Program Manager - Community Services

Why join Youturn?

• Flexibility: Enjoy work-life balance with this permanent full time role, offering flexibility for negotiating start/finish times, tailoring your career to your lifestyle! 
• Benefits & Leave: Recharge with pro-rata (up to 5-days) paid wellness leave each year and enjoy additional benefits including corporate fitness discounts.  Gain access to a wide range of exclusive offers across various retailers through our partnership with Rewards Gateway!  Unlock 12-weeks paid parental leave benefits after just one year of dedicated service.  
• Salary Packaging: Maximise your income by increasing your take home pay with an annual salary plus Superannuation, plus a generous $15,900 salary package and annual leave loading! 
• Culture & Values: Supporting young people in their time of need, is at the heart of what we do at Youturn.  Our organisational culture is built on trusting relationships that are meaningful and inclusive. We listen to understand, we embrace diversity and we offer a safe space free from judgement.  
  To ensure our young people receive individualised support, we invest in team members who embody our values to foster a collaborative culture of excellence.

About us

Youturn is a national not-for-profit which delivers Health and Community Services to vulnerable people of all ages across Australia. Trusted to deliver safe, inclusive, and supportive programs, Youturn ensures that those we support can have access to secure and affordable housing and enjoy optimal mental well-being, allowing them to thrive and live a healthy, meaningful life.

The opportunity

The Program Manager – Community Services is responsible for leading comprehensive service delivery across Child Safety, Homelessness and Community Services in the Toowoomba region. The role encompasses strategic management, operational oversight, leadership and tender management to ensure high-quality service delivery that aligns with organisational goals and meets regulatory requirements.

Some of your key responsibilities will include:

Service Delivery 

• Provide direct line management and support to the Community Services team under the guidance of the General Manager – Community Services.
• Ensuring that vulnerable people, and those who support them, are at the centre of the organisation’s service delivery.
• Managing the provision of crisis intervention and accommodation, support and quality welfare services for vulnerable people and families with an identified need.
• Responsible for overseeing the referral of vulnerable people and families to other funded and nonfunded services in the community to assist in managing their barriers to gaining sustainable accommodation.
• Providing high level support and assistance to families and individuals who are sleeping rough and have been identified as needing case management and homelessness intervention. 
• Providing extensive contribution to the development and management of internal and external service delivery and regulatory compliance frameworks including budgetary management and the compilation of statutory and organisational reports.
• Overseeing other community focused programs.

Leadership and Development

• Develop and implement strategic priorities and operational plans in collaboration with the General Manager and relevant stakeholders.
• Manage and coordinate tender processes for new projects and contracts, ensuring alignment with strategic goals and compliance with procedural standards.
• Oversee program budgets, resource allocation, and compliance frameworks, ensuring financial health and operational efficiency.
• Provide direct line management, mentoring, and support to teams, enhancing professional development and operational effectiveness.
• Drive workforce planning, ensuring the recruitment and retention of skilled staff reflective of cultural diversity and service requirements.
• Foster a culture of excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement within all team members.

Engagement, Management and Compliance

• Ensure high-quality service delivery based on client-centred case management principals across all program areas.
• Coordinate the provision of services to young people, families, and individuals, ensuring effective case management and support frameworks.
• Maintain and review operational guidelines, policies, and procedures to ensure compliance with all licensing, regulatory, and contractual obligations.
• Engage with key stakeholders including funding bodies, community partners, and government agencies to develop effective relationships and advocate for client needs.
• Participate in sector forums, contributing to the development of Community Services practices and policies.
• Identify growth and service delivery opportunities and oversee the relevant project management in conjunction with the General Manager.
• Prepare comprehensive reports on program outcomes, service delivery metrics, and statutory requirements.
• Manage the tender process, from the preparation of bids to the negotiation and finalisation of contracts, ensuring compliance with all statutory and organizational guidelines.
• Ensure accurate data recording and compliance with funding and legislative requirements.

Essential Criteria

• Tertiary qualifications in Community Services, Social Work, Human Services, Psychology, or a related field.
• Extensive senior leadership experience in managing complex service delivery environments, preferably within public or community sector organisations.
• Demonstrated experience in financial management, strategic planning, team leadership and business development.
• In-depth knowledge of child protection legislation, homelessness services, and community support frameworks.
• Experience in tender management, including overseeing bid submissions and contract negotiations.
• Hold a current ‘C’ class open driver licence.
• Must hold a Blue Card issued by the Queensland Department of Justice and Attorney-General
• Hold, or be eligible to apply for, a Suitability Check issued by the Queensland Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services.

Other Requirements

• Maintain an open-minded and flexible approach to the work whilst maintaining the best practice principles contained within the Code of Conduct, policies and procedures of Youturn.
• Attend and participate in training and professional development relevant to Youturn as agreed with the Program Manager.
• From time to time, Youturn may require you to work in areas that are not your normal work areas and perform functions that are outside of your usual duties. Youturn may require you to do this so long as you have the skills and training to perform the functions that are outside of your normal work areas or usual duties.

We’d love to meet you!
If you have the skills, experience and passion to fit our team, please take the next step and apply by submitting your resume and cover letter.

For everyone who shares our passion
We encourage applications from people of all ages, nationalities, abilities and cultures – including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, the LGBTQI+ community and people living with disability.