Job Title: Funding Acquisition Manager

Company Description

Sodexo is a global leader in quality-of-life services, operating across food, facilities management, and employee experience. In Australia, we support diverse sectors including defence, remote resources, health, education, and corporate clients. Our Learning & Development function is vital for building the talent pipeline that fuels our business growth.

Job Description

Are you an expert in government employment and training funding who thrives at the intersection of policy, finance, and workforce strategy? Sodexo Australia is looking for a commercially minded Funding Acquisition Manager to lead the identification, acquisition, and governance of government-funded programs across our national operations. Reporting to the General Manager Learning & Development, you will be Sodexo's subject matter expert on Australian government employment funding, maximizing financial returns through wage subsidies, traineeship and apprenticeship incentives, and state and federal training funds while building workforce capability across the organization.

What You Will Do

• Submit, manage, and administer wage subsidy agreements with Workforce Australia (WFA) and Remote Australia Employment Services (RAES) agencies.
• Lead end-to-end coordination of traineeship and apprenticeship programs nationally, including School Based Traineeship (SBTA) partnerships with schools, colleges, and Group Training Organisations (GTOs), and Educational Work Experience programs.
• Process and manage state and federal incentive fund claims, including lodgements through the Apprenticeship Data Management System (ADMS).
• Serve as Sodexo's authoritative voice on government employment funding, presenting strategic updates to the Country Leadership Team (CLT) as required.
• Build and manage external partnerships with State Training Authorities, RTOs, GTOs, Apprentice Connect Australia Providers, and government bodies.
• Monitor changes to government funding policy and eligibility criteria, proactively adjusting Sodexo's funding strategy to optimize outcomes.
• Manage fund invoice drafting, claim submission, remittance reconciliation, and reporting in partnership with the Finance team.
• Lead and develop one direct report, the Vocational Training Programs Coordinator.
• Manage RTO and GTO invoice processing, account reconciliation, and reporting, partnering with the Finance team to ensure accuracy and timely payment.

What We Are Looking For

• Minimum 3–5 years of experience managing government employment and training funds, wage subsidies, or traineeship/apprenticeship programs in a large, complex organization.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the Australian employment funding landscape, including WFA, RAES, AAIS, and state-based employer incentives.
• Experience with government digital portals such as WFA Online, ADMS, and MyGovID.
• Proven track record engaging with RTOs, GTOs, Apprentice Connect Australia Providers, and State Training Authorities.
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills, capable of translating complex funding frameworks into clear guidance for diverse audiences.
• High-level organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple concurrent deadlines aligned with government reporting cycles.

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualifications in Human Resources, Business, Training & Assessment (TAE40116/TAE40122), Public Policy, or a related discipline.

Additional Information

• Work with a global organization committed to workforce development.
• Hybrid work arrangements available, subject to operational needs.
• A high-impact role with direct visibility to senior leadership and national business outcomes.
• Collaborative, values-driven culture with a commitment to diversity and inclusion.