Schools Engagement Program Leader SA/NT

The Salvation Army; Adelaide; On-site; AUD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

The Salvation Army in Australia is seeking a School Engagement Program Leader – SA/NT, based at DHQ SA, for a max term full-time 12-month role (38 hours per week). The role focuses on forging meaningful school partnerships to advance social justice and community impact.

You will lead workshops, manage relationships with education sector stakeholders, and support fundraising campaigns while ensuring safeguarding and compliance.

Qualifications

• Strong relationship and stakeholder management skills
• Builds rapports easily and effectively with a wide audience, including leadership and youth
• 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

Responsibilities

• 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 National Schools Engagement Team on resource and program development
• 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 campaigns
• Ensure clear and effective communication with school contacts to ensure smooth program operations
• Implement evaluation practices in line with the direction of the national schools engagement team
• 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 risk assessments, and ensure WHS requirements are followed

Skills

Relationship management

Public speaking

Stakeholder management

Communication

Risk management

Child safety orientation

Education

Education/communications degree

Youth work qualification

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Internet

Job description

Number of Positions Available:

1

ABOUT US

The Salvation Army is a Christian movement and one of Australia’s largest and most-loved charities. We believe in doing good that transforms lives and futures for the better. It is this belief which drives us to find new ways and places where we can make a difference. From times of personal crisis to moments of national grief, we are always here — providing support, safety, community, and opportunity.

About the Role:

We are seeking a School Engagement Program Leader – SA/NT , Location – DHQ SA, for a Max Term -Full time (12 months, 38h/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 National 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 national 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, including leadership and youth

• 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/youth work/social work or equivalent skills gained from relevant experience.

• Knowledge of and experience in the education sector

• Education program delivery experience

• 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 at the 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