• Opportunity to work at Partnerships for Local Action and Community Empowerment (PLACE), a national not-for-profit organisation that supports the adoption and impact of place-based approaches across Australia
• Join at an exciting time, as the PLACE team builds its foundational team during its establishment phase, in preparation for its first steps of growth as a new organisation.
• $130,000 - $165,000 (FTE) per annum excluding superannuation.
• Full time (1.0) fixed-term position
• Flexible national location, with hybrid conditions - available in Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Darwin, Hobart, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney, or regional Australia.
• The successful candidate will undertake domestic travel regularly as part of this role.

The Director of the Collaborative Solutions Function will lead PLACE’s work to address issues of national significance that impact the success of place-based initiatives. These challenges might include inflexible policies, funding models that don’t match local needs, and difficulty in scaling new innovations.

The Director will bring together key stakeholders to identify and address these issues, support the development of innovative ideas, and build partnerships to create real change. This role is essential to creating a stronger, more coordinated approach to place-based work across Australia.

As a member of PLACE’s executive leadership team, the Director, Collaborative Solutions will play a critical role in shaping the organisation’s direction, fostering collaboration across functions, and contributing to key strategic decisions. During PLACE’s establishment phase, this role will provide leadership and guidance to ensure the organisation’s foundational structures, strategies, and partnerships are effectively established. This includes working closely with the CEO, Board, and other executive leaders to embed PLACE’s values and operational excellence across all areas of the organisation.

Who you are (selection criteria):

• You hold relevant tertiary qualifications in public policy, community development, social innovation, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• You can demonstrate proven leadership experience in managing partnerships and collaborative initiatives, ideally in a community or national context.
• You embody a strong understanding of challenges that affect the success of place-based initiatives and how to overcome them.
• You can demonstrate the ability to bring together diverse groups to create solutions that work in practice.
• You have experience in designing and leading innovation projects or similar initiatives.
• You possess excellent communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to inspire and engage a wide range of stakeholders.
• Strong project management skills are a key skill of yours, including the ability to lead complex initiatives.
• You are comfortable in a start-up environment; you manage multiple competing priorities with a proactive and adaptable approach.
• You align with PLACE’s vision, values, and principles.

Research indicates that while men apply to jobs when they meet an average of 60% of the criteria, women and other marginalised individuals often wait until they fulfil every requirement. If you believe you have the attributes to do the job but don't match every point on the job ad, we welcome and encourage your application.

Key responsibilities:

• Lead the Support Collaborative Solutions Function, ensuring it focuses on issues of national importance that affect communities and place-based initiatives.
• Actively contribute to PLACE’s executive leadership team, providing strategic advice and input on PLACE’s growth and development as a newly established organisation.
• Bring together diverse groups—such as government, philanthropy, community organisations, and practitioners—to discuss challenges and identify solutions.
• Establish and manage an innovation hub to develop and test new approaches that address challenges of national significance.
• Represent PLACE in national discussions about improving outcomes for communities through better policies and practices.
• Develop ways to measure the success of collaborative efforts and innovative solutions, focusing on real-world outcomes for communities.

Please see the Director, Collaborative Solutions Job Description for more.

Who we are:

Partnerships for Local Action and Community Empowerment (PLACE) is a not-for-profit organisation, committed to collaborative, community-driven approaches to create impactful and lasting change.

It is our vision to enable communities and governments to jointly decide on matters that are most important to our lives. We lead national initiatives to develop workforce strategies, enhance place-based practices and improve data monitoring and evaluation.

At PLACE, we are dedicated to creating lasting change through understanding, action and empowered governance.

What we offer:

• True flexibility and a strong focus on agility in the workplace; we prioritise making flexible work arrangements possible for all employees.
• Access to $15,900 in salary packaging through Fringe Benefits Tax options.
• A team of supportive and passionate people committed to maintaining a positive workplace culture and making an impact.
• 5 weeks of Annual Leave for every 12 months of employment.
• Two days volunteering leave for every 12 months of employment.
• A leadership team that truly wants you to flourish and make your mark on the organisation.
• A workplace that prioritises both diversity and inclusion, allowing everyone to bring their authentic selves to work in an environment that ensures psychological and physical safety.
• Hybrid work environment and flexible working arrangements (the opportunity to work where you live).
• Cultural and Ceremonial leave.
• A Learning and Development budget per employee, prioritising professional development for our employees.

How to apply:

To express your interest, submit an online application through this portal and include a professional resume. All applicants must also provide brief responses to the application questions that are included as part of the online application.

Note: we do not accept cover letters as part of our application process.

Applications will be reviewed upon receipt, so don’t delay your application.

If you require additional adjustments, or would like to discuss any access needs as a part of the application and recruitment process, then please contact us via email [email protected] using the subject line: Director - Collaborative Solutions - Partnerships for Local Action and Community Empowerment - Flexible Location enquiry via EthicalJobs.

A position description is attached.

PLACE is an equal opportunity employer and strives to maintain a workplace environment that is fair and free of discrimination, is safe and accessible for all employees, and provides working arrangements that accommodate the diverse needs of our staff. We strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, women, people from culturally- and linguistically-diverse backgrounds, LGBTQIA+ people and people of every ethnicity, faith, ability, culture, language, gender identity, age, and sex.

Employment in this position is conditional upon reception and maintenance of a Working With Children Check.

As part of our employment screening process, we do run police checks. But don’t worry—having a criminal record doesn’t automatically disqualify you.