Director - Programs, Strategy and Capability (Identified)

First Nations Foundation Limited; Adelaide; On-site; AUD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

First Nations Foundation Limited seeks a senior leader to drive national programs and capability building. You will set strategic direction, oversee program delivery, and ensure cultural safety and measurable impact for First Nations communities.

The Director will report to the CEO, lead the Education and Training team, and collaborate with funders, government and community partners to scale programs with high quality outcomes.

Qualifications

• Senior leadership experience, including strategy development and managing managers or team leads.
• Knowledge of financial services or public policy environments is a plus.
• Demonstrated oversight of programs, budgets, compliance and outcomes reporting.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to organisational strategy as an Executive Team member and lead program strategy delivery.
• Identify growth opportunities, new program models and partnerships to extend reach and impact.
• Provide culturally grounded leadership guided by First Nations values and community priorities.
• Ensure design, delivery, quality, and cultural integrity of education and training programs.

Skills

Leadership

Strategy Development

Stakeholder engagement

Not-for-profit sector experience

Cultural competency

Travel readiness

Job description

Director - Programs, Strategy and Capability (Identified)

The Director – Programs, Strategy and Capability is a senior leadership role and a member of the Executive Team, reporting to the CEO. The Director sets the direction for FNF's national programs and builds the organisational and community capability needed to deliver them at scale, so that programs are culturally safe, high quality, sustainable and measurably improve financial wellbeing for First Nations peoples. The Director is accountable for the strategy, delivery, quality and impact of the program portfolio. The role combines strategic thinking with strong operational judgement, and requires deep cultural competency, credibility with community, funders and government, and a collaborative, values-driven leadership style.

Key responsibilities

• Contribute to organisational strategy as a member of the Executive Team, and lead the development and delivery of the programs and capability strategy
• Identify and shape growth opportunities, new program models and partnerships that extend FNF's reach and impact
• Provide culturally grounded leadership, ensuring decisions and ways of working are guided by First Nations values and community priorities
• Hold accountability for the design, delivery, quality and cultural integrity of FNF's education and training programs, including content and key communication assets
• Establish outcomes, evaluation and reporting frameworks that demonstrate impact to community, funders, government and the Board
• Oversee compliance, risk management and contractual commitments across the portfolio
• Build organisational and community capability through fit-for-purpose systems, policies, processes, workforce planning and professional development
• Drive continuous improvement so programs can scale sustainably, and oversee program logistics, travel and events through the Program Operations Lead
• Hold accountability for program budgets and resource allocation, ensuring resources are aligned to funding and contractual commitments
• Lead, coach and develop the Education and Training Team, setting clear priorities, KPIs and expectations

About you

• Proven senior leadership experience, including strategy development and leading managers or team leaders, ideally in a not-for-profit, community, education or social impact setting
• Knowledge of and prior experience working in the financial services sector or public policy environment
• Demonstrated experience overseeing program delivery, budgets, compliance and outcomes reporting
• Strong stakeholder skills, with the credibility to engage community, funders, government and corporate partners
• Emotional intelligence, sound judgement, and a warm yet professional communication style
• Ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Willingness and availability to travel when required
• A Working with Children Check (can be obtained after commencement)
• A safe, confidential workspace and reliable internet connection for work from home, including completion of the workplace safety check

About us

FNF is dedicated to empowering First Nations people to take control of their financial future through all aspects of their training and education initiatives. As the only national First Nations financial education provider in Australia, FNF leverages evidence-based research to inform its programs and advocate for systemic changes to enhance financial security among First Nations Australians. Through programs like Train-the-Trainer, My Money Dream and Rich Blak Women, community initiatives such as Financial Wellness Outreach and strategic partnerships with financial institutions, FNF provides culturally sensitive financial education, training and information that empowers First Nations people, regardless of where they fall on the wealth continuum. Analysis conducted by Social Ventures Australia determined that for every $1 AUD invested in FNF programs, $3.20 of social and economic value is created.