Youth Development Lead

Talent Propeller Limited; City of Melbourne; On-site; AUD 100,000 - 108,000; Full time

Job summary

Maribyrnong City Council in Melbourne's inner west seeks an experienced Youth Development Lead to guide youth programs and advocate for young people’s voices. You’ll oversee Youth Development Officers and Young Community Advocates, driving innovative activities and community engagement.

The role focuses on leadership, partnership work, and delivering programs that empower diverse youth to participate and shape local services and decisions.

Qualifications

• You will have demonstrated experience in youth development, youth participation, community development or a related field.
• You will have experience leading or coordinating youth programs, projects, events or initiatives.
• You will have demonstrated ability to engage effectively with young people from diverse backgrounds and with varying needs.
• You will have experience providing leadership, guidance or supervision to staff and/or community participants.
• You will have strong knowledge of contemporary youth work practice, youth participation and empowerment approaches.
• You will have demonstrated ability to build effective relationships with young people, community organisations and stakeholders.
• You will have strong communication, advocacy and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support the delivery of contemporary youth development programs, events and activities.
• Provide guidance, supervision and practical support to Youth Development Officers and Young Community Advocates.
• Increase opportunities for young people to participate in community life and leadership.
• Support young people to have a meaningful voice in decisions affecting them and their communities.
• Provide specialist youth development advice, information and support to services and organisations.
• Advocate for young people's involvement in community development and social planning.
• Strengthen partnerships and community connections for young people and families.
• Design, coordinate, deliver and evaluate innovative programs responding to emerging youth needs.

Skills

Youth development

Youth participation

Community development

Staff supervision

Stakeholder engagement

Program management

Communication

Job description

• Band 6 ($99,705 - $108,027) + 12% super + monthly ADO
• Phoenix Youth Centre

About Us

At Maribyrnong City Council, we are committed to creating a connected, inclusive and thriving community where people feel proud to live, work and visit. Located in Melbourne's vibrant inner west, Maribyrnong is one of Victoria's fastest growing municipalities, celebrated for its diversity, creativity and strong sense of community. We are passionate about delivering innovative services and opportunities that support our residents, businesses and visitors now and into the future.

Make a difference in the lives of young people across Maribyrnong!

Are you passionate about creating meaningful opportunities for young people to have their voices heard, participate in their community and build their skills and confidence?

Maribyrnong City Council is seeking an experienced and passionate Youth Development Lead to join our Youth Services and Partnerships team.

This is an exciting opportunity to provide leadership across youth development, participation, advocacy and community engagement, while supporting the delivery of innovative programs, events and activities for young people across the City of Maribyrnong.

The Opportunity

As the Youth Development Lead, you will contribute to building resilience and creating positive outcomes for young people by providing leadership and specialist expertise across youth development and participation.

You will oversee the cohesive delivery of programs, events and activities delivered by Youth Development Officers and lead initiatives that support youth advocacy, decision-making, civic participation and social action.

A key component of the role will be supporting young people to actively participate in the community and ensuring their voices are heard and valued in Council and the broader community.

You will also lead the work of Young Community Advocates and provide hands-on support and guidance to Youth Development Officers within the Youth Services team.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and support the delivery of contemporary youth development programs, events and activities.
• Provide guidance, supervision and practical support to Youth Development Officers and Young Community Advocates.
• Increase opportunities for young people to participate in community life, civic participation and leadership.
• Support young people to have a meaningful voice in decisions that affect them and their communities.
• Provide specialist youth development advice, information and support to services, agencies and community organisations.
• Advocate for young people's involvement in community development and social planning across the municipality.
• Strengthen partnerships and community connections for young people, their families and significant others.
• Provide information, advocacy, referrals and assistance to young people and families.
• Design, coordinate, deliver and evaluate innovative programs and events in response to emerging youth needs.
• Maintain strong program management, planning, evaluation and reporting practices.

About You

You will be an experienced youth development professional who is passionate about creating positive outcomes for young people.

You will have:

• Demonstrated experience in youth development, youth participation, community development or a related field.
• Experience leading or coordinating youth programs, projects, events or initiatives.
• Demonstrated ability to engage effectively with young people from diverse backgrounds and with varying needs.
• Experience providing leadership, guidance or supervision to staff and/or community participants.
• Strong knowledge of contemporary youth work practice, youth participation and empowerment approaches.
• Demonstrated ability to build effective relationships and partnerships with young people, community organisations, services and other stakeholders.
• Strong communication, advocacy and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent organisational, program management and time management skills.
• The ability to identify emerging issues and develop creative and practical responses.

Why Choose Maribyrnong?

• Engage in a meaningful role within a Values driven organisation;
• Work across many functions in a friendly, supportive and professional multidisciplinary team;
• Be part of a flexible and inclusive work environment;

Closing Date: Sunday 11 October 2026 - 10pm.

Maribyrnong City Council (Council) is committed to the safety and wellbeing of children and young people and to operating in a manner that complies with its obligations under the Child Wellbeing and Safety Act 2005 and the Victorian Child Safe Standards. Council promotes an organisational culture that embeds within it child safe practices and expects its staff to perform their roles and engage with the community in a manner that is consistent with its child safe practices. To guide expected standards of child safe behaviours of all staff, Council has a Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy.

As part of the appointment process, Council may undertake appropriate child safety pre-screening checks of candidates in accordance with Council Child Safety policies and procedures where appropriate. This may include asking child safety-related questions during interview, conducting relevant checks of the candidate's prior contact with children in employment and/or requiring proof of a valid Working With Children Check prior to commencement.

Council welcomes applications from all interested candidates including from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people from culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds and people with disabilities. Council's recruitment process will be reasonably adapted to ensure all candidates have equitable access to Council's recruitment process and job opportunities.