State Program & Engagement Coordinator

CREATE Foundation; Parramatta; On-site; AUD 106,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Extra Time Off

Salary Packaging

Flexibility

Supportive team culture

Milestone recognition

Wellbeing Support

Growth opportunities

Job summary

CREATE Foundation is seeking a State Program & Engagement Coordinator to lead NSW state programs and engagement activities. You will provide leadership to state-based staff, ensure safe, high-quality program delivery and build strong relationships with children, young people and sector partners across NSW.

You’ll work with national teams to support consultation, advocacy and system-wide improvements, balancing hands-on delivery with leadership in a dynamic community service environment.

Qualifications

• Leadership experience in community/youth or social service programs
• Experience planning, delivering and evaluating funded or compliance-based programs
• Strong engagement and communication with children, young people and sector partners
• Knowledge of trauma-informed practice and child safety principles
• Ability to manage competing priorities and exercise judgement in complex settings

Responsibilities

• Lead the coordination and delivery of state-based programs and engagement activities across NSW
• Provide leadership, supervision and support to state-based staff and set priorities
• Identify and manage program, individual and workplace risks in line with child safety and WHS requirements
• Build culturally safe relationships with children and young people through face-to-face and digital engagement
• Support meaningful participation by children and young people in advocacy activities
• Maintain relationships with out-of-home care stakeholders, government and non-government organizations
• Ensure accurate data collection, recording and reporting across programs
• Collaborate with national teams to share learning and ensure program consistency

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Trauma-informed practice

People management

Strategic planning

Education

Tertiary qualifications in Social Science / Human Services / Psychology / Sociology / Communications / Event Management

Job description

Join CREATE Foundation and lead meaningful programs that amplify the voices of children and young people with a care experience.

Permanent full time | Parramatta, NSW | SCHADS Award Level 5 + Super + Salary packaging + CREATE Perks, salary range $105,570 - $110,350p.a.

We're looking for a State Program & Engagement Coordinator to lead the coordination and delivery of CREATE's programs and engagement activities across NSW. This is a key leadership role responsible for program quality, risk management, team coordination and strong relationships with children and young people, sector partners and CREATE colleagues.

About the role

As the State Program & Engagement Coordinator, you'll lead the planning, coordination and delivery of CREATE's state-based programs and engagement activities in NSW.

You’ll provide leadership to state‑based staff, ensure programs are delivered safely and consistently, maintain and build relationships with external stakeholders, and support children and young people to connect, participate and have their voices heard in culturally responsive and trauma‑informed ways.

You’ll also work closely with CREATE’s national teams, including Advocacy, to support consultation and engagement activities that inform system‑level change.

This role suits someone who enjoys balancing leadership with hands‑on delivery, brings strong judgement and organisation skills, and is confident working in complex community and youth service environments.

In this role, you’ll:

• Lead the coordination and delivery of CREATE's state programs and engagement activities, ensuring quality, consistency and continuous improvement
• Provide leadership, supervision and support to state-based staff, including setting priorities and managing workflows
• Ensure program, individual and workplace risks are identified and managed in line with child safety and WHS requirements
• Build and maintain respectful, culturally safe relationships with children and young people through face-to-face and digital engagement
• Support meaningful participation by children and young people in state and national advocacy activities
• Maintain strong relationships with out-of-home care sector stakeholders, including government and non-government organisations
• Ensure accurate data collection, record‑keeping and reporting across programs and engagement activities
• Work collaboratively with national teams to support shared learning, program consistency and advocacy outcomes

About you

You’re a thoughtful and capable leader who brings a trauma‑informed, child‑safe lens to everything you do. You’re comfortable making decisions, guiding others, and managing competing priorities in a dynamic environment.

You’ll bring:

• Relevant tertiary qualifications in Social Science, Human Services, Psychology, Sociology, Communications, Event Management or a related field, combined with relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of qualifications, training and substantial experience performing a similar role.
• Demonstrated experience leading or coordinating community, youth or social service programs, including planning, delivery, evaluation and continuous improvement within a funded or compliance‑based environment.
• Demonstrated leadership capability, including experience supervising or supporting staff, setting priorities, managing workflows and contributing to the achievement of organisational goals and quality standards.
• Sound understanding of trauma‑informed practice, child development and the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations, with the ability to apply these principles to program delivery, engagement and risk management in practice.
• Strong engagement and communication skills, with demonstrated ability to build culturally safe, respectful relationships with children and young people, including those with a care experience, and to support their meaningful participation and voice.
• Demonstrated experience working collaboratively with sector stakeholders, including government and non-government organisations, and contributing insights that inform advocacy, consultation or system improvement activities.
• Strong organisational, judgement and problem‑solving skills, including the ability to manage competing priorities, exercise initiative where direction is not clearly defined, and ensure accurate data collection, reporting and accountability.
• A current Working with Children Check and driver's licence
• Full working rights in Australia

At CREATE, we value lived experience, cultural knowledge and community connection, and the insight these bring to our work. If you don't meet every requirement for the role but feel you can contribute through lived experience, cultural knowledge or other non-formal pathways, we encourage you to apply and tell us more in your selection criteria responses.

Why you'll love working at CREATE

We don't just talk about making a difference, we live it! At CREATE, you'll be part of a values-driven organisation that genuinely centres around the voices of children and young people.

Here's what you can look forward to:

• Extra Time Off: Enjoy bonus leave days over the festive season + a day off for your birthday!
• Salary Packaging: Increase your take home more pay with NFP benefits.
• Flexibility: Work arrangements that support real life.
• Supportive team culture: Connected, collaborative and people-first
• Milestone recognition: Rewards of up to $3,000 as you grow with CREATE
• Wellbeing Support: Free, confidential Employee Assistance Program for you and your family.
• Growth: From induction to career development, we'll back your success with tangible professional development opportunities.

About us

CREATE Foundation is the national consumer body for children and young people with an out-of-home care experience. We support young people aged 0-25 to connect, build confidence, and influence the care system so it works better for them.

Our advocacy is centred on system-level change, informed by the voices and experiences of young people, to influence policy and practice change across the out of home care system

CREATE is an equal-opportunity employer committed to equity, diversity, and social inclusion. We value each individual's unique contribution, and we strongly encourage applications from First Nation peoples, individuals with a care experience, and those from diverse backgrounds.

We can't wait to hear from you!

Please note: You must have full working rights within Australia to be eligible for this role