Manager, Counselling, Safety and Wellbeing

Southern Cross University; University (FL); On-site; USD 86,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Superannuation benefits

Job summary

Southern Cross University invites applications for the role of Manager, Counselling, Safety & Wellbeing. You will lead the Stay Well team, delivering counselling, safety and wellbeing services across the university with a trauma-informed, stepped-care approach to support student outcomes.

This role requires registered clinical qualifications and demonstrated leadership; you will strengthen governance, manage complex cases, and drive continuous service improvement while providing direct support

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualification with current professional registration.
• Leadership experience in counselling/mental health or wellbeing services.
• Experience supervising practitioners and supporting professional development.
• Strong understanding of stepped-care or short-term intervention models.
• Experience managing quality, compliance, safeguarding and service performance.

Responsibilities

• Leading and developing a multidisciplinary counselling, safety and wellbeing team, including supervision and professional development
• Strengthening team performance and culture following organisational change
• Providing direct counselling and crisis support (up to 20%), focusing on complex or high-risk cases
• Embedding a stepped-care, short term service model that supports triage, referral and student progression
• Ensuring strong clinical governance, risk management and evidence-based practice across services

Skills

Leadership

Counselling

Crisis support

Stepped-care

Clinical governance

Education

Degree in psychology/counselling/social work

Job description

Manager, Counselling, Safety and Wellbeing

• Lead and develop a high-performing counselling safety and wellbeing team
• Deliver high-quality stepped-care services that support student outcomes
• Shape safe, evidence-based, trauma informed services across the university

Be Bold. Belong. Be More.

At Southern Cross University, we do things differently, and so can you.

A career with us is more than you might expect. Yes, it’s about the heart, connectedness and community you’d hope for in a regional university. But there’s also so much more. Our game changing Southern Cross Model brings a deeper, focused learning experience and our research is deeply connected to our regions, making a difference on a global scale. This is your chance to help us build something new and meaningful for our students, our communities and your career. To drive change, make a real impact, and thrive in a place as unique as you.

You can be good anywhere. Here, you can be great.

Your opportunity

The Stay Well team at Southern Cross University delivers vital services that support student safety, wellbeing and engagement across the University. Working within the Vice President Students and Registrar portfolio, the team plays a critical role in improving student success, retention and overall experience.

As Manager, Counselling, Safety & Wellbeing, you will lead the Student Counselling, Safety & Wellbeing team, overseeing the delivery and continuous improvement of counselling, safety and wellbeing services across the University.

This role requires strong clinical credibility, professional registration and experienced leadership. The team has recently completed a significant period of review and change, and this position will play a key role in strengthening team capability, stabilising service delivery, and embedding sustainable practices.

You will balance compassionate support with a structured, stepped-care service model that prioritises triage, short term intervention and appropriate referral pathways to support positive student outcomes.

You will make an impact by:

• Leading and developing a multidisciplinary counselling, safety and wellbeing team, including supervision and professional development
• Strengthening team performance and culture following organisational change
• Providing direct counselling and crisis support (up to 20%), focusing on complex or high-risk cases
• Embedding a stepped-care, short term service model that supports triage, referral and student progression
• Ensuring strong clinical governance, risk management and evidence-based practice across services

What you will bring

You’re an experienced, registered clinical professional with the leadership capability to guide teams, manage complexity and deliver high-quality wellbeing services. You bring a balanced approach that combines compassionate care with accountability, structured service delivery and strong professional standards.

You are confident leading teams through change, setting clear expectations and supporting staff to deliver timely, student-centred support within a well-governed service model.

To succeed in this role, you will also need:

• A tertiary qualification in psychology, counselling or social work, with current professional registration with a recognised professional body is essential
• Leadership experience within counselling, mental health, or wellbeing services
• Experience supervising practitioners and supporting professional development
• Strong understanding of stepped-care or short-term intervention models, triage and referral pathways
• Experience managing quality, compliance, safeguarding and service performance

Why Southern Cross University

SCU is proudly a regional university, young, small and vibrant. That means you’ll find more exposure, opportunity and ownership - to grow, achieve and build a career that means more. And you’ll do it alongside passionate people and leaders who go the extra mile to help you succeed.A career with us is about more than just work. It’s about place, community and the life you want to live. With three main campuses at the Gold Coast , Coffs Harbour and the Northern Rivers region of NSW, we’re integral to all these wonderful communities. Find your place and be more in this beautiful part of the world.

Your opportunity is:

• Full-time, continuing (permanent)
• Located at Gold Coast, QLD 4225. Relocation assistance is available, making it easier to join our regional community.
• HEW Level 8. The base salary ranges from $ 124,379 - $137,149 per annum, plus 17% employer’s contribution to superannuation. The total remuneration package is up to $160,464.

You will enjoy a range of perks designed to support your wellbeing, growth and work-life balance. For more information on our benefits and what it’s like to work at SCU, visit Why work at Southern Cross University?

Be more with Southern Cross University today

Southern Cross University values potential as much as experience. If you do not meet all the listed requirements but are excited about the role and confident you can contribute, we encourage you to apply or reach out for more information.

Eligible applicants must have Australian or New Zealand citizenship, Australian permanent residency or current working rights in Australia for the entire duration of the appointment. Employer visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Applicants must apply online and attach a CV and cover letter responding to the selection criteria within the position description. Information to support you prepare your application is available on our website.

Southern Cross University celebrates the rich diversity of our regions and international community. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace that welcomes and values people of all backgrounds. We encourage applications from people of all genders, ethnicities, ages, languages, sexual orientations, and people with disabilities. We are dedicated to providing reasonable adjustments to our recruitment process to ensure every candidate can fully participate.For any support through the recruitment process reach out to [e-mail].