Director - Programs, Strategy and Capability (Identified Role)

First Nations Foundation Limited; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

The Director – Programs, Strategy and Capability at First Nations Foundation Limited is a senior leadership role within the Executive Team, reporting to the CEO. You will shape national programs, build capability, ensure cultural safety and measurable impact, and steward budgets and partnerships to deliver scalable outcomes.

You will lead the Education and Training Team, drive strategy, risk and compliance, and engage with community, funders and government to advance financial wellbeing for

Qualifications

• Senior leadership experience in not-for-profit or social impact setting.
• Experience with budgets, compliance and outcomes reporting.
• Strong stakeholder credibility with community, funders and government.

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

Skills

Senior leadership

Strategy development

Budget management

Stakeholder management

Emotional intelligence

Job description

Director - Programs, Strategy and Capability (Identified Role)

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.