We are seeking a proactive and strategic Industry Engagement Lead to work within our Service Operations and Program management team; focusing on industry relationship building, workforce planning, employer brand, alternative hiring strategies, talent development & retention. We are looking for an outstanding relationship builder who will work closely with multiple internal and external stakeholders to support Tesla's ongoing growth. (Key partners: Aftersales Leadership, Field Teams, HR, Recruiting, L&D, Marketing).

The role will work on establishing and delivering innovative alternative talent pathways for Teslas Aftersales teams across Australia & New Zealand, working in partnership to supplement the current recruitment and training teams delivery scope.

It will also focus on increasing awareness of Aftersales careers, fostering partnerships with TAFEs, schools, and industry stakeholders, and building sustainable long-term workforce solutions. The ideal candidate will help drive innovation in our talent hiring strategies, position our sites as premium employers, and ensure alignment with organizational growth goals.

There will be significant travel involved across Australia & New Zealand. Although an initial 12 month contract, there is scope for conversion to permanent with demonstrated impact of the role.

Industry Engagement & Events

• Design and deliver high-impact initiatives such as:
• Site open days to showcase our facilities and culture.
• Industry events ("tech nights") to engage with professionals and students.
• Position our sites as cutting-edge, safe, and desirable workplaces to attract top talent.

Talent Pipeline Development

• Build and maintain relationships with TAFEs, trade schools, and industry networks across ANZ to identify and nurture talent.
• Establish referral and word-of-mouth hiring channels to attract qualified candidates, with clear handover pathways to the Recruiting team.
• Develop targeted strategies to help Tesla recruit experienced Body Repair technicians & painters and work to upskill existing teams.

Career Pathways & Workforce Planning

• Specialist) to improve retention and mobility.
• Collaborate with leadership to identify skill gaps and align workforce development with business needs.
• Implement strategies to boost apprentice conversion rates and long-term retention.

Scope of Role

In partnership with our Aftersales leaders, Recruitment, HR, L&D and Marketing teams this role will:

• Act as a strategic partner to TAFEs, schools, and industry leaders to co-create talent solutions.
• Compliment short-term hiring needs with long-term workforce planning.
• Champion Tesla’s brand as a leader in Aftersales career development.

Expected Outcomes (12-Month Horizon)

By the end of 12 months, the successful candidate will demonstrate measurable progress in:

• Time-to-fill for Body Repair and Service roles through proactive pipeline development.
• Reduce reliance on SEEK ads and associated costs by prioritizing direct candidate engagement.
• Direct applications from qualified candidates via targeted outreach and partnerships.
• Event-driven hires from open days, industry events, and school collaborations.
• Apprentice conversion and retention through structured pathways and mentorship programs.

We are open to candidates from a variety of working backgrounds including technical trades & non trades.