About this Position

Wayside is seeking a passionate and experienced individual to join our team as the Head of Programs. Reporting to the CEO, you will play a crucial role as a member of the Executive Team in leading the implementation of Wayside’s organisational strategy, along with the delivery and ongoing improvement of all activities within the Wayside Program function.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and drive team management, workforce planning, coaching and professional development initiatives to align resources and optimise service delivery
• Lead, direct and manage the Wayside program function and operations covering Care Coordination, the Aboriginal Cultural Centre, Café and Community space, Pathways and Women’s Centre to ensure quality, responsive and appropriate services are provided to the Wayside visitor community
• Provide change management and leadership across Wayside to strengthen a shared understanding of and support for organisational goals and activities
• Work with Executive team to translate strategic direction into operational goals and build a shared understanding of the link between these and core organisational outcomes
• Provide high level strategic advice, forecasting and planning of local demand for services, benchmarking and reporting of performance and risk mitigation measures to enable the provision of locally tailored responsive services
• Build a shared sense of direction, clarify priorities and goals and inspire others to achieve these
• Monitor and evaluate service delivery processes and outcomes to ensure they are efficient, cost effective and in line with Wayside’s mission and vision and to action necessary improvements as required
• Coordinate, review and prepare high level quality strategic and operational briefing papers, board reports, business cases, proposals and correspondence to enable the CEO/Pastor to make timely decisions

Key Challenges

• Stepping into an environment that stands outside of the standard service delivery model and integrating that with our mission and vision with the tension that entails
• Managing organisational change by providing expertise, leadership guidance and direction to staff. Including bringing teams together across different visitor groups and sites creating opportunity for collaboration and knowledge sharing
• Managing competing clinical, operational and strategic responsibilities in a complex visitor care environment

About you

• Minimum 3 years' experience in a similar role
• Proven ability to develop and implement strategic and operational plans
• Experience managing services for disadvantaged communities and large multidisciplinary teams
• Commitment to trauma-informed, reflective, and self-care practices
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills to foster collaboration
• Ability to develop and motivate teams in a continuous improvement environment
• Consultative leadership style that encourages participation
• Strong ability to build rapport, negotiate, and maintain stakeholder relationships
• Experience managing complex service delivery issues, change management, and mentoring
• Innovative approach to program development, service design, and planning

About Wayside Chapel

Since 1964, situated on the Gadigal Land of the Eora Nation (Kings Cross), Wayside is known for its inclusive, low-barrier support services, offering dignity, respect, and love to our diverse and vulnerable community. As a part of Wayside, you will help us achieve our mission to create a community of no ‘us and them’. Our programs and services aim to provide essential health, welfare, social, and recreational support to the most marginalised members of our community. Every year, thousands of individuals seek assistance at our Kings Cross and Bondi centres to access these vital services. Our mission is to foster an inclusive community, eliminating the divide between 'us and them,' and offering a safe haven for people from all walks of life.

What’s in it for you?

• Five week’s Annual Leave + 17.5% Annual Leave Loading
• Flexible/hybrid working options
• $15,900 of your annual salary tax free through generous NFP salary packaging
• Access to external clinical supervision
• Paid Parental Leave – 10 weeks
• Paid Cultural and Ceremonial Leave
• Employee Assistance Program – Free, confidential counselling service

To apply, submit your resume and a brief cover letter outlining your relevant experience and why you're passionate about this opportunity. Join us at Wayside and help us create a more inclusive, supportive community for all.

For more information, please reach out to Blayze Thomas – Talent Acquisition [email protected] using the subject line: Head of Programs enquiry via EthicalJobs.

Wayside is an Equal Opportunity Employer who provides an inclusive work environment and embraces the diverse talent of its people. We value people of all cultures, languages, capacities, sexual orientations, gender identities and/or expressions. We are committed to achieving a diverse workforce and strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Prior to an offer of employment, candidates will be required to complete the pre-employment checks including a Police check & Working with Children check.