Operations Manager, Youth Pathways

Junction Australia; Adelaide; On-site; AUD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary sacrifice benefits

You are Amazing Day

NAIDOC Day

Flexible work environment with paidPar

Harvey Norman discounts

Corporate health insurance

Annual flu vaccinations

Job summary

Junction Australia seeks an Operations Manager for Youth Pathways to provide strategic and operational leadership across SILS and SPC programs. You will lead a team of Youth Pathways Coordinators and Coaches, ensuring high-quality support and housing pathways for young people transitioning from care or experiencing homelessness.

You will drive placement matching, staff development, and strengthen partnerships with government, community, and Aboriginal organisations, guiding safeguarding and

Qualifications

• Must have degree or tertiary qualification in Social Work, Psychology, Human Services or related discipline (or substantial relevant experience).
• Current Working with Children Check (WWCC) or willingness to obtain.
• Senior First Aid Certificate.
• Safe Environments Certificate.
• Current driver’s license and willingness to drive.
• Willingness to undertake TCI training within six months.

Responsibilities

• Oversee operation, expansion and continuous improvement of Youth Pathways programs (SILS and SPC).
• Lead referral, readiness assessment and housing placement matching with stakeholders.
• Provide leadership, supervision and development for Youth Pathways staff.
• Build partnerships with government, community and Aboriginal organisations to improve outcomes for young people.
• Lead safeguarding, risk management and quality improvement initiatives.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Workforce development

Budget management

Trauma-informed practice

Child protection

Cultural competence

Education

Degree in Social Work / Human Services / Psychology

Job description

Social, Community, Home Care & Disability Services Award - Level 7

Operations Manager, Youth Pathways

About Us

We are a growing and innovative social enterprise supporting around 10,000 South Australians each year through housing and community services. Seeking opportunities to build positive pathways and connected thriving communities, we are one of the few South Australian organisations offering an integrated model of housing and support. Together, we are committed to effecting long-term positive change for those we work with and the communities we work in.

Together, we are improving lives and building strong, resilient, and connected communities.

Shape the Future of Youth Pathways

As the Operations Manager, Youth Pathways, you will provide strategic and operational leadership across Junction's Supported Independent Living Service (SILS) and Stability Post Care (SPC) programs. Leading a team of Youth Pathways Coordinators and Coaches, you will play a critical role in ensuring young people transitioning from care, and those experiencing or at risk of homelessness, receive high-quality support, safe housing pathways and opportunities to thrive.

Supporting services across metropolitan Adelaide, this role provides leadership and oversight across all Youth Pathways regions. The position is primarily based at our Tonsley and Salisbury locations, including Junction's Tiny Homes Campuses, and requires regular travel between sites to support staff, young people and service outcomes.

Working closely with the Executive Manager Child, Family & Community Services, Department for Child Protection (DCP), Housing & Place teams, and key external stakeholders, you will champion Junction's unique place-first approach and drive positive outcomes for young people across both campus and community settings.

This is more than a leadership role. It's an opportunity to:

• Lead innovative youth housing and support services: Oversee the operation, expansion and continuous improvement of the Youth Pathways program, ensuring services deliver high-quality outcomes, remain compliant, and respond to the evolving needs of young people.
• Drive placement matching and successful transitions: Lead referral, readiness assessment and matching processes, working closely with young people, DCP, Housing & Place and Aboriginal Cultural Advisors to ensure the right young people are connected to the right housing opportunities.
• Develop people and build capability: Provide leadership, supervision and professional development to Youth Pathways Coordinators and teams, fostering a reflective, high-performing and values-driven culture.
• Strengthen partnerships and influence outcomes: Build strong relationships with government, community and Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations, leading operational partnerships and advocating for positive outcomes for young people.
• Champion quality, safeguarding and continuous improvement: Lead risk management, child safeguarding responses, quality improvement initiatives and service development opportunities that strengthen Junction's impact and future growth.

We're looking for a passionate and experienced leader who combines strong operational management capability with a commitment to trauma-responsive practice, youth development and social justice. If you're motivated by creating sustainable pathways to independence for young people, we'd love to hear from you.

What We Offer:

• Generous salary sacrifice benefits
• A You are Amazing Day – an extra day of paid leave to spend however you want
• A NAIDOC Day - an extra day of paid leave to attend NAIDOC celebrations
• A supportive, flexible work environment with paid parental leave and a strong focus on staff wellbeing
• Access to wholesale prices on selected products at Harvey Norman
• Access To Corporate Health Insurance and Annual Flu Vaccinations

Our Ideal Candidate:

We are seeking a highly capable professional who:

• Has demonstrated leadership experience managing teams and delivering services for young people experiencing vulnerability, homelessness, out-of-home care, or complex life circumstances.
• Possesses strong stakeholder engagement skills and can build effective relationships with government agencies, community partners and internal teams.
• Has experience leading workforce development, supervision, coaching and reflective practice.
• Demonstrates strong operational, financial and resource management capability, including workforce planning and budget oversight.
• Has a sound understanding of trauma-responsive practice, youth development and strengths-based coaching approaches.
• Understands the child protection, homelessness and youth services sectors, including relevant legislative and contractual requirements.
• Demonstrates cultural competence and a commitment to working in a culturally safe and inclusive way, particularly with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
• Holds a Degree or tertiary qualification in Social Work, Psychology, Human Services or a related discipline (or a lesser qualification supported by substantial relevant experience).

You Will Need To:

• Complete our online application process.
• Hold a current Working with Children Check (WWCC) or be willing to obtain one prior to commencement.
• Hold a current Senior First Aid Certificate.
• Hold a current Safe Environments Certificate.
• Hold a current unencumbered Australian driver's licence and be willing to drive.
• Be willing to undertake Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) training within six months of commencement.
• Participate in professional supervision and ongoing professional development.
• Be willing to undertake some out-of-hours work and participate in an on-call roster, where required.

Applications close at 5:00pm on Sunday, 8 November 2026. We encourage early applications, as the position may be filled and advertising closed prior to the closing date.

Junction is an equal opportunity employer that embraces a culture of diversity. We encourage applications from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, people with disability, and people from every culture, gender and sexuality identity, age and ethnic background. Junction is committed to being a Child Safe organisation and has zero tolerance for child and family abuse.