About Us

At Penrith City Council, we’re passionate about people; in our community and in our workplace. We want you to be able to be your best self and we get that work is just one part of your life, so we’re here to support you in the moments that matter. As the winner of the 2020 Local Government Excellence in People and Culture Award and an Excellence Award winner in the 2020 Australian HR Awards, you can be confident in joining a workplace that offers truly outstanding benefits, including:

• A range of flexible work arrangements
• 18 weeks paid maternity leave
• Health and wellbeing leave
• 15 days personal leave
• Significant financial and leave support for undertaking further education
• Diverse salary packaging
• And much, much more!

The City Activation, Community and Place department supports a vibrant and inclusive City with thriving, resilient communities. The department sits within Council's City Futures division, which looks at all aspects of planning and delivering a better city for all residents now and into the future. We are a multidisciplinary team with a wide range of strengths and we work collaboratively to deliver outcomes from community-based events, flagship festivals, place-making and arts initiatives, sector capacity-building, safer communities as well as evidence-based policy with a focus on delivering measurable impact. We work innovatively with our community to drive positive outcomes that shape the future of our City. In this role, you will join a passionate, outcomes-driven team focused on supporting a thriving City for all.

About the role

We are seeking a Program Manager to lead and inspire our passionate Community Resilience team to deliver programs and services within the portfolios of community safety, neighbourhood renewal and community capacity building, which support the wellbeing of residents in Penrith City.

In this role, you will leverage your experience in community engagement and development to actively engage with the local service sector to build an understanding of resident priorities and implement innovative and effective engagement strategies to build positive relationships between Council, residents and local community service organisations. You will uphold Council's values of respect, accountability and innovation in your approach to work and people. You will be responsible for cultivating a positive team culture, supporting staff to respond to new and emerging challenges innovatively, planning and delegating projects and activities, producing high-quality grant submissions and reports, and financial management.

We offer a hybrid working environment in this role and work together to balance our individual needs and working preferences with the needs of our colleagues, our customers and Council.

Essential Criteria

• Tertiary qualifications in one or more of the following areas or similar: Community Engagement, Community Development, Cultural Development, Leadership, Social Policy.
• Significant experience engaging and working with communities to identify needs, implement programs and services, and build capacity
• Demonstrated ability to lead, support and manage dynamic and diverse teams and contractors to deliver programs and services that achieve organisational goals.
• Demonstrated ability to lead the design, implementation and measurement of evidence based, community focused programs and services that deliver social impact.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, demonstrating influencing, collaboration and negotiation skills.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience in marketing and promotion.
• Undertaking post graduate qualifications or further study in a related field
• Experience working within a government framework

Commencing salary: $113,864.00 per annum, plus 10% Superannuation.

Access to a Leaseback Vehicle or Motor Vehicle Allowance is available with this position; however, it is not a condition of employment.

This position requires the worker to be double vaccinated against COVID-19 or to hold a medical contraindication certificate.

You may be required to undertake background checks, as relevant to the position for which you have applied.

Visit careers.penrith.city to view the position description and to find out more information about employment with Penrith City Council. To submit your application, please apply online using the "Apply Now" button.

In addition to a cover letter and resume, applicants are required to submit comprehensive responses to the selection criteria (listed above) as a part of their initial application. Applicants who do not meet the essential criteria will not be considered.

Completed applications must be received by the closing date. Please allow 4 weeks from the closing date for the processing of your application.

For further information about the position, please contact Megan Whittaker, City Activation, Community and Place Manager, on 4732 7407.

Applicants must have the right to live and work in Australia to apply for this position.

A position description is attached.