Regional Manager - Community Economic Development

Many Rivers Microfinance; Cairns Regional; Hybrid; AUD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary packaging

Hybrid work arrangements

Professional development

5-day annual conference

Paid leave over Christmas

Job summary

Many Rivers seeks a Regional Manager - Community Economic Development to lead a dispersed team delivering outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across Northern Australia.

You will translate strategy into action, coach leaders, strengthen service quality and ensure communities receive support to achieve economic aspirations. This is a values-driven, purpose-led role with travel across the region.

Qualifications

• Significant experience leading geographically dispersed teams within funded programs or service environments.
• Demonstrated leadership capability including coaching, performance management and workforce planning.
• Strong analytical, critical thinking and problem-solving skills for complex decisions.
• Excellent verbal and written communication to influence, negotiate and document business needs.
• Proven ability to build collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Experience working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and understanding cultural protocols.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team of Community Economic Development Managers to achieve outcomes.
• Build workforce capability through recruitment, onboarding, supervision and development planning.
• Ensure high-quality service delivery across communities with strong governance.
• Foster a positive, connected team culture across dispersed locations.
• Monitor regional performance, analyze trends and ensure funding requirements are met.
• Lead implementation of organisational priorities and continuous improvement.
• Build stakeholder relationships and contribute to leadership and strategy.

Skills

Geographic leadership

People management

Strategic planning

Stakeholder engagement

Job description

Regional Manager - Community Economic Development

People leadership opportunity | Purpose-led organisation | Lead community economic development across Northern Australia

Many Rivers is seeking an experienced, values-driven Regional Manager - Community Economic Development (CED) to lead and support a high-performing team delivering meaningful outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across Northern Australia.

This role is ideal for an accomplished people leader who is passionate about community development, capability building and creating lasting social and economic impact. You will play a critical role in translating strategy into action by developing team capability, driving service quality and ensuring communities receive exceptional support to achieve their economic aspirations.

About Many Rivers

Many Rivers is a national for-purpose organisation providing accessible business development support, community economic development services, pro-bono legal advice and microfinance business loans. Its work helps people build sustainable livelihoods and contribute to stronger local economies.

Guided by Care, Respect and Accountability, Many Rivers creates lasting impact for clients, families and communities across Australia, with a focus on Indigenous Australians and regional, rural and remote communities.

The Opportunity

This role is open to candidates located in Cairns, Townsville or Darwin, with regular travel throughout the region to support team members and engage directly with communities.

Reporting to the Senior Manager Community Economic Development, the Regional Manager - Community Economic Development leads a geographically dispersed team of approximately 10 direct reports (Community Economic Development Managers) across Northern Australia, ensuring high-quality service delivery, strong regional performance and positive community outcomes.

This is a significant people leadership role, with responsibility for coaching, developing and supporting a dispersed workforce operating across regional, rural and remote communities.

You will work closely with other Regional Managers and the broader CED Leadership Team to develop capability, strengthen service quality, implement strategic initiatives and foster a culture of collaboration, accountability and continuous improvement.

This role requires a highly capable people leader who can balance operational delivery with strategic thinking while supporting a team dispersed across regional and remote Australia.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, coach and develop a team of up to 10 Community Economic Development Managers to achieve sustainable community outcomes and organisational objectives.
• Build workforce capability through recruitment, onboarding, supervision, development planning and performance management.
• Ensure high-quality and consistent service delivery across communities, supporting strong governance and economic development outcomes.
• Foster a positive, connected and resilient team culture across a geographically dispersed workforce.
• Monitor regional performance, analyse trends and risks, and ensure contractual, operational and funding requirements are achieved.
• Lead implementation of organisational priorities, change initiatives and continuous improvement activities.
• Build strong internal and external stakeholder relationships and contribute to organisational leadership and strategy.
• Promote a culture of accountability, safety, professionalism and alignment with Many Rivers' values.

About You

• You are an experienced leader with a demonstrated ability to manage geographically dispersed teams, build capability and achieve performance outcomes in complex environments.
• You have strong relationship-building skills, sound judgement and the ability to navigate competing priorities while maintaining a focus on people, performance and community outcomes.
• Most importantly, you are motivated by purpose and committed to supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to achieve their aspirations and create lasting economic opportunities.

Please respond to the Selection Criteria:

• Significant experience leading geographically dispersed teams and delivering performance outcomes within funded programs or service environments.
• Demonstrated leadership capability, including coaching, performance management, workforce planning and team development.
• Strong analytical, critical thinking and problem-solving skills with the ability to make sound decisions in complex situations.
• Highly developed verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to influence, negotiate and prepare quality business documentation.
• Demonstrated ability to build collaborative relationships and work effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
• Experience working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, including an understanding of cultural protocols and community governance.
• Knowledge of Indigenous governance, Native Title, Land Rights and community economic development practices will be highly regarded.
• Strong alignment with Many Rivers' values of Care, Respect and Accountability and commitment to creating positive social and economic outcomes

Why Join Many Rivers?

• Purpose-led work creating meaningful change in communities across Australia.
• Not-for-profit salary packaging and hybrid work arrangements.
• Professional development support and a 5-day annual conference.
• Paid leave between Christmas and New Year.
• Opportunity to lead a talented team and directly contribute to stronger, more resilient communities