Operations Manager, Victorian Family and Carer Services

Wellways Australia Limited; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 72,000 - 102,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary packaging

Meal & entertainment allowance

Employee assistance program

Job summary

Wellways Australia Limited in Melbourne, Victoria, seeks an experienced Operations Manager to lead the Victorian Family and Carer Services portfolio, including Mental Health and Wellbeing Connect Centres and Family Respite services. This senior role blends strategic direction with hands-on leadership to improve service quality, performance and sustainability.

As a lived experience leadership position, you bring personal experience as a carer or family member to shape person-centred, carer-led

Qualifications

• Personal lived experience as a carer, family member or supporter of someone with mental health challenges or disability.
• Bachelor’s degree in Human Services, Social Work, Business Management or equivalent senior operational leadership experience.
• Demonstrated experience in senior operational roles within community services or related sectors.
• Proven capability leading large-scale or multi-site service operations with balance of quality, performance and finances.
• Experience coaching and developing managers and leaders.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational leadership across Victorian Family and Carer Services portfolio.
• Drive service quality, performance and financial sustainability.
• Oversee compliance, risk management and workforce capability.
• Build partnerships with stakeholders and community organisations.
• Lead service delivery innovation, growth and reform.

Skills

Lived experience

Strategic leadership

Operational leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Change management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Human Services / related discipline

Job description

Wellways is committed to reconciliation, lived experience and inclusivity. We strongly encourage and warmly welcome people from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, people with a lived experience of mental health and disability and people who identify as LGBTIQA+ to apply. Even if you only meet some of the criteria, we’d love to hear from you. Build a rewarding career with an organisation that truly puts people first!

$63.15 ph + superannuation + salary packaging benefits Full time, ongoing opportunity based in Melbourne VIC

About the opportunity

Wellways is seeking an experienced and values-driven Operations Manager to provide strategic and operational leadership across its Victorian Family and Carer Services portfolio, including Mental Health and Wellbeing Connect Centres and Family Respite services. This senior leadership role is responsible for driving service quality, operational performance, financial sustainability and continuous improvement across programs. As a designated lived experience leadership position, the successful candidate must have personal lived experience as a carer, family member or supporter of someone experiencing mental health challenges and/or disability. They will bring together their lived experience and professional expertise to champion family-inclusive, carer-led and person-centred service delivery. Reporting to the Director of Family and Carer Services, the role will lead and develop service delivery leaders, strengthen workforce capability, oversee compliance and risk management, and build strong partnerships with stakeholders and community organisations. The successful candidate will also play a key role in driving service innovation, growth and reform, ensuring Wellways continues to deliver responsive, high-quality support to families and carers across Victoria.

To be successful in this role, you will need:

• Personal lived experience as a carer, family member or supporter of a person experiencing mental health challenges and/or disability, with the ability to purposefully and appropriately draw on this experience in a senior leadership context.
• Bachelor’s degree in Human Services, Social Work, Business Management or a related discipline, or equivalent senior operational leadership experience in complex human services environments.
• Demonstrated experience in senior operational or management roles within community services, disability, health, aged care or related sectors.
• Proven capability leading large-scale or multi-site service operations, balancing service quality, performance, workforce and financial requirements.
• Demonstrated experience leading and supporting managers or senior leaders, including performance management, coaching and building collaborative leadership cultures.
• Strong operational problem‑solving skills, with the ability to identify system and workflow constraints and implement practical, sustainable improvements that enhance carer experience and outcomes.
• Capacity to operate flexibly in a senior leadership role, including participation in out‑of‑hours activities as required.
• Right to work within Australia
• Current valid Driver’s Licence and the ability to undertake some travel
• NDIS Worker Orientation Module Certificate (free online course)
• Satisfactory National Police Records Check
• NDIS Worker Screening Check
• Working with Children’s Check (Employee/Paid)

What we offer

Purpose-Driven Culture: Immerse yourself in a culture where passion meets purpose. Here, you can thrive while making a genuine difference. We hold respect for every individual close to our hearts, and we cherish the unique contributions that each person brings to the table.

Equitable and Inclusive Work Environment: We take pride in fostering a workplace that's not just diverse, but also equitable and socially inclusive. We value the rich tapestry of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives that our team members bring, and we actively promote an atmosphere of inclusion and belonging.

Salary Packaging: Enhance your financial well-being with our salary packaging option, which lets you allocate up to $15,899 of your salary for specific expenses before taxes kick in. This means more financial flexibility for you to allocate funds toward things like rent, mortgage payments, or car leasing.

Meal and Entertainment Allowance: Indulge in the joys of life with our meal and entertainment allowance, available through salary packaging. You can enjoy up to $2,650 per annum to savour delightful meals and experiences with your loved ones, all while saving on taxes.

Employee Assistance Program: We understand that life comes with its challenges, and your well‑being is important to us. As part of our commitment to your holistic health, you and your family have access to our Employee Assistance Program. It’s a supportive resource designed to help you navigate life’s ups and downs with confidence and resilience.

Why us?

Wellways are a team of approximately 2000 staff and 150 volunteers across 93 sites providing a range of programs, services and supports to people right across Queensland, New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory, Victoria and Tasmania. We remain committed to our mission, of creating inclusive communities where everyone can imagine and achieve their hopes and potential; and we are always on the look‑out for like‑minded people who would like to be a part of this.

For a confidential discussion about the role, please contact Rachael Lovelock at [e-mail]

Applications Close 16/11/2026

Wellways Australia Limited is committed to the safeguarding of children and vulnerable people. All applicants applying for roles within Wellways must undergo a screening process prior to their successful appointment.