Unit Manager I Community Wellbeing

• Provide Leadership to Multiple Community Focussed Teams
• Oversee Support Provided to Thousands of Residents
• Five Year Contract with Exceptional Benefits and Room for Growth

From the foothills to the coast, our city’s reach boasts one of the largest in South Australia. 

Bringing together a diverse and vibrant mix of people and cultures, thriving and innovative businesses and millions of visitors every year, the City of Marion is like no other.

As one of the largest councils in South Australia our multiple operating sites provide a genuine, caring, and positive customer service experience to a significant portion of our community focussed and ageing residents.

We achieve these Community Wellbeing goals through the broad services we provide in our Positive Ageing and Inclusion Team, the community support we foster in our Projects and Partnerships Team, and the many activities and programs we offer in our Neighbourhood Centres.

Our Community Wellbeing Unit includes the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP), Community Transport, Community Development, Neighbourhood Centres, Arts and Culture, Community Grants and Youth, as well as other services and programs relating to the wellbeing of our residents and community.

We now have a rare position on offer for a capable manager to initially focus on leading and enhancing our Positive Ageing and Inclusion team to ensure we provide exceptional service to thousands of residents; as well as lead and empower the variety of community focussed programs within our Projects and Partnerships Team including arts and culture, community development, youth initiatives and grants programs. 

This role is also inclusive of overseeing the management of our four diverse Council run Neighbourhood Centres, however during 2024 this area will be led by a colleague ensuring the successful candidate can focus on key projects within the first year.

Reporting to the Manager Community Connections, you will be accountable for the delivery of services and outcomes that benefits thousands of our residents, and you will provide significant support to key community service areas, initiatives, trends, and opportunities within the wellbeing domain.

As a strategic leader of multiple teams, you will ensure the planning and delivery of services in response to our community and council needs meet our key strategic plans, as well as be proficient and knowledgeable to lead the detailed operations within the teams with a ‘hands on’ approach.

Besides providing strong leadership, in this position there will be a focus on future opportunities and direction to ensure our community is well supported now, and in the decades to come, in relation to our services, programs, facilities and community needs.

Key accountabilities for this dynamic community orientated leadership position includes but is not limited to the following.

• The development and implementation of strategic operational plans for the Positive Ageing and Inclusion team, Neighbourhood Centres Team. and Projects and Partnerships Team within the Community Wellbeing Unit including detailed consideration of multiple variables, funding requirements and/or opportunities, policy and/or funding changes and Council direction.
• Fostering and leading teams to deliver programs and services using contemporary human resource practices including resourcing and recruitment.
• Effectively and innovatively managing multiple work areas financial planning, budget management and reporting, risk management, safety and WHS compliance, and procurement. 
• Managing funding requirements, business case development, team capacity building, evaluation and forecasting of future needs and/or options.
• Reviewing and analysing departmental performance, objectives, and outcomes; identify and report on trends, future options, opportunities, and risk and initiate appropriate responsive strategies.
• Preparing and/or coordinating departmental reports, Council reports, information for briefings, business cases etc.

This opportunity, in one of South Australia’s most progressive councils, requires demonstrable leadership of a diverse team working to deliver a wide range of community focused outcomes requiring strong system and process development, ongoing monitoring, efficiency, workforce planning, work area planning, recruitment, coaching, training, and innovation.

It is expected the ideal candidate will be tertiary qualified in a relevant community services / community development discipline and can demonstrate their ability to plan, develop, manage, and implement creative and innovative community programs from initial conception through to completion including needs-based assessment and evaluation.

Prior experience in program and services should ideally have enriched the lives of residents through creative and innovative practices, including improving social cohesion, strengthening cultural understanding, developing partnerships, supporting active ageing, and fostering arts and cultural understanding within our community.

It is anticipated that this position will evolve over time, noting that the leadership of our neighbourhood centres is currently under alternate management during 2024. This position may also include expansion of accountabilities created by the additional services provided one or more of the teams.

As we adapt to our ageing population, it is preferred candidates will have a proven track record within an Aged Care service environment, due to the detailed working knowledge required to support our CHSP delivery. 

This is a five-year contract position commencing with a base salary of $123,629.00 plus super and exceptional benefits with an enterprise bargaining increase scheduled effective 1 July 2024 that will increase the base. 

(Please Note: This position requires a flexible work schedule. Some out of hours work including some attendance at council meetings will be required. This position requires DHS screening.)

The successful candidate can take advantage of a wide range of benefits not easily found with many other employers in this five-year contract position.

Exceptional Entitlements

• 19 Day Work Month (1 RDO per month)
• Fortnightly Pay
• Annual Salary Increases in accordance with Enterprise Agreements
• Annual Leave Loading
• Annual Leave at Half Pay Option (To extend period of leave)
• Ability to Purchase Annual Leave
• Flexible Parental Leave Entitlements
• Payment of Appropriate Professional Membership Fees
• Highly Affordable Income Protection
• Yearly Corporate Wardrobe Allowance

City of Marion Well-Being Programs

• 24/7 professional, independent, and confidential counselling
• Healthy Lifestyle Programs such as Health assessments, Skin cancer screening; and Body trim programs
• Employee Immunisation Program
• Quit Smoking Program

Exceptional Health Opportunity

• Discounted Platinum Membership to SA Aquatic & Leisure Centre 
  • Unlimited access to all pools and favourable fitness times
  • Ability to sign-up and partake in 150 different fitness classes
  • Sauna and Steam Room
  • Unlimited access to an exceptional gym and modern work-out equipment
  • Guidance by an Equipment Trainer
  • Creche Access
  • Discounts for Family Members

To view the job description, and the mandatory pre-employment declaration form please see www.marion.sa.gov.au/about-council/employment 

Enquiries can be directed to Merran Fyfe, Manager Community Connections on 0417 166 ***

Applications close COB 31 January 2024 and must be submitted through this SEEK advertisement only.

The City of Marion encourages applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, people with disabilities, people who are LGBTQIA+, and people who are culturally and linguistically diverse.