Schools Engagement Program Leader

The Salvation Army Australia; Adelaide; On-site; AUD 36,000 - 54,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working conditions

Paid parental leave

Employee Assistance Program

Salary packaging (NFP)

Job summary

The Salvation Army Australia is seeking a School Engagement Program Leader – SA/NT, located at DHQ SA, for a max term part-time 12-month contract (22.8 hours per week). This role builds partnerships with schools to foster social justice, compassion, and community impact across Australia.

You will coordinate workshops, manage relationships with education sector stakeholders, support fundraising and campaigns, ensure child safety compliance, and help expand the reach of our school programs while

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualification in education/communications/community development or equivalent.
• Knowledge of the education sector and program management experience.
• Strong communication, stakeholder management and risk awareness.

Responsibilities

• Champion school experiences that empower students to take action.
• Coordinate and deliver school workshops, ensuring safeguarding and evaluation.
• Engage schools in fundraising and campaigns and manage relationships with stakeholders.
• Ensure compliance with working with children and WHS requirements.

Skills

Relationship management

Public speaking

Communication skills

Risk management

Education

Education/communications degree

Community development experience

Tools

Microsoft Office

Office 365

Job description

We are seeking a School Engagement Program Leader – SA/NT , Location – DHQ SA, for a Max Term - Part time (12 months, 22.8 h/week) opportunity.

Purpose of the Role

The purpose of this role is to spark meaningful connections between school communities and the heart of The Salvation Army’s mission, inspiring students to step into social justice, compassion, and community impact. At its core, this role exists to build ongoing partnerships with schools, foster a generation of changemakers, and invite school communities to be involved in our efforts to make a difference and transform lives across Australia.

Key Roles and Responsibilities

As the School Engagement Program Leader, you’ll champion experiences that empower students to understand real‑world issues and take action in their schools and beyond

Relationship Management

• Grow the profile of the Schools Program by networking with the education sector seeking new opportunities
• Promote the work of The Salvation Army and opportunities for engaging with students and teachers
• Develop and maintain relationships with key internal stakeholders, including Area Officers, Corps Officers and Social Program Managers
• Collaborate with the Schools Engagement Team on resource and program development.

Program Coordination

• Coordinate and deliver all components of the school workshops, including face‑to‑face education, administration, safeguarding/WHS and evaluation
• Lead, encourage and support school activation activities and seek and support school engagement in key fundraising and gifts in‑kind campaigns
• Ensure, clear and effective communication with school contacts to ensure smooth program operations.
• Implement evaluation practices in line with the direction of the schools engagement team

Support Communications Portfolio

• Actively recruit schools and students to participate in fundraising, including Red Shield Appeal, and Christmas Appeal activities and events; and keep records
• Actively support with campaign events, including event coordination and attendance
• Participate in wider External Comms activities and campaigns to help achieve goals as required.

Safety compliance

• Ensure all working with children requirements are met including training and checks are always up to date
• Complete a risk assessment for all programs involving children that are led by the Queensland schools engagement
• Ensure all WHS requirements are adhered to regardless of primary responsibility

Education and Qualifications Required

Soft Skills

• Strong relationship and stakeholder management skills
• Builds rapports easily and effectively with a wide audience.
• High level communication skills, both in written correspondence and verbally, including in forums of public speaking
• Excellent risk management capacity and strong child‑safety orientation

Technical Skills

• Tertiary qualification in education/communications/community development social work or equivalent skills gained from relevant experience.
• Knowledge of and experience in the education sector
• Sound project management skills including the ability to manage long term projects
• Strong knowledge of social justice issues
• High level of competency in computer skills with Microsoft Office including Word, Spreadsheets (Excel), Power Point and Internet

Requirements of the role

• Valid driver's license
• Current and valid Working with Children Check
• Criminal History check (police check)

What we offer

• As a registered NFP we offer our eligible employees real and meaningful benefits such as;
• NFP salary packaging ($15,900 tax free) plus meals and entertainment benefit ($2,650)
• Flexible working conditions
• Health, fitness and financial discounts / benefits
• Paid parental leave - 12 weeks
• Up to 8 weeks leave per year through our purchase leave scheme
• Up to 5 days paid leave per year to ‘volunteer’ in a TSA program or activity
• Purpose driven career which has positive social and sustainable outcomes
• Employee Assistance Program - Independent confidential counselling service, opportunity for career development;
• An inclusive culture of dedicated, passionate and professional team members
• Positively supporting and impacting the lives of others through your career contribution .

The Salvation Army is an Equal Opportunity Employer who provides an inclusive work environment and embraces the diverse talent of its people. We value people of all cultures, languages, capacities, sexual orientations, gender identities and/or expressions. We are committed to achieving a diverse workforce and strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islander people.

The Salvation Army is a child safe organisation and is committed to protecting children and young people from harm. All child facing roles will require the successful completion of a Working with Children Check. Applicants for all roles require a mandatory Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check.

We value Integrity, Compassion, Respect, Diversity, and Collaboration