Who We Are

Social Ventures Australia (SVA) is an innovative social impact organisation operating across Australia.

We use our broad outlook, transformational thinking, and trusted voice to lead the charge against inequality in Australia. We were created over 20 years ago to find innovative solutions to entrenched social problems and speed up the rate of positive change.

We think differently, help redesign systems by learning about what works in communities, and work hand-in-hand with passionate partners to take real action and achieve positive social change.

The Innovation Hub

SVA’s Innovation Hub (the Hub) was established in October 2023 to increase the quality, quantity and speed of developing new programs and initiatives at SVA. The success of the Hub will be evidenced by the successful implementation and funding of new programs and initiatives which support SVAs overall purpose.

The Hub has three core functions:

• Ideation and development: Supporting ideation and development of new programs and initiatives which are attractive to potential funders or partners and which promote the delivery of SVA’s purpose.
• Fostering innovation: Identifying and actioning opportunities to foster practice and program innovation at SVA. This includes developing resources, tools and processes to support innovation and program development.
• Knowledge management, monitoring and reporting: Maintaining the SVA innovation knowledge base by updating the Innovation wiki, and keeping staff updated with news and achievements. Monitoring SVA’s innovation performance, pipeline and budget, and reporting to SVA’s Leadership Team and Board on progress

The Role

The Director, Innovation develops and creates new programs and initiatives for SVA to support our ongoing growth in impact and revenue. Initiatives may surface from existing practice areas or could add to our existing portfolio of work.

By working closely with and drawing knowledge from across SVA, the Director, Innovation builds compelling project concepts and pitches to philanthropists and other funders to support SVA’s work.

Your Benefits

• Work in a business with a track record of driving meaningful social change including being awarded Best CSR Innovation by the Australian Financial Review (AFR) in 2023
• Be part of the SVA team known for living by our values to put people at the centre and be open and ready to learn
• Work in a team that offers flexibility and a hybrid work model that is specific to you and recognises that work is only one of our priorities.
• Join a business which prioritises personal wellbeing and development, including an additional week’s leave after working with SVA for two continuous years.

Who You Are

You bring:

• A strong commitment to reducing disadvantage and driving systemic change
• Expertise in program design and implementation, including an understanding of how to measure impact
• A proven ability to build and pitch new concepts and initiatives to funders or investors in the government, corporate, philanthropic and non-government sectors
• Experience working in diverse cultural settings, including partnering with First Nations communities and community stakeholders

SVA values diversity and encourages applications from candidates of all backgrounds, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and people of colour. We value diversity of culture, faith, gender identity and sexual orientation. We welcome unique contributions and perspectives of all people to ensure our workforce is representative of the communities we work with and live in.

Applicants can request a reasonable adjustment at any stage during the recruitment process by contacting [email protected] using the subject line: Director, Innovation enquiry via EthicalJobs. There is scope to customise the job role to accommodate people with different abilities.

If you have the experience and skills we are looking for and are excited to join our team, please submit your CV (max 2 pages) and a statement (max 1 page) addressing the person requirements.

Please note we will consider and progress applications as they are received and therefore encourage you to apply at your earliest opportunity.