Who Are We?

At MCRI we share a powerful vision; to re-imagine the future of child health. We are the home to many life-changing scientific discoveries. We believe that no question is too impossible to try and answer. We are renowned for our cutting edge focus on early interventions, improved diagnosis, prevention and development of potential cures. Our success is founded on a philosophy of collaboration through a multi-disciplinary approach to solving the toughest questions in child health. MCRI is a proud member of the Australian Network on Disability. We are committed to creating a positive working environment which values all backgrounds and experiences. We strive to foster an inclusive culture that is underpinned by equal opportunity for all and a culture based on respect, consideration and dignity. 

About Restacking the Odds

Restacking the Odds is a collaboration between Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI), Social Ventures Australia (SVA) and Bain & Company, aiming to help participants across the children and families service system sharpen their focus and effectiveness. The project was established with a strong conviction: that Early Childhood Development (ECD) services should be designed using research-based evidence and should be equitably delivered with the guidance of quantitative lead indicators based on that same evidence. We also had a strong hypothesis: that these lead indicators are rarely used in Australia today, even for single services, let alone across the suite of core services important to help children born into disadvantaged circumstances arrive at grade 3 on a better trajectory for life.

Restacking the Odds focuses on five evidence-based platforms and programs in early childhood: antenatal care; sustained nurse home visiting; early childhood education and care; parenting programs; and the early years of school. Our premise is that by ‘stacking’ these fundamental strategies (i.e., ensuring they are all applied for a given individual) there will be a cumulative effect - amplifying the impact and sustaining the benefit. However, too many of these strategies are delivered with low fidelity, and too many children and families miss out – often because decisions on service design, delivery and improvement are based on limited data and a limited understanding of what works to improve outcomes.

The Opportunity

We are seeking a General Manager with a passion for innovation and social change. The role will suit someone with experience working across a variety of sectors and job functions. The successful candidate will be an effective leader, a skilful and creative problem solver, a diligent manager and strong networker. They will need to build collaborative working relationships with local communities and service providers, and with leading national organisations, government and sector leaders and experts. The General Manager is the project lead responsible for overall management and delivery.

This includes management of the project strategy, work plan, team and operations:

• The strategy will be jointly developed with the Project Steering Committee, comprising representatives from MCRI, SVA and Bain & Company.
• The implementation of the strategy will be the responsibility of the General Manager.
• The project work plan will be designed and owned by the General Manager with input from the Project Steering Committee and project team.
• The project will comprise a small team of social impact professional.
• The project team’s scope will cover stakeholder relations, third party partnerships and other key dependencies required for effective delivery of the project.

Your responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Managing Restacking the Odds team.
• Working with the Project Steering Committee to develop project strategy and direction.
• Overseeing all project management within the team and provide direction as required.
• Responsibility for the overall delivery and performance of key deliverables across the team.
• Working with project partners to design and complete key deliverables of the project.
• Providing or enabling team mentorship, coaching and training; develop a culture of learning and best practice.
• Managing the Restacking budget.
• Leading effective discussions with advisors, steering groups and committees as required.
• Agreeing and managing stakeholder expectations for project delivery (timing, resources, costs, risks, changes).
• Influencing a wide range of stakeholders to help generate engagement, drive initiatives and achieve project outcomes.
• Collaborating with Restacking’s project partners and advisors to share learnings and gather advice.

Selection Criteria

• Have successfully managed a multidisciplinary team to deliver a complex project, meeting deadlines and budgets.
• Significant experience in program design, program delivery and/or consulting in the education, health or human services or research sectors.
• Proven ability to lead a team and collaborate with diverse senior external stakeholders to deliver project outcomes.
• Proven experience to build relationships with multiple organisations, including government (policy makers), community and non-government organisations.
• Demonstrated experience leading projects involving data and/or technology.
• Outstanding interpersonal, communication and influencing skills.
• Evidence of sound judgement, initiative and the ability to deal with ambiguity.

What’s in it for you:

• 2 Year - Full Time Contract (Possible Extension).
• Attractive Salary $150,000- $180,000 per annum + Super.
• Located at Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Parkville.
• Salary Packaging, Well Being Program and much more.
• Flexible working options also available.

Apply Now!!

For a full list of responsibilities and the key selection criteria view the position description attached.

Only applicants who address the key selection criteria will be considered. In one document please place your cover letter, key selection criteria, and resume. Applications will only be considered when submitted via the MCRI website.

For specific questions not answered in the PD please contact Sharon Goldfeld [email protected] using the subject line: General Manager - Restacking the Odds enquiry via EthicalJobs.

Click Apply Now to proceed with your application.

Position Reference: 30515

On occasions where we receive a large number of applications, we may close the advert ahead of the publicised closing date. We would therefore advise that you submit your completed application as soon as possible.

We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, all members of the LGBTQI community and people with disability.

Should you require any specific support or adjustments please talk to us and we will be happy to accommodate.