Darwin Employment Services Leader — Program & Team Director

Saltbush Social Enterprises; Darwin; On-site; AUD 110,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary packaging

5 weeks annual leave

12% superannuation

Job summary

Saltbush Social Enterprises, based in Darwin, seeks an Employment Services Program Manager to lead the delivery and continuous improvement of contracted and purchased services for Aboriginal job seekers. You will guide the Darwin Employment Services team, ensuring effective program delivery, budget oversight and stakeholder engagement.

You will collaborate with internal teams and external partners to build pathways, ensure compliance and report on outcomes to the CEO and Board.

Qualifications

• Experience in the Employment Services sector, ideally working with Aboriginal and/or vulnerable job seekers.
• Experience leading and developing a team, including supporting performance, providing feedback and building an accountable team culture.
• Strong understanding of employment services, skills development and pathways that respond to employer and labour market needs.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to build effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to manage competing operational priorities, resources and contractual requirements while maintaining quality service delivery.
• Capacity to provide strategic leadership and contribute to the achievement of Saltbush's Employment Services goals.
• Established relationships with local industry, employers, service providers and government agencies.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Employment Services team, including setting expectations, allocating responsibilities, providing direction and feedback and supporting employee performance, development and engagement.
• Recruit and onboard team members to maintain appropriate staffing levels and effective service delivery.
• Manage employee performance and development, including probation, performance reviews, professional development and addressing performance concerns in accordance with Saltbush policies and procedures.
• Support workforce planning, leave management and resource allocation to ensure appropriate staffing levels and continuity of service delivery.
• Conduct regular team meetings, individual check-ins and weekly case management meetings to support communication, accountability, performance and service delivery.
• Oversee Employment Services program delivery, ensuring activities are delivered effectively, are culturally appropriate and person-centred.
• Monitor program performance, contract indicators and outcomes, using data, reporting and evaluation to identify areas where targets are being met or require attention.
• Prepare and oversee contract and program reporting, ensuring all required reports are accurate, meaningful and submitted on time.
• Develop and maintain effective relationships with employment service providers, employers, government agencies, community organisations and other relevant stakeholders.
• Negotiate with Employment Service Providers regarding the supply of eligible program participants and maintain service agreements to ensure agreed requirements are appropriate and deliverable.
• Support and contribute to industry and employer engagement activities that strengthen employment pathways and opportunities for Aboriginal job seekers, in collaboration with the Engagement Officer.
• Monitor and manage program budgets, operational expenditure and payroll costs, identifying and addressing budget variances in consultation with the CEO and Accounts team.
• Monitor program compliance, quality and service delivery risks, taking appropriate action to address identified issues.
• Lead continuous improvement activities to strengthen service delivery, systems and processes and respond to relevant advice and feedback.
• Schedule and manage resources for workshops and activities that build employability skills and knowledge for Aboriginal job seekers.
• Oversee the development of employees, including trainees, supporting opportunities for learning, practical experience and skills development.
• Work collaboratively with Saltbush's internal teams, including Finance, Recruitment, IT, Marketing, Risk and Quality.
• Maintain open and transparent communication with Saltbush leadership to support contract management, organisational priorities and Board reporting.

Skills

Employment Services

Team Leadership

Stakeholder Engagement

Budget Management

Contract Compliance

Strategic Leadership

Community Engagement

Job description

Saltbush Social Enterprises, based in Darwin, seeks an Employment Services Program Manager to lead the delivery and continuous improvement of contracted and purchased services for Aboriginal job seekers. You will guide the Darwin Employment Services team, ensuring effective program delivery, budget oversight and stakeholder engagement.

You will collaborate with internal teams and external partners to build pathways, ensure compliance and report on outcomes to the CEO and Board.