Work Type: Ongoing - Full-time
Salary: Salary not specified
Grade: Grade in advertisement
Occupation: Human resources
Location: Melbourne - Eastern suburbs
Reference: VG/1955585
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
We are seeking a strategic leader with strong stakeholder influence to lead the implementation and continuous improvement of CFA's culture and gender equality initiatives and drive the delivery of the Culture Improvement Program and Gender Equality Action Plan 2026–2030.
Reporting to the Senior Manager Culture and Inclusion, this role provides strategic project, change and specialist expertise to translate organisational commitments into practical, evidence-based programs that strengthen culture and leadership accountability across both employee and volunteer environments. The role also leads initiatives that advance gender equality outcomes within the employee workforce, ensuring the effective implementation of the Gender Equality Action Plan, robust governance, measurable outcomes and clear reporting to senior leaders and governance bodies.
About you
The ideal candidate will bring relevant tertiary qualifications with significant professional experience in organisational development, culture, change management, human resources or a related field, coupled with experience leading complex culture, gender equality or organisational change initiatives in large organisations.
You will possess strong program and project management expertise, exceptional stakeholder engagement and influencing skills, and the ability to develop effective change, communication and engagement strategies that deliver sustainable outcomes. Supported by strong analytical, strategic thinking and problem-solving capabilities, you will use evidence to inform decision-making, navigate governance requirements, and produce high-quality reports and recommendations, while demonstrating a sound understanding of contemporary gender equality practices and legislative obligations.
This is an excellent opportunity to play a pivotal role in advancing culture and gender equality outcomes across a complex and purpose-led organisation.
A detailed position description is attached.
Why choose CFA
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 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 successfu lly 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 23 November 2026.
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 [email protected]
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 [email protected]