About Dadfit

Dadfit is a Melbourne-based charity and social enterprise supporting dads to enable healthy, safe and gender equal families.

Founded in 2023 by CEO Ryan Carters, Dadfit delivers programs connecting and supporting dads in communities, workplaces and sporting organisations.

Too many dads are struggling with mental and physical health, social isolation, parenting and relationships. Traditional parent groups and support services are mostly attended by women, and fail to engage most dads. When dads struggle, entire families suffer.

Dadfit’s mission is to demonstrate and scale up our innovative, community-led model for supporting dads, creating a step change in family health and gender equality.

Backed by philanthropy, government, and employers, Dadfit’s free community programs combine group exercise, facilitated discussions, and weekly challenges. We also deliver workplace programs and family events.

In less than two years, we’ve already supported hundreds of dads with lasting impacts - including in diverse and disadvantaged communities - and we’re growing rapidly.

We’re excited to grow our team to power the next phase of Dadfit’s mission to support over 10,000 dads and families by 2028.

Dadfit Program Manager (or Head of Programs for a more senior candidate)

The Program Manager role is an exciting opportunity to work closely with CEO Ryan Carters to drive the next phase Dadfit’s growth and impact.

As Dadfit’s second full-time hire, the Program Manager will play a key role in shaping the future of Dadfit and setting the organisation up for continued growth and success.

For a more senior candidate, there is potential for this role to be appointed as or grow into Head of Programs, an executive role with more senior leadership responsibilities.

Program Manager key responsibilities:

• Program delivery: Oversee delivery of Dadfit community programs, including the five-week Dadfit program and emerging programs including ongoing Dad Teams, Dads & Kids SportsFest, and Dads & Kids Weekends
• People leadership: Build, train and manage our team of high-quality facilitators, and, as we grow, a team of program coordinators, who will report to the Program Manager
• Participant recruitment and communications: Develop scaleable and effective systems to recruit and engage Dadfit participants before, during and after programs
• Program evaluation: Oversee partnerships with external evaluators to ensure high-quality evaluation of the Dadfit program
• Program development: Work with the CEO to develop and pilot new concepts, programs and elements to increase the reach and impact of Dadfit
• Continuous improvement: Develop internal systems to continuously monitor and improve our programs and processes, striving for excellence

Other areas that the Program Manager may contribute to:

• Organisational strategy: Support the CEO in developing Dadfit’s strategy and providing leadership to guide Dadfit’s mission and strategic objectives.
• Financial management: Support the CEO in building and overseeing financial plans and budgets for Dadfit projects.
• Partnerships and fundraising: Support the CEO in developing and extending Dadfit’s partnerships, including with governments, community organisations, philanthropic foundations, and employers.
• Marketing and communications: Support the CEO in enhancing our brand and telling the story of Dadfit via our website, social media, traditional media, speaking opportunities, and other channels.

Qualities we’re looking for:

• You’re passionate about Dadfit’s mission. You care deeply about contributing to a future where every dad is supported to be at his best and families are safe, healthy and gender-equal.
• You’re great with people. You easily build trust and rapport with individuals and groups. You ask great questions and are a good listener. You have thrived in previous people-focused roles including leading teams. You motivate and inspire colleagues, participants, partners and funders.
• You’re strategic. You see options, assess alternatives, and make smart decisions. You communicate clearly and concisely. You are intentional about where you invest time and resources.
• You’re comfortable with tech. You’re comfortable with tech and data and like setting up systems and processes to make things more efficient.
• You get things done. You are energetic, creative, and have a track record of making things happen.
• You’re a learner. You design experiments, test things out, learn from data and user experiences, and refine ideas over time.
• You live the mission. You work hard but you know there’s more to life than work. You role model being real, open and balanced.

Program Manager ideal skills and qualifications:

• 5+ years of relevant career experience in the non-profit, private or public sector, including leading teams
• A successful track record developing, managing and/or delivering community programs, e.g. in social services, education, sport, or corporate
• A successful track record building and maintaining relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, ensuring ongoing support and partnerships
• A leadership style that can create a fun, collaborative, passionate, high-performing and inclusive culture
• Tertiary qualification(s) and/or expertise in a relevant field such as social work, psychology, public health, teaching, public policy, or business management.
• Ideally: Experience working in start-up environments and/or overseeing the design and growth of new programs / services
• We will consider candidates who don’t meet all the criteria above if they have the right attributes

The offer:

• Full-time, permanent position located in Melbourne. Dadfit is a four days a week organisation. This means our full-time staff typically work four days or we discuss other types of flexibility that suit your lifestyle. We’re family friendly and encourage our people to have balanced and sustainable careers.
• Work closely with the Dadfit CEO and facilitators, based on remote working arrangements with in-person meetings as required
• Competitive remuneration package
• Successful applicants will be required to hold a Working With Children’s Check