Operations Manager

We are seeking an exceptional RTO leader to take ownership of the day-to-day operation and growth of an established Registered Training Organisation under new ownership. This is not a traditional compliance-only RTO Manager position. We are looking for a commercially minded operator who understands how to run an excellent RTO, build strong industry partnerships, grow enrolments and revenue, lead people, create efficient systems and maintain exceptional standards of quality and compliance.

You will work directly with the Director and have the opportunity to help shape the next chapter of the organisation from the beginning. For the right person, this is an opportunity to build something significant.

The Opportunity

• Build employer partnerships, develop B2B training opportunities, grow online enrolments and create a strong commercial pipeline.
• Own the day-to-day operation of the RTO, including student onboarding, learner progression, trainer and assessor coordination, systems, reporting and service delivery.
• Lead the RTO’s operational quality and self-assurance systems and ensure the organisation maintains strong alignment with the Standards for RTOs 2025 and other applicable regulatory requirements.

As the organisation grows, you will recruit and lead the team beneath you across training, student services, compliance and business development.

What You’ll Be Responsible For

• Lead the day-to-day operation of the RTO.
• Develop and execute a 12-month commercial growth plan.
• Identify, pitch and secure B2B training partnerships.
• Build strong relationships with employers and industry partners.
• Grow online and direct enrolment channels.
• Manage student onboarding, progression, learner support and completions.
• Coordinate trainers and assessors and maintain workforce capability.
• Oversee the Student Management System and operational reporting.
• Maintain AVETMISS, USI and records-management requirements.
• Lead validation, continuous improvement and self-assurance activities.
• Maintain accurate and compliant marketing and course information.
• Manage complaints, appeals and learner-support processes.
• Develop pricing, packages and commercial proposals.
• Monitor revenue, pipeline, operational performance and learner outcomes.
• Provide concise monthly performance reporting to the Director.
• Build the team, systems and operating structure required to support future growth.

Independent external RTO compliance assurance will support the role, providing an additional layer of governance and specialist regulatory oversight.

Who We’re Looking For

You are not simply a compliance specialist. You are an RTO operator and business builder. You understand that sustainable growth requires commercial discipline, exceptional learner outcomes, strong systems and uncompromising quality. You are comfortable moving between strategy and execution — one day developing a major employer partnership and the next reviewing operational performance, trainer capability or student progression. Most importantly, you don’t wait to be told what needs to happen. You identify the problem, develop the solution and execute.

You will ideally bring:

• 5+ years’ experience in senior RTO operations or management.
• Strong working knowledge of the Standards for RTOs 2025.
• Experience participating in or managing an ASQA audit or regulatory process.
• Demonstrated commercial or business-development capability.
• Experience managing trainers and assessors.
• Strong understanding of training and assessment, validation and RTO quality systems.
• Experience with Student Management Systems and online learning environments.
• Working knowledge of AVETMISS, USI and RTO reporting requirements.
• Strong leadership, communication and stakeholder-management skills.
• The ability to build systems, solve problems and operate with a high degree of autonomy.

Highly Regarded

Experience in any of the following would be particularly valuable:

• Disability
• Aged care
• Community services
• Health or human services training
• Online or technology-enabled education
• RTO growth or turnaround
• Change of ownership
• Building new training products or delivery channels
• Employer-funded or B2B training

A current TAE40122 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, or recognised predecessor, would also be highly regarded.

What Success Looks Like

Within your first 12 months, we expect you to have:

• Established a strong and reliable RTO operating rhythm;
• Implemented effective quality and self-assurance systems;
• Developed a measurable commercial growth strategy;
• Secured new employer partnerships;
• Grown enrolments and revenue against an agreed plan;
• Delivered a high-quality learner experience;
• Built the systems and team required for the next stage of growth;
• Created an operation capable of scaling without becoming dependent on the Director.

Why Join?

This is a rare opportunity to step into an established RTO at the beginning of a new growth chapter. You will have direct access to the Director, genuine influence over strategy and operations, and the autonomy to build the systems, team and commercial engine required for scale. We have ambitious plans for the organisation and are looking for someone who wants to help build an exceptional education business — not simply maintain one.

The package includes a competitive base salary of $115,000-135,000 + superannuation, with the opportunity to participate in a performance incentive linked to commercial, operational and quality outcomes. All applications will be treated confidentially.