This Week's Spotlight - Robert Murphy, General Manager Employment & Participation Programs at SSI
This week we shine the spotlight on Robert Murphy, General Manager Employment & Participation Programs at Settlement Services International - SSI.
Robert began his career in Employment Services on the frontline, progressing through roles in case management, site management, and senior leadership over more than 10 years in the sector.
His journey has given him a broad understanding of the industry and a strong commitment to keeping people at the heart of everything he does.
His people-focused leadership style, passion for developing others, and belief in the power of employment to transform lives make him someone well worth learning from.
Check out his responses below and enjoy the experience, insights, and wisdom he brings.
1. How did you get your start in Employment Services?
My career in Employment Services began on the frontline in case management before I became a Senior Job Coach, working directly with participants and employers. Over more than 10 years in the sector, I progressed through Site Manager, Regional Manager and National Manager roles at The Salvation Army Employment Plus before joining SSI as Head of Employment Services and now General Manager, Employment and Participation Programs.
Having worked across frontline, site, regional, state, national and executive leadership roles has given me a broad perspective on the sector while keeping me grounded in the realities our teams face every day. It reminds me that behind every contract, KPI and performance measure is a person, a family and a future we are helping to build.
2. What advice would you give to leaders who carry a lot on their shoulders, managing people, processes, and systems all at once?
Leadership isn't about having all the answers or carrying everything yourself. It's about creating clarity, setting expectations and giving people the trust, support and tools they need to succeed.
People, processes and systems all matter, but they work best when they work together. I try to be approachable and collaborative while remaining clear about accountability.
Build capability around you, encourage shared ownership and create an environment where people feel comfortable raising issues early, contributing ideas and learning from each other. Most importantly, keep people connected to purpose and the impact their work has on others.
“Leadership isn’t about carrying everything yourself, it’s about creating clarity, setting expectations and giving people the trust and tools they need to succeed.”
3. Employment Services is incredibly rewarding, but the first year can take real resilience. What advice would you give to a new employment consultant starting out?
Give yourself time to learn. Employment Services is a rewarding sector, but there is a lot to understand, from participants and employers through to systems, compliance and performance expectations.
Ask questions, stay curious and learn from the people around you. Most importantly, stay human. Listen well, build genuine relationships and take the time to understand each person's circumstances, goals and strengths. You don't need to have every answer on day one. Focus on building trust, following through on your commitments and recognising that sometimes the small wins lead to the biggest outcomes.
"Build capability around you, encourage shared ownership and create an environment where people feel comfortable raising issues early, contributing ideas and learning from each other.”
4. Can you share a memorable moment when something you did, a conversation, piece of advice, or action, made a positive difference to a staff member, peer, or job seeker?
The leadership experiences that have shaped me most are the everyday moments working alongside others, sharing in their success and helping them build the confidence to recognise and develop their own strengths.
I once expected the biggest organisational achievements, winning tenders, exceeding performance measures or seeing initiatives grow, to be the most meaningful. Instead, I have found the greatest reward in encouraging people to step into leadership, embrace new challenges and back their abilities.
This matters deeply to me because strong mentors gave me an early foothold in the sector and helped me recognise my own potential. Creating those same opportunities for others to grow and thrive is what leadership means to me.
5. What surprised you most about working in Employment Services once you were actually in the role?
The complexity, but also the impact. People often think Employment Services is simply about helping someone find a job, but it's much more than that. Employment can intersect with confidence, culture, disability, health, housing, education, family circumstances and a person's sense of identity and belonging.
At the same time, providers are working within complex contracts, compliance frameworks and performance expectations. Balancing those requirements while keeping people at the centre of what we do is challenging, but it's also what makes the work so rewarding. Every participant brings a different story, there is rarely a one-size-fits-all solution, and seeing someone achieve outcomes they didn't think were possible is one of the most fulfilling parts of the sector.
"Every participant brings a different story, there is rarely a one-size-fits-all solution."
6. What keeps you motivated in this industry, even on the hard days?
People and purpose. Employment can positively transform far more than someone's financial circumstances. It can build confidence, independence and connection, while creating opportunity and hope for the future.
I'm motivated by the opportunity to build services, partnerships and teams that deliver positive transformation at scale. I'm equally passionate about developing people, recognising success and seeing individuals and communities thrive. As my career has progressed into more strategic leadership roles, I've never lost sight of our purpose. Every decision we make ultimately affects real people, and staying connected to that purpose continues to drive me every day.
Connect with Robert Murphy on LinkedIn
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