• AWARD: Neighbourhood Houses and Adult and Community Education Centres Collective Agreement, 2024
• CLASSIFICATION: SCHADS (Schedule 2B and 3B)
• Level 7.1 to 8.3 dependent on qualifications and experience
• HOURS: 30 hours per week, Monday to Friday

Longbeach Learning and Activity Centre (LLAC), formerly known as Longbeach PLACE, is a community-based and managed Centre where people come together to pursue leisure and learning opportunities. The primary focus of the Centre is to provide programs and services that enhance well-being, community involvement, and connectedness for those in the local community.

As a not-for-profit incorporated association, LLAC is governed by a volunteer Committee of Governance that provides the strategic direction and governance structure for Centre management. The Centre’s income is generated through a combination of fee-for-service activities, room hire revenue, recurrent funding from the Department of Families, Fairness & Housing (DFFH), Adult Community and Further Education (ACFE), City of Kingston, and periodic grants to support additional projects.

LLAC is dedicated to the principles of community ownership, participation, empowerment, access and equity, life-long learning, inclusion, networking, advocacy, self-help, and social action. The Centre serves over 500 participants annually and is supported by a team of 2 staff members, alongside volunteer contributions. LLAC manages a budget of approximately $500K per year, with programs in Health and Wellbeing classes and workshops, English as an Additional Language, digital literacy, and community special functions.

The Longbeach Learning and Activity Centre Governance Committee is seeking a Centre Manager who can lead the development and implementation of a new and exciting chapter for LLAC. This role is ideal for a visionary leader with a talent for innovation, strong interpersonal and negotiation skills, and a passion for working with diverse community members to drive meaningful community development.

​KEY RESPONSIBILITY AREAS

The Governance Committee delegates responsibility for the management and day-to-day operations to the Manager, who has the authority to carry out these responsibilities, in accordance with the strategic direction and policies established by the Governance Committee. The Manager provides advice and enables the Governance Committee to carry out its governance functions.

MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION

• Foster an organisational culture that fosters a quality customer experience and supports the professional development and work/life balance of staff and volunteers.
• Lead a team of staff, tutors, volunteers, and facilitators, managing their recruitment, induction, and ongoing development.
• Provide direction and oversight of all LLAC programs and activities, ensuring day-to-day operations to meet the needs of all Centre users and smooth, efficient functioning.
• Monitor relevant administrative processes for compliance with regulatory and funding bodies, such as Adult Community, Further Education (ACFE), and the Department of Families, Fairness & Housing (DFFH).
• Ensure all human resources and organisational practices comply with relevant legislation and policies, including Workplace Health and Safety, Equal Employment Opportunity, and relevant staff Awards.
• Manage data collection, including user/member registers, ensuring that information is current and analysed as required to inform decision-making and strategic planning.

Key performance indicators

• Maintain or increase staff and volunteer satisfaction levels, as measured through annual surveys, with a focus on work/life balance and professional development opportunities.
• Conduct quarterly evaluations of all programs and projects, with a goal of implementing at least two improvements per term based on feedback and performance data.
• Increase LLAC’s community engagement by 15% within the next 12 months, as measured by social media interactions, event attendance, and program participation rates.

FINANCE

• Oversee the fiscal activities of the organisation including budgeting, reporting and audit, and financial record-keeping in collaboration with the financial officer and the Governance Committee Treasurer.
• Work with Governance Committee to ensure financing to support short and long-term goals.
• Investigate new funding opportunities and write funding applications.
• Support the Financial Officer in managing accounts, regulatory reports, and cash handling, including petty cash, ensuring that all financial activities are accurately recorded and compliant with regulations.
• Plan and monitor project spending to ensure that it remains within budget.

