Manager, Talent Acquisition - Contingent Workforce (FTC)

*This role would be a fixed-term contract up to Dec 2027.

Optus is an Australian telecommunications company, delivering more than 11 million services to our customers every day across mobile, broadband and digital solutions.

As the Talent Acquisition Manager, you will lead the strategy and delivery of Optus' contingent workforce program, ensuring access to the specialist talent needed to drive business success. Overseeing contractors, and vendor-supplied resources, you will partner with stakeholders across the business to deliver efficient, compliant, and future-focused workforce solutions while continuously enhancing processes, governance, and the contingent talent experience.

You will lead the RFT process to source, select and contract a new Panel of preferred recruitment suppliers, ensuring a panel that is compliant, cost effective and fit for purpose.

What You’ll Do 

• Lead Contingent Workforce Strategy by managing the end-to-end lifecycle of contractors,, and non-employee talent solutions aligned to business objectives.
• Partner with Business Leaders and P&C Teams to identify workforce needs, address capability gaps, and support workforce planning, talent forecasting, and resource optimisation.
• Provide Strategic Workforce Advice on the most effective blend of permanent, contingent, and outsourced talent to meet evolving business demands.
• Lead procurement process for selection of a new recruitment supplier panel, working with procurement, legal, and other stakeholders and SME’s across the business.
• Manage Vendor and Partner Relationships, including recruitment agencies, technology providers, and workforce suppliers, ensuring strong performance, service delivery, and continuous improvement.
• Drive Commercial Oversight and Cost Management by monitoring contingent workforce spend, ensuring compliance with agreed rate cards, commercial terms, and budget expectations.
• Ensure Governance, Compliance, and Risk Management through robust workforce policies, worker classification practices, procurement processes, and audit readiness.
• Lead and Develop the Contingent Workforce Team, fostering a high-performance culture focused on operational excellence, innovation, stakeholder engagement, and continuous improvement.

What makes you perfect for the role? 

• Experience in Talent Acquisition, Workforce Management, or Contingent Workforce programs.
• Proven people leadership and team management capability.
• Strong understanding of contractor, SOW, and vendor management models.
• Experience with VMS, ATS, and workforce management technologies.
• Previous experience leading and managing RFT processes to select and contract a panel of preferred recruitment suppliers.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and influencing skills.
• Knowledge of employment legislation, procurement, governance, and risk management.

What’s in it for you?

• Competitive remuneration and employee discounts. Make life easier (and more affordable) with $80 monthly credit and 25% off Optus products and unique shopping discounts with our retail partners.
• Flexible working arrangements with opportunities to work three days in the office, two days remote or home.
• Vibrant and collaborative office campus that includes cafes, convenience store, chill out zones, GP, post office, gym and on-site childcare centre.
• Build meaningful connections through employee-led networks and diversity initiatives including Culture Connect, Elevate Women, Disability Network and Express Yourself (LGBTQIA+).
• Put your wellbeing first with free access to counselling and support services, 24/7 — in-person, by phone, SMS, or video.
• Free Optus bus from Macquarie University Metro Station (every 6-8 minutes); morning and afternoon.

At Optus, we are strengthened by others and that means valuing diversity and saying ‘yes’ to embracing individual differences. We are committed to ensuring that our application process provides an equal employment opportunity to all job seekers, including individuals from diverse gender, cultural and linguistic backgrounds, individuals with a disability, individuals identifying as being part of the LGBTQIA+ community, individuals who may have served in the armed forces or who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. We also want to do our best to make our recruitment process inclusive. If you require any adjustments or accessibility support to participate fairly and equitably in the recruitment process, please email AccessibleRecruitment@optus.com.au or call 1800 309 170. We're here to help. When you contact us, please advise your preferred method of contact and we will be in touch within 48 hours.

For more information on Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging at Optus, please visit https://www.optus.com.au/about/inclusion-diversity

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