The BGCS Department of Circular Economy and Sustainability employs approximately 10 staff who work in a number of social enterprises and Banksia’s sustainability and education programs. Our sustainability efforts are well-established, and have attracted multiple awards as an exemplar of community-based climate action and environmental advocacy, practice and education. Our social enterprises were established more recently, as vehicles to provide training and work experience to local young people, many of whom were previously disengaged from study or work.

The Manager Circular Economy and Sustainability will oversee the operations of the department and will lead participatory processes to develop its strategic vision in consultation with the local community and BGCS staff. A key part of the role will be to develop our social enterprises as viable commercial operations, while maintaining and deepening their social impact, utilising wherever possible circular economy principles to reduce waste, repurpose resources and generate economic benefits from sustainable practices. Other critical aspects of the role include the development of supportive partnerships with stakeholders, especially philanthropic funders, the City of Hume and government agencies.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

• Overall direction and management of the Department of Circular Economy and Sustainability, including oversight of the following programs and services:
• Common Bean Café, with two outlets, Kangan Institute and DPV Health
• Broady Bikes, a bicycle restoration and sales enterprise
• Naughty Broady, a youth-led retail brand supported by Banksia’s Community Connections team
• Banksia’s Sustainability and education programs, notably the Climate
• Leadership of Banksia’s internal circular economy initiatives, including composting, community gardens and container deposit recycling
• Further development of Banksia Gardens reputation as an environmental and circular economy leader in Melbourne’s northern suburbs
• The identification and development of new social enterprise opportunities, for example, additional outlets in hospitality, and landscaping & gardening
• The development and maintenance of relationships with key stakeholders, including but not limited to senior representatives of government and the public service (especially local Members of Parliament, City of Hume Councillors, and departmental Regional Directors); mission-critical partners for our social enterprises, notably Kangan Institute, DPV Health and City of Hume, and; philanthropic foundations.
• The proactive pursuit of funding to support the Department’s initiatives, whether that be through government grants and tenders, or philanthropic sources.
• Liaison with and support for the Naughty Broady youth-led retail brand, managed principally by Banksia’s Community Connections team.
• Staff supervision and support for the following positions:
  • Sustainability and Education Coordinator
  • Broady Bikes Coordinator
  • Common Bean Café Operations Manager

• In collaboration with the Executive Management Team, lead participatory processes to develop the department’s strategic vision in consultation with program participants and BGCS staff.

• Participate in other activities as a member of the BGCS Executive Management Team (EMT) and BGCS leadership team, such as:

  • Actively participate in monthly BGCS leadership meetings.
  • Actively participate in regular BGCS EMT meetings
  • Actively participate in monthly BGCS Department of Department of Circular Economy and Sustainability
  • Chair Banksia’s Workplace Health and Safety Committee, including oversight of Banksia’s compliance with relevant occupational health and safety requirements

Our organisation is proud to serve the City of Hume, one of the most culturally diverse places in the whole of Australia. BGCS is committed to human rights, gender equity and fundamental freedoms, in particular the rights of minorities, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the LGBTQIA+ community.

We genuinely acknowledge and respect everyone’s individual values, beliefs, efforts, ideas, language and cultural and religious backgrounds and we encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply.

BGCS is a child-safe organisation and is committed to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of children and young people with zero tolerance for child abuse. All successful applicants will be required to undertake a National Police Record Check and Working with Children Check prior to commencement of employment.

For more information, please email Kylie Aloi, HR Officer [email protected] using the subject line: Manager - Circular Economy and Sustainability enquiry via EthicalJobs.

A position description is attached.