State Manager

Australian Department of Social Services; Brisbane; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Australian Department of Social Services in Brisbane is seeking a State Manager to lead the Northern Territory State Office/Queensland State Office, providing strategic direction and operational oversight across community-focused programs.

You will build trusted relationships with government, community organisations, service providers and stakeholders to strengthen service delivery, inform policy development and respond to local needs. Occasional travel will be required.

Qualifications

• Senior leadership experience in government or large public sector.
• Ability to build trusted relationships with government, communities and service providers.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Northern Territory State Office/Queensland State Office with strategic direction and operational oversight.
• Represent the Department in high-level forums and engagements with state/territory government, community leaders and service providers.
• Support the implementation of national initiatives through place-based approaches.
• Collaborate with other State Managers and National Office to share insights and contribute to strategic planning.
• Provide leadership across program areas, ensuring alignment with departmental priorities.
• Foster a positive and inclusive team culture, supporting staff development and wellbeing.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Policy development

People management

Job description

Australian Department of Social Services – Brisbane QLD

State Managers play a critical role in the department’s success in ensuring that government funded programs are delivered effectively to support Australian people and communities. As a State Manager, you will be at the forefront of the department's efforts to improve outcomes for individuals, families and communities across Australia. As a State Manager, you will serve a senior representative in place, building trusted relationships across government, community organisations, service providers, and key stakeholders to strengthen service delivery and inform effective responses to local needs.

Working in partnership with DSS policy owners, you will provide a critical ‘on the ground’ strategic link between communities, stakeholders and the Department. Through active engagement and strong local networks, you will gather and share place-based intelligence to support evidence-based policy development, program design and service delivery outcomes. You will be responsible for identifying emerging issues, trends and opportunities across your jurisdiction, applying a geographical lens to inform departmental priorities and ensure programs are delivering impact on the ground.

Occasional travel will be required.

State Managers play a critical role in the department’s success in ensuring that government funded programs are delivered effectively to support Australian people and communities. As a State Manager, you will be at the forefront of the department's efforts to improve outcomes for individuals, families and communities across Australia. As a State Manager, you will serve a senior representative in place, building trusted relationships across government, community organisations, service providers, and key stakeholders to strengthen service delivery and inform effective responses to local needs.

Working in partnership with DSS policy owners, you will provide a critical ‘on the ground’ strategic link between communities, stakeholders and the Department. Through active engagement and strong local networks, you will gather and share place-based intelligence to support evidence-based policy development, program design and service delivery outcomes. You will be responsible for identifying emerging issues, trends and opportunities across your jurisdiction, applying a geographical lens to inform departmental priorities and ensure programs are delivering impact on the ground.

Occasional travel will be required.

The key duties of the position include:

• lead the Northern Territory State Office/Queensland State Office, providing strategic direction and operational oversight
• represent the Department in high-level forums and engagements with state/territory government, community leaders, community organisations, service providers and other key stakeholders
• support the implementation of national initiatives through place-based approaches
• collaborate with other State Managers and National Office to share insights and contribute to strategic planning
• provide leadership across program areas, ensuring alignment with departmental priorities
• foster a positive and inclusive team culture, supporting staff development and wellbeing
• lead workplace health and safety initiatives in the Northern Territory Office/Queensland State Office, including whole-of-office engagement and leading communications across all staff. Provide pastoral care to co-located teams in the Northern Territory Office/Queensland State Office, overseeing property, corporate and workplace priorities
• take a lead role in the APS Staff Census engagement activities, Reconciliation Action Plan engagement activities, and whole of office events that support diversity, inclusion and cohesion.

Please review the job pack for the full position description.

Getting to know the Department of Social Services

The Department of Social Services (DSS) develops policies and delivers programs that support the lifetime wellbeing of Australians and their families. Our vision is to achieve the best health, wellbeing and safety of all Australians. Our people are critical in delivering the key priorities of DSS. We are seeking candidates that reflect our cultural values of curious, contestability, courage and collaboration.