Ross has vast leadership and management experience in the migration field, particularly relating to border operations, border security analysis, training and project management. This was developed through nearly 35 years experience working for the Australian Immigration Department and during consultancies for the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

In the Australian Immigration Department, Ross's experience incorporated work in areas relating to research, policy development, training, operations, analysis and project management. 

As head of a number of different sections within the Department of Immigration, Ross operated in culturally diverse situations negotiating and working with the immigration services of other countries to strengthen their border operations and instigate cultural change. He has developed and presented training programs and undertaken reviews of border operations both in Australia and in other countries to strengthen border security and streamline border operations. He was instrumental in leading the computerisation of the border operations in the Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) and modernization of border operation in that country.

As a consultant for IOM and UNODC, he has conducted border assessments to strengthen border security and introduce best practice in six countries across Asia and the Middle East. In the IOM he also managed projects strengthening the border capacity of countries to meet their goal of greater border security and integrity whilst facilitating genuine travellers.