• Responsible to: Operations Manager, House of Welcome
• Responsible for: Social Enterprise Development
• Location: Granville NSW
• Conditions: 1 year contract in the first instance (likely to be renewed)
• Full Time, flexible hours
• Award: SCHADS Level 5 Paypoint 3

THE HOUSE OF WELCOME/ HOUSE OF WELCOME CATERING

The House of Welcome (HoW) provides support for people seeking asylum and refugees living in the Australian community. The House of Welcome welcomes, shelters and empowers people seeking asylum, regardless of their age, gender, sexuality, nationality or religion. We provide client-centred holistic supports that nurture hope, advocate for justice and promote self-reliance, while acknowledging the dignity and rights of each person.

The House of Welcome (HoW) is a service of St Francis Social Services (SFSS). Our vision is for a society which recognises the dignity, equality, human rights and humanity of all people. We recognise that people seeking asylum are in special need of support, having been displaced from their homes through war, conflict, persecution and suffering, and potentially having been subjected to immigration detention.

Clients come to the HoW via word of mouth, referral from another organisation or via other clients. HoW currently provides short-medium term accommodation and housing for approximately 95 refugees and people seeking asylum in 18 properties. In addition to housing, staff and volunteers offer a variety of support services such as casework, financial assistance, foodbank, referrals, advocacy and employment programs.

House of Welcome Catering reduces barriers for people seeking asylum and refugees to access work in Australia by providing traineeships, combining impact, wraparound support, and inspiring flavours.

HoW plays a significant role in providing client-based advocacy and support, working with partners and stakeholders.

about the role

An opportunity exists for an experienced, dynamic, collaborative and creative leader to join our diverse and dedicated team.

In this full-time role, the Social Enterprise Lead will oversee key aspects of HoW Catering — from strategy, finance and marketing to sales, training and compliance — while delivering outstanding customer service and overseeing the delivery of quality catering to corporate, government and community customers.

The Social Enterprise Lead will shape the future of the social enterprise, creating an environment of sustainable growth where client chefs and the kitchen team thrive.

Main Objective

The Social Enterprise Lead is responsible for planning, developing, managing and implementing the HoW Catering's strategy to ensure the delivery on the organisation's social impact goals.

This involves:

• Developing and ensuring a viable and sustainable model for the social enterprise. This encompasses developing capacity for a progressive increase in the number of trainees from asylum seeker and refugee backgrounds and build their skills, confidence and independence accordingly.
• Identifying relevant employment pathways, professional training and opportunities for the program’s trainees, in collaboration with the HoW Employment team.
• Growing, nurturing and further developing relationships and partnerships with customers, growing understanding, respect and trust with partners and stakeholders.
• Establishing viable processes, policies, and procedures to smooth and improve the running of catering operations.

Main Responsibilities

• Lead with vision and strategy, aligning all aspects of the business with the overarching HoW social mission, goals and values aimed to empower people seeking asylum and refugees by providing traineeships and professional development opportunities.
• Manage, motivate and support the HoW Catering team.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, respect, harmony, sustainable growth, and continuous improvement.
• Work closely with and support the Head Chef, assistant and client chefs, to grow and scale a thriving social enterprise, carefully considering and continuously reviewing capacity and available resources.
• Oversee the delivery of catering services, ensuring seamless operations, achievement of mission objectives and customer satisfaction.
• Ensure HoW Catering meets industry standards, while upholding safety and compliance with regulations for kitchen staff and trainees.
• In collaboration with the Head Chef, promote growth through menu innovation and by identifying and cultivating new opportunities, as well as building strong relationships with key stakeholders.
• Collaborate with the Head Chef on logistics, including venue assessment and staffing needs for conferences, weddings and other large-scale events.
• Develop, strengthen, monitor and measure the efficacy of trainee programs.
• Collaborate with the team to streamline processes, implement relevant policies and procedures and drive efficiency.
• Improve management systems, processes, and practices to ensure that all operations are carried on in an appropriate, cost-effective manner.
• Strategically manage all supply chain partners including inventory planning, purchasing.
• Lead revenue generation.
• Lead business sales, profit forecasts, budgets and analyses (cost of goods, profit margins) and reporting.
• Represent HoW Catering Social Enterprise externally, reinforcing the social mission, brand and organisational reputation of House of Welcome.
• Be responsible for setting and monitoring key performance indicators (KPIs) and making data-driven decisions to drive continuous improvement and quality assurance.
• Contribute to generating outcomes data for sharing and informing the team, newsletters, Annual Reports and external comms.
• Collaborate with the SFSS Fundraising Manager and SFSS Comms Manager to maintain the HW Catering website and marketing collateral through the creation of relevant content.
• Comply with legal obligations and mitigate risks and maintain appropriate professional and ethical standards, operational transparency and communication pathways to enhance service delivery and empower clients.

Selection Criteria

Essential Criteria:

• Relevant tertiary qualifications related to the field of business management, project management, social impact measurement and development, systems or organisational change management, or equivalent experience in leading a social enterprise.
• A compassionate, innovative, resourceful and visionary leader with a strong commitment to and understanding of mission-based social enterprises.
• A proven track record of working in fast-paced environment, managing teams, and driving measurable success, while maintaining a culture of care, collaboration, respect and empathy.
• Ability to make data-driven decisions that benefit the whole social enterprise.
• An inspiring and diplomatic communicator with strong negotiation skills who can connect with team members, customers, stakeholders, and industry partners.
• A commitment to safety, wellbeing, meeting industry standards and trauma-informed practices, ensuring HoW Catering leads with integrity.

Desirable Criteria:

• Sound understanding of forced migration and/or prior experience with organisations assisting refugees and people seeking asylum.
• A demonstrated ability to work sensitively in a culturally and linguistically diverse environment.
• A passion for social justice and social impact.
• Highly developed governance capabilities, and capacity for robust oversight of risk management.
• Experience with using and managing donor databases/CRM systems and grant management software and relevant technology to streamline grant processes and reporting.

Why Work with Us?

• Work within a passionate, dynamic and engaged team in an organisation that has enabled clients to reach their goals and potential for forty-six years
• Extend your capacity to contribute to growing social justice and a more compassionate, welcoming, respectful and empowering community
• Enjoy flexible working arrangements
• Benefit from generous salary packaging options
• $500 professional development allowance and 1 week of professional development leave each year (part time pro rata)
• Additional 2 wellbeing days per year
• Access to the Employee Assistance Program

SFSS respects, values and encourages diversity. We believe that diversity in our people enriches our organisation and the impact that we generate. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply.

How to Apply

Click Apply Now to apply for this role, please review the position description and attach your cover letter and CV. In your cover letter, please address the Selection Criteria and tell us why this role with SFSS is a good fit for you.

For additional information and queries, please contact Fabio Forgione, Operations Manager, House of Welcome. on [email protected] using the subject line: Social Enterprise Lead enquiry via EthicalJobs.

Please apply as soon as possible. We may choose to appoint the successful candidate before the closing date.

A position description is attached.

Working with Children Check and other security checks will be required.

You must be residing in Australia to apply.