The Opportunity:

Joining Play Matters Australia as an Executive Manager to lead our Community and Place-based Programs is an opportunity to take the next step in your career, where you will be making a significant difference to the lives of children, families and communities in Queensland. This is a key strategic and operational leadership role with a primary focus on program design and delivery for our community and supported programs.

The role holds subject matter expertise in understanding approaches to early years program design and delivery of both volunteer-led programs and targeted interventions to support children, families and communities. A key function of this role is the ability to establish, develop and maintain key partnerships with Government, non-Government and private organisations and support the growth and retention of customers and members.

Key Responsibilities:

• Advocate for Play Matters vision, mission and strategy by providing leadership to direct reports and the external community/sector.
• Adopt a leadership style consistent with PMA's strategy and values, while also leading integrated program planning and business development efforts in alignment with the company's strategic plans, community needs, and stakeholder/funding requirements.
• Lead a team of managers to ensure program portfolio requirements are met and nurture a geographically distributed workforce aligned with organisational goals. This includes recruiting, onboarding, setting KPIs, and providing ongoing supervision, coaching, and training to enhance team performance and development.
• Oversee program monitoring and evaluation, promoting best practices and quality assurance, and identifying opportunities for innovative service delivery and funding alignment with strategic goals. This encompasses championing sustainability, customising programs to local needs, and collaborating with senior leaders for strategic alignment, knowledge contributions, and improvements in productivity and value for internal and external offerings.
• Establish and nurture positive and strategic partnerships with stakeholders, advocating for evidence-based practices through research and data utilisation, and take an active role in stakeholder engagement, including potential leadership in these efforts.
• Efficiently handle administrative, financial, and compliance tasks, including timely reporting, budget management, and ensuring legal adherence. Oversee data management and uphold a duty of care for the program team's safety while complying with company policies and procedures.
• Emphasise personal responsibility for health and safety, ensuring compliance with WH&S legislation, leading by example in fostering a safe workplace culture, and actively promoting child-safe practices and principles.

Essential Criteria:

• Bachelors degree or postgraduate degree and/or similar qualifications and extensive relevant experience in early childhood, and/or community development, family support or related fields.
• Experience working with families from varying social and cultural backgrounds.
• A minimum of 7 years senior management experience delivering evidence-based government funded programs in a relevant industry or organisation.
• Significant previous experience leading a geographically dispersed team of people across multiple portfolios.
• Previous experience in operational management and/or experience in operationalising and implementing strategic business plans.
• Demonstrated experience in the delivery or programs that are culturally safe and a commitment to building cultural competency within an organisation.
• Experience in effectively networking and building sustainable relationships and connections in the sector.
• Experience/practical knowledge in program, performance, evaluation and research methodologies.

We offer you:

• Flexible working options within a collaborative and inclusivework environment.
• An opportunity to make a difference in the lives of families.
• Ongoing training, development, and mentoring opportunities.

About us:

Play Matters Australia, a registered charity, collaborates with government, non-government, and community agencies to support families with young children. Our mission is to support children and families in building relationships, skills, and confidence through the power of play. We've been empowering parents and caregivers for nearly 50 years, offering programs that give children from birth to five the best start in life through play. We're dedicated to recognising parents and caregivers as a child's first teacher and provide government-funded, evidence-based early intervention programs nationwide. We are driven by our core values of collaboration, welcoming and inclusivity, accountability, contemporary practice, fun, and creativity.

Play Matters Australia is committed to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion:

Play Matters Australia acknowledges Aboriginal people as the traditional custodians of the land on which we operate. We commit to working respectfully to honour their ongoing cultural and spiritual connections to this country.

Diversity and inclusivity are important to Play Matters Australia and we are committed to ensuring our workplace and services reflect this. Everyone is welcome, regardless of age, ethnicity, cultural background, gender, sexual orientation, religious affiliation, and physical ability.

Play Matters Australia is Committed to Child Safety:

We have zero tolerance of child abuse. Our robust human resources, recruitment and vetting practices are strictly adhered to during the application and interviewing process. Applicants should be aware that we carry out working with children and reference checks to ensure that we are recruiting the right people.

Any questions regarding the role can be directed to: Anita McGonigle, Manager People & Culture at: [email protected], using the subject line: Executive Manager enquiry via EthicalJobs.

To submit your application, click Apply now.