program management and governance support to ensure initiatives are delivered effectively.

In this role, you will:

• Lead the planning and delivery of People & Culture programs and projects.
• Work with senior leaders to support delivery of agreed outcomes.
• Develop and maintain project plans, including milestones, budgets, risks and dependencies.
• Prepare reports, briefing papers and presentations for governance and Executive audiences.
• Support program governance, including steering committees and reporting structures.
• Use workforce data and reporting to support tracking and continuous improvement.
• Maintain effective working relationships across the organisation to support delivery.

About You

The person we are looking for is an organised and collaborative program management professional with experience supporting the delivery of complex programs and projects. You are comfortable working with stakeholders, managing competing priorities and ensuring work is delivered to a high standard.

To be successful in this role, you will bring:

• Tertiary qualifications in HR, Organisational Development or a related discipline and/or relevant program or project management experience.
• Experience supporting delivery of programs or projects, including planning, tracking and reporting.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including reports, briefings and presentations.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and support decision-making.
• Experience using project management systems and reporting tools.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work with a broad range of stakeholders.
• Understanding of, or appreciation for, volunteer-based emergency service organisations.

Desirable

• Experience in organisational development, workforce projects or continuous improvement.
• Confidence using digital tools to support program coordination and reporting.
• Exposure to Lean, Six Sigma, PRINCE2, Agile and/or Prosci change methodologies.

Why choose CFA

• Meaningful Purpose: Your contribution truly makes a difference
• Work-Life Balance: Paid parental leave, generous leave provisions
• Flexibility: Hybrid work options with flexible work arrangements
• Discounts: Emergency Memberlink discounts on various services
• Wellbeing Focus: Health Ready programs, flu vaccinations
• Member Assistance Program: Access support across 8 service pathways

Your Application

Click the `Apply' button to access our online application portal. You will be prompted to provide your personal and contact details and to respond to employment-related questions. When applying for a position with CFA, please include a cover letter (no more than 2 pages) and resume that clearly demonstrate your qualifications, experience and the key attributes and skills relevant to the role.

Pre-employment Checks

Offers of employment will only be made to candidates who are able to successfully complete a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check, Working Rights Check and hold a valid Working with Children Check. You will also be required to provide at least two professional references.

Applications close: 11:59pm 14 July 2026

What to expect from our recruitment process

CFA is committed to creating and maintaining a diverse, inclusive, and safe volunteer and work environment. Our aim is to have a volunteer and paid workforce that reflects the community it serves. First Nations people, women, people of all ages, with disabilities and culturally and linguistically diverse people are encouraged to apply.

If at any stage of the recruitment and selection process you require an alternative format to the application material or reasonable adjustment to the interview arrangements, please don't hesitate to contact the person listed on the ad or alternatively, email recruitment@cfa.vic.gov.au

The Country Fire Authority (CFA) values your privacy. We will use the information you provide when you are applying for employment with us for the purpose of recruitment, selection, evaluation and appointment and to report on anonymised key metrics (e.g. diversity). The information we collect will be handled in accordance with privacy laws, including the Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014. You can view our Privacy Statement here. For access and correction of the information we have collected, contact recruitment@cfa.vic.gov.au