Youth and Schools Manager

About the Western Bulldogs Community Foundation

More than just a football club, the Western Bulldogs has a long-standing history as the community club of the AFL. The Western Bulldogs Community Foundation is the club’s community arm that utilises the trusted brand of our football club to deliver life changing programs. At its’ core the Foundation delivers demonstrated impact in the areas of health and wellbeing, youth leadership, cultural diversity, social inclusion and community advocacy. 

Across Melbourne and Victoria’s west, we reach over 20,000 community members each year including direct capacity building for over 4,000 participants in our targeted programs. This critical work is underpinned by a whole of Club commitment that is strongly supported by all three levels of government and a range of corporate and community partners. Our programs are independently and academically evaluated to ensure we meet the ever-changing needs of our community, and we are always evolving our content and delivery methods to be best practice. 

 We strive every day to create an impact that inspires. More information about the Foundation can be found at https://www.westernbulldogs.com.au/foundation 

We endeavour to create an inclusive environment where all are accepted and celebrated regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation, religion or background.  We are a child safe organisation committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people. If you are looking to be a part of a committed and passionate team, we encourage you to apply.

Your contribution to the team includes

As the Youth and School Programs Manager at WBCF, you will be instrumental in empowering young people in Melbourne's west and Victoria. Your focus will be on delivering high-quality programs that cater to the specific needs of the community and Schools, fostering active youth participation in society and providing invaluable opportunities for young individuals to thrive and grow.

This role is also responsible for:

Strategic Planning and Community Engagement

• Managing program budgets and ensuring effective delivery 
• Seeking new opportunities for fee-for-service programs and partnerships with schools and commercial entities that align with our youth initiatives.
• Ensure all youth programs are inclusive and culturally safe, promoting diversity and understanding.
• Utilising expertise in the Youth sector to drive the success and growth of our Youth and school programs
• Fostering a positive work environment, providing strategic leadership, and evaluating programs.
• Develop key sustainability plans to ensure longevity of all Youth programs and services.
• Collaborate with Head of Programs and Community Engagement and other WBCF Managers to inform the strategic direction of WBCF.
• Develop and manage operational plans, KPIs, and the Strategic Plan for Youth and School programs, focusing on community engagement and positive outcomes for young individuals

Youth and School Program Development, Delivery & Evaluation

• Work collaboratively with internal staff and program stakeholders to achieve program outcomes (as listed in program logic models)
• Manage WBCF Youth programs, including the including the Youth Leadership Project, Nallei Jerring Youth Program, Leaders of the Pack Program, School Workshop Program and other youth related initiatives and develop new programs as needed for targeted communities
• Support the WBCF Strategic Advisory Committee and Child Safety Working Group
• Develop new programs tailored to the needs of targeted school communities, expanding the scope of offerings to better engage students.
• Manage the implementation of recommendations to improve Child Safe Standards (Youth Programs Review).
• Ensure continual improvement of programs through strong planning, monitoring and evaluation processes.
• Ensure all program development and evaluation occurs in consultation with the target community, funding bodies and Victoria University.
• Ensure programs utilise evidence-based approaches and that we share our own research, case studies and participants stories.

Partner, stakeholder and people management

• Identify, build and maintain solid relationships and partnerships with all levels of Government, industry members, corporate partners, key stakeholders, philanthropic groups and others
• Develop and manage advisory Groups/steering committees as needed in consultation with GM and other relevant stakeholders
• Represent WBCF at a senior level at events and meetings as required and positively represent WBCF at tender pitches and events.
• Collaborate with the Football Club on events and initiatives that help to raise the profile of relevant Youth and social issues.
• Assist in developing new revenue opportunities through a social enterprise and fee-for-service model development
• Provide leadership that fosters a collaborative environment that encourages new ideas delivers on program objectives and to meet departmental objectives and KPIs.
• Create trust by displaying consistency, understanding, integrity and patience.
• Supervise and support all Youth full time, part time and casual staff in their roles.
• Complete bi-annual performance reviews of all Youth staff
• Identify professional development opportunities for Youth staff (and share with all Foundation staff) with guidance from the Head of Programs and Community Engagement

Skills and experience

• Experience in managing funding grants from government and non-government sectors, including the preparation and submission of reports and budgets.
• Knowledge and understanding of demographic features and trends in the west of Melbourne and Victoria.
• Experience in working with a range of community organisations and service providers, in particular within the youth sector.
• Previous experience in the design, delivery and evaluation of community programs to Youth and underrepresented community groups using social inclusion and community development principles.
• Excellent communication skills both verbal and written.
• Proven ability to establish relationships with multicultural and First Nations communities as well as other stakeholders. 
• Experience in developing and delivering community programs using community development principles.
• Youth Mental health knowledge will be a bonus.
• Experience in financial management and budgeting.

What’s on offer

• Free onsite parking at Victoria University Whitten Oval!
• Club membership -  Free access to Western Bulldogs home games for you and your family 
• Continuous learning & development – Array of paid and discounted professional training and development opportunities on offer
• Flexible working arrangements – 2 days work from home opportunity available dependant on role
• Work Life Leave provided and encouraged to those who are required to work weekends 
• Deals & Discounts with corporate sponsors - 42% off Asics footwear, 45% off Asics apparel
• Parent friendly – Paid Primary and Secondary Carer’s Leave available 
• Wellbeing focus including - Access to our EAP Converge includes up to 6 free counselling sessions for you and your immediate family and regular education/initiatives sessions 

How to Apply

Successful candidates will be required to hold a valid working with children check and a satisfactory national criminal history check.

If you are interested in working in a challenging yet extremely satisfying position, please click on ‘Apply for this Job’ & attach your resume and a cover letter outlining your key attributes. Applications close at 5pm Sunday 10th March 2024.

Western Bulldogs acknowledges that we reside on traditional lands of the Kulin Nation. We offer our respect to the Elders of these traditional lands, and through them to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples past, presenting and emerging. Western Bulldogs encourages Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to apply.