Workforce Operations Team Leader
Southern Cross Station
Permanent, full-time
V/Line’s purpose is to connect Victorians through safe, reliable, and accessible transport. We believe in giving all Victorians opportunities through travel and transport – connecting them to jobs, education, family and friends, services, tourism, and trade.
V/Line is experiencing significant growth and we’re delivering more services, more trains, cheaper fares, and huge projects. With more than 3,700 weekly train and coach services, an expansive freight network and unprecedented rail investment, millions of Victorians depend on us to deliver. You could be one of our 3,100 committed team members who are up to the challenge.
About the role
This role is about people as much as rosters. You'll lead a team of 18 workforce controllers for day of operations that is ready for change, and we need someone who will listen, build trust both ways, and work with the team to shape how it runs. You'll start with a 30, 60, and 90 day plan agreed with your manager, then lead the change with the team alongside you.
Workforce Operations keeps V/Line's trains crewed. In a 24/7 operation, the team manages the live roster and makes the calls that put qualified train staff where they need to be.
When absences, disruptions, or safety risks put services under pressure, you'll decide what can wait and what needs a call now, and you'll make it. You'll set clear expectations, hold people accountable, and make fair, consistent decisions the team can rely on.
You'll join during a time of uplift for the wider function, and you'll enjoy helping shape what comes next. Within 12 months, we want to see a confident, engaged team.
Key accountabilities:
- Lead your team in managing the live daily roster and making real-time workforce control decisions.
- Make the call during disruptions, absences, and high-risk situations, and give clear escalation support.
- Build consistent procedures, training and competency standards, and escalation channels.
- Make sure rosters comply with Enterprise Agreements, fatigue risk management, rail safety requirements, and business rules.
- Manage overtime within budget.
- Hold regular one-to-ones, coach, manage performance, and develop your team's talent.
- Report on staff movement, disruptions, training impacts, and resourcing pressures, including new reporting from Hastus data.
- Work with the Workforce Planning and Readiness Team Leader so planning and live operations line up.
Location & Travel Considerations
This role is based at Southern Cross Station and needs regular attendance on site. You will work a rotating roster that gives leadership cover across AM and PM operational periods. From time to time, you will step in to give direct cover within the Workforce Operations team.
About you
Our ideal candidate will possess the following:
- At least three years' leadership experience in an operations environment, with the judgement to prioritise and make time-critical calls safely.
- Strong people leadership, including managing performance and holding people accountable.
- Experience leading a team through change and building trust.
- Strong understanding of, and experience operating under, Enterprise Agreements in an industrial environment.
- Experience using rostering or workforce systems and interpreting operational data.
- You treat people with respect, own your mistakes, and bring a growth mindset. You don't need to be a rostering expert on day one, but you'll need to learn it fast.
- Public transport industry experience, fatigue risk management experience (including FAID), or Hastus experience will be an advantage.
If your skills or experience don’t exactly match our listed requirements, we still encourage you to apply. We value diverse perspectives and believe in the potential for growth and development.
Why V/Line
In addition to free myki travel, we offer:
- Community impact – Make a genuine difference. Work in a role that connects Victorians, every day.
- Huge potential – We’re transforming, and you can too. Be a change maker, recognised for your contribution and creativity.
- Dynamic environment – V/Line operates in a constantly changing space. Join a fast-paced and exciting organisation.
- Collaborative team – You’ll be part of a broader supportive team. Surround yourself with talented, passionate peers.
- Flexible working – We support flexible working. Work in a way that supports you to thrive in your role.
We are committed to ensuring a comfortable and accessible recruitment experience. If you need any adjustments or have specific accessibility requirements at any stage of the process, please contact our Talent team at TalentSupport@vline.com.au or 1800 800 007 for confidential support.
As an equal opportunity employer, V/Line is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive and respectful workplace and network that reflects the communities we serve. We accept and value the contributions of all our employees regardless of gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, age or disability. We are also proud to be endorsed by Work 180 as a great place for women to work, second year in a row.
V/Line are proud to be a part of the Department of Transport & Planning's Yani Bangal Transport and Planning Portfolio First Peoples Careers Strategy 2023-2028. We take this opportunity to welcome and encourage applications from First Peoples.
At V/Line, safety is our priority. Successful applicants will undergo relevant pre-employment and medical checks to meet our safe working standards. V/Line is also a proud Child Safe employer.
This position will be paid in line with the V/Line Rail Operations and Administration Employees Agreement 2023.
The selection process may include aptitude assessments and a behavioural interview.
Applications close: 11:59pm, Monday, 12 October 2026.