Key performance indicators

• Ensure each program area (i.e. adult education, health and wellbeing) operates within the financial parameters set in the strategic plan by achieving a surplus, maintain cost neutrality, or being offset by other programs as necessary.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND MARKETING

• Engage a diverse range of community members to participate in and benefit from LLAC’s programs and services.
• Establish, develop, and maintain strong working partnerships with local organisations, schools, health and support agencies, and government bodies.
• Market LLAC and its activities to increase visibility and community involvement.
• Participate in Neighbourhood House network meetings, relevant City of Kingston meetings and events, and report key outcomes to the LLAC Governance Committee.
• Coordinate Governance Committee involvement in key stakeholder events.

Key performance indicators

• Build and maintain strong relationships with external stakeholders, including local government, target market groups, industry bodies, and donors, with a goal to maintain or increase collaborative projects or partnerships annually.
• Develop and implement marketing plan for each major LLAC activity, with quarterly assessments and monitoring to evaluate the effectiveness of each plan and adjust as needed.

PLANNING

• Assist the Governance Committee in developing the strategic plan and the annual operational plan, ensuring alignment with community needs and strategic objectives.
• Identify community needs and develop a range of activities and programs to respond effectively, promoting them to ensure maximum community engagement.
• Recommend policy positions to the Governance Committee based on community issues, industry developments, and government regulations.
• Seek and secure funding to support LLAC's activities, ensuring compliance with report requirements.
• Keep the Governance Committee fully informed of developments in the industry, relevant local, state and federal government bodies, not for-profit management and governance.

Key performance indicators

• Contribute to both the development and delivery of the Strategic Plan and annual operational plan, ensuring they reflect community needs and strategic objectives.
• Present business cases to the Governance Committee for new projects or major changes to existing programs, ensuring financial viability and alignment with LLAC’s strategic direction and community needs.
• Audit the organisational efficiency against the Neighbourhood House Good Practice Guide; develop, implement, and plan to ensure ongoing best practices, including a focus on program diversity and community benefit.

GOVERNANCE

• Assist the Governance Committee in defining and achieving its responsibilities and Strategic Plan objectives, including providing necessary resources, reports, and advice.
• Oversee the due diligence process to ensure timely and effective resolution of core issues.
• Recommend and recruit suitable volunteers for the Governance Committee and its sub-committees ensuring alignment with the committee’s needs.

Key performance indicators

• Submit a written report to the Governance Committee at least seven days before each monthly meeting, detailing progress against Key Performance Indicators and the annual operational plan.
• Attend and actively contribute to the monthly Governance Committee meetings, providing insights and updates as required.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Relevant tertiary or postgraduate qualification in Community Services, Welfare/Health, Adult Education, or a related discipline.
• Demonstrated experience in the community services sector and committee development.
• Possesses a strong understanding of the philosophy underpinning community organisations.
• Current Victorian Driver’s License, Victorian Police Check, and Working with Children Check.
• Accredited First Aid and CPR qualifications or the ability to obtain them.

SELECTION CRITERIA

• Demonstrated understanding of the Neighbourhood House sector and its values, with a strong working knowledge of community development principles and their application to community centre operations.
• Proven ability to effectively plan, design, implement, market, and evaluate community activities and programs, ensuring they align with community needs and strategic objectives.
• Experience in developing and maintaining strong partnerships with the community, organisations, and government bodies, along with a capacity for community advocacy.
• Highly developed skills in writing and managing funding submissions, grant applications, statistical reporting, and office administration.
• Demonstrated leadership experience in a community-based organisation, with the ability to work autonomously and in a team, manage conflict effectively, and oversee the recruitment, supervision, and development of staff, tutors, facilitators, volunteers, and community members.
• Strong decision-making, communication, and negotiation skills, with a clear understanding of risk assessment and management, problem-solving, and a commitment to inclusiveness and community awareness.
• Proficient in using Microsoft Office, financial accounting systems, and social media for the development of reports, submissions, and general correspondence.

DESIRABLE SELECTION CRITERIA

• Knowledge of Adult, Community and Further Education compliance requirements and Pre-Accredited Quality Framework