Executive Director - International Programs

Save the Children; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 250,000 - 350,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Full salary packaging benefits

Individual learning plans

Internal employment and development

Employee Wellbeing Program

Extra leave

Inclusive culture and diversity

Job summary

Save the Children Australia invites an accomplished international development leader to shape the strategy for its international programs, spanning the Pacific, Asia and beyond. You will lead a multi-country portfolio, drive high-impact programs, and advance locally led development while influencing governments, donors and global partners.

The role is based in Melbourne, full-time, and sits on the Executive Leadership Team, guiding growth, partnerships and sustainable funding to expand the

Qualifications

• Proven executive leadership experience leading large, international development portfolios with geographically dispersed teams.
• Strategic thinking with ability to shape enterprise strategy and translate ambition into measurable impact.
• Strong commercial and partnership acumen, securing funding and driving sustainable growth.
• Exceptional influence with governments, donors, boards, partners and media at senior levels.
• Deep international development expertise in Pacific and Asia regions, with locally led development focus.

Responsibilities

• Set the vision and strategy for Save the Children's international programs portfolio across the Pacific, Asia and globally.
• Lead a high-performing portfolio delivering quality, evidence-based programs, humanitarian responses and advocacy outcomes.
• Champion locally led development and strengthen partnerships within the Save the Children movement.
• Drive growth and sustainability by securing strategic funding and expanding donor engagement.
• Provide enterprise leadership, foster a collaborative culture, and represent the organization at national and international forums.

Skills

Executive leadership

Strategic vision

Partnerships & fundraising

Stakeholder influence

International development

Job description

Executive Director - International Programs

Group Executive Director, International Programs

At Save the Children Australia, we’re unapologetic about what we stand for: a world where every child has the chance to thrive. That takes good people, different perspectives and a willingness to tackle some pretty big challenges.

A place to make a difference:

Leading Save the Children Australia's largest portfolio, the Group Executive Director, International Programs delivers $150-200 million in impact across more than 30 countries. Based in Melbourne on a full-time permanent basis, as a member of the Executive Leadership Team, you'll shape what's next for children across the Pacific, Asia and beyond, accelerating our Fearless 2.0 and 2030 ambitions, influencing global priorities across the Save the Children movement, and advancing locally led development through initiatives such as Yumi Lidim to create lasting change for children and communities worldwide.

You will make a difference by:

Setting the vision and strategy for Save the Children's international programs portfolio, shaping priorities, partnerships and impact for children across the Pacific, Asia and globally.

Leading a high-performing portfolio that delivers quality, sustainable and evidence-driven programs, humanitarian responses and advocacy outcomes that create lasting change for children and communities.

Championing locally led development, advancing Pacific leadership through initiatives such as Yumi Lidim while strengthening partnerships across the global Save the Children movement.

Driving growth and sustainability, securing strategic funding partnerships, expanding influence with governments and donors, and ensuring the long-term financial strength of the portfolio.

Providing enterprise leadership, fostering a high-performing and collaborative culture, contributing to organisation-wide strategy, and representing Save the Children at senior national and international forums.

A place to feel valued:

We're seeking an accomplished international development leader with a track record of shaping strategy, leading large multi-country teams, building high-value partnerships, securing sustainable growth, and influencing governments, donors and stakeholders to deliver lasting impact for children across diverse global contexts.

This role requires:

• Proven executive leadership experience leading large, complex international development portfolios and geographically dispersed teams across multiple countries and contexts.
• Strategic vision and execution capability, with a track record of shaping enterprise strategy and translating ambition into measurable impact.
• Strong commercial and partnership acumen, demonstrated through securing major funding, building strategic alliances, and driving sustainable growth.
• Exceptional stakeholder influence and advocacy skills, with the credibility to engage and influence governments, donors, boards, partners and media at the highest levels.
• Deep international development expertise, including significant leadership experience in the Pacific and Asia, with a strong understanding of locally led development, climate resilience and child-focused programming.

A place to belong:

We are diverse personalities, backgrounds and talents, embracing our differences as one strong and united team. We see and celebrate the unique value you bring to our organisation, and offer a range of rewards for your effort, including:

• Full salary packaging benefits
• Individual learning plans to help map and deliver on your career development.
• Internal employment and development opportunities
• Support for workplace wellness, including access to our free, confidential Employee Wellbeing Program
• Extra leave to use in a range of ways to ensure you’re able to perform at your optimum
• Celebrate and feel supported in your diversity. We have a highly inclusive culture and diverse workforce reflecting the communities we serve, allowing you to bring your whole self to work (if that’s what you want!).

Does this sound like the place for you?

We strongly encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates to apply.

For more information about this position, please contact Robyn Lewis, Director of People at ***********@savethechildren.org.au or for more information about a career at Save, visit our Careers Page.

We have tested our application process with diverse groups in mind, with the intent to ensure it's straightforward and accessible for all to apply. Diversity and inclusion are fundamental to our culture and improve our ability to reach our most vulnerable client groups. But we also know there is no one-size fits-all when it comes to recruitment - so if we didn’t quite hit the mark for you, please let us know at **************@savethechildren.org.au. We’re dedicated to ensuring Save the Children Australia is a place where everyone can feel supported – no matter your race, ethnicity, gender, age, disability, sexuality, neurodiversity, culture and beliefs.

Save the Children Australia is a child-safe organisation. All employees are required to undergo a National Police Check, a Working with Children Check, and sign our Child Safeguarding Policy and Code of Conduct. We also support the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme.

Save the Children is committed to providing and maintaining a safe working environment for its employees and client groups, consistent with our obligations under OH&S legislation.

If you are having any issues with uploading your application for this role, please contact **************@savethechildren.org.au for further support.