Program Manager

Iaawg; Darwin; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 142,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Not-for-profit salary packaging

Counselling and chaplaincy support

Fitness Passport

Volunteering opportunities

Extra leave

Job summary

Mission Australia is seeking an experienced Program Manager to lead four vital services across Darwin, including TSP, MASA, HYPP and TSCS. You will oversee a team of 11, ensuring high quality, compliant, person-centred services that improve outcomes for vulnerable individuals and families.

You will manage budgets, stakeholder relationships and service performance in an on-site role, contributing to sustainable housing outcomes and community impact in the Darwin region.

Qualifications

• Relevant qualifications in Social Work, Human Services or related discipline, or significant equivalent experience.
• Demonstrated leadership experience with supervision, coaching and staff development.
• Strong understanding of tenancy and property management principles or related housing support.
• Sound financial management including budgeting, reporting and monitoring performance.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement across government, community and internal teams.
• Knowledge of Specialist Homelessness Services and Territory funding environments.
• High cultural competency with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in Darwin.
• Full driver licence with no restrictions.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coach a team of 11 direct reports through supervision, performance reviews and development planning.
• Oversee delivery of four programs: TSP, MASA, HYPP and TSCS with funding compliance and service standards.
• Manage program budgets, financial reporting and expenditure within funding.
• Escalation point for complex client matters and case planning.
• Develop and maintain relationships with government agencies, ACCOs and community organisations.
• Ensure properties, facilities and WHS requirements are monitored and managed per policies.
• Lead service improvements, workforce planning and community engagement.

Skills

Leadership

Staff development

Budget management

Stakeholder engagement

Communication

Change management

Education

Social Work / Human Services degree

Job description

• Permanent Full Time Contract
• Location: Garramilla (Darwin) NT 0800
• Salary: $123,782 + super + NFP salary packaging benefits
• Make a meaningful difference to the lives of Australians in need

Life at Mission Australia When you join the team at Mission Australia, you become part of a community who are determined to end homelessness and ensure people in need can thrive. United by our Christian purpose and values, we advocate for a fairer Australia, to meet the growing needs of people across the country. Together we’re building hope and possibility for all. Find out more about us and our purpose.

Your Opportunity

Mission Australia is seeking an experienced and community focused Program Manager to lead the delivery of four vital services across Darwin, including the Tenancy Sustainability Program (TSP), Mission Australia Supported Accommodation (MASA), Housing for Young People Program (HYPP) and Tailored Support Coordination Service (TSCS). Working closely with an established team of 11 direct reports, you will provide leadership, operational oversight and strategic direction to ensure high quality, compliant and person-centred services that create positive outcomes for vulnerable individuals and families. As a key member of the leadership team, this is an on-site position where you will oversee program performance, financial management, stakeholder engagement, service quality and team development across a diverse portfolio. You will play a critical role in strengthening community connections, supporting sustainable housing outcomes and ensuring services are responsive to the needs of the Darwin community. Drawing on your leadership capability, local knowledge and commitment to social impact, you will foster a culture of accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement while supporting your team to deliver meaningful outcomes every day.

Your Key Responsibilities

• Lead, coach and support a team of 11 direct reports through effective supervision, performance reviews, development planning and workforce management.
• Oversee the delivery and performance of the Tenancy Sustainability Program, Mission Australia Supported Accommodation, Housing for Young People Program and Tailored Support Coordination Service, ensuring compliance with funding requirements, contractual obligations and service standards.
• Manage program budgets, financial reporting, monthly reporting requirements and expenditure to ensure services operate effectively and within allocated funding.
• Act as the escalation point for complex client matters, providing oversight of case management, case conferencing, risk management and service planning.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with government agencies, ACCOs, community organisations and key stakeholders to strengthen service delivery and community outcomes.
• Ensure all properties, facilities, work health and safety requirements, maintenance activities and operational risks are monitored and managed in line with organisational policies and procedures.
• Lead service improvement initiatives, workforce planning, rostering, recruitment activities and community engagement opportunities that promote positive outcomes for clients and the wider community.

Requirements for Success

• Relevant qualifications in Social Work, Human Services or a related discipline, or significant equivalent experience, together with resilience, adaptability and a genuine commitment to supporting vulnerable people with dignity and respect.
• Demonstrated leadership experience with the ability to supervise, coach and develop staff, including supporting employees through performance management and change.
• Strong understanding of tenancy and property management principles, including lease agreements and housing related support services.
• Sound financial management capability, including budget oversight, reporting and monitoring program performance against targets.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills with the ability to adapt your approach across government departments, community organisations, clients and internal teams.
• Strong knowledge of Specialist Homelessness Services, housing support programs and community development approaches, with an understanding of Territory and national funding environments.
• High level cultural competency, including established local knowledge of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, ACCOs and key stakeholders within the Darwin region.
• Full driver licence with no restrictions

Your Benefits

To ensure our employees feel valued, empowered, and celebrated, we provide a range of employee benefits including:

• Rewarding work – every day you know you’re making a real difference
• Not-for-profit salary packaging, reducing your tax (details via AccessPay)
• Free external, confidential counselling and access to chaplaincy support
• Fitness Passport
• Volunteering opportunities
• Opportunity to purchase additional annual leave
• Extra leave including: Mission Australia Thank You Day & Work Anniversary Day off

Our Culture

Our innovative and inclusive culture will ensure you feel valued at Mission Australia as you help Australians in need and develop in your career.

We prioritise the safety and wellbeing of everyone, both within our team and the individuals we serve.

We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive working environment.

We actively support and encourage people of all backgrounds; gender, age, ethnicity, race, cultural background, disability, religion, and sexual orientation to submit an application and aim to ensure that the recruitment and employee experience is as accessible and inclusive as possible.

So, whoever you are, if you’re skilled and actively support our purpose and values, you would be welcome at Mission Australia.

If you live with disability and require support to submit your application, please email [e-mail] or visit our Careers page for additional contact details.

We strongly encourage applications from people who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.

For culturally safe support or assistance with your application, please contact us at [e-mail]

Find out more about a career with Mission Australia.

As a committed Circle Back Initiative employer, we will respond to your application.

Mission Australia is a national Christian charity motivated by a shared vision of an Australia where everyone has a safe home and can thrive. Since 1859, we’ve been standing alongside people in need across Australia, offering real hope that has lasting impact. Backed by our supporters, churches, partners, and funders, we work together for the long-term wellbeing of anyone who needs us, reflecting our values of respect, compassion, integrity, perseverance and celebration. We collaborate with people experiencing homelessness or disadvantage to tackle the root causes of their challenges through providing access to safe, affordable homes and innovative, evidence-based support services.

Every day we deliver homelessness crisis and prevention services, provide social and affordable housing, assist struggling families and children, address mental health issues, fight substance dependencies, support people with disability and much more.

Mission Australia believes a person’s circumstances shouldn’t define their future and that given the right support, everyone can reach their full potential. That’s why we stand together with Australians in need, until they can stand for themselves.

Learn more about Mission Australia and our purpose.