The Working Women’s Centre SA Inc is a not-for-profit organisation, charity and a community legal centre that provides a legal, education and advocacy services to vulnerable working women and people.

The Centre has three arms of work:

• Legal Service – we provide legal advice and representation to vulnerable workers who contact the Centre with work issues through one-to-one clinic appointments. Clients may require ongoing advice and if so we also provide advice outside of these clinic appointments. We provide a representation service and have the capacity to represent a client through to the conclusion of a hearing.
• Advocacy – we conduct advocacy to resolve systemic issues that affect women and other vulnerable workers, such as sexual harassment and precarious work. Our advocacy program is informed by our legal and education service.
• Education – we provide fee-for-service and free training for workers and employers about workplace rights, sexual harassment, responding to disclosures of domestic violence and other topics.

The Centre was established in 1979 and has been advising, supporting and advocating for vulnerable women for 45 years. The Centre provides support, advice, information, and representation to women who face issues in their employment in both federal and state jurisdictions. The Centre is also concerned with the structural inequalities for women in the workplace, and conducts outreach, community.

The Director is not covered by the EBA however it is anticipated that employment conditions specified in the Working Women’s Centre SA Inc Enterprise Agreement 2021 will apply. Please note that bargaining has commenced for a new agreement and will likely finalised by 1 September 2024. We are currently in a 4 day week pilot and this condition is subject to EBA negotiations.

Funding

The Centre has secured ongoing and diversified funding from both state and federal government. The Director will be overseeing funded multi-disciplinary projects with immediate funding security. The projected FY25 annual revenue is approximately $3.6 million.

Mission

Provide inspiring, strategic, robust and creative leadership and strategic vision by, fostering an environment of excellence, support, and continuous growth. The Director designs and oversees the implementation of strategic and operational plans, maintaining rigorous standards of performance and service, and ensuring the Centre meets its internal and external requirements. The Director will champion the Centres mission in the media and public sphere, building strong relationships with stakeholders and promoting the Centre's work to a broad audience.

Essential Criteria:

Leadership and Strategic Management:

• Demonstrated experience in providing visionary leadership and fostering a positive organisational culture.
• Proven ability to develop and implement strategic and operational plans that meet internal and external requirements.
• Experience in managing and supporting a diverse leadership team to achieve organisational objectives.

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion:

• Strong understanding and commitment to providing culturally safe and inclusive services.
• Demonstrated experience in meeting the diverse needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients, clients from non-English speaking backgrounds, clients with disabilities, gender-diverse clients, and clients in regional, rural, and remote locations.

Stakeholder Engagement and Relationship Management:

• Proven ability to develop and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, including government bodies, educational institutions, NGOs, community organisations, and trade unions.
• Experience in acting as a primary representative at meetings, committees, taskforces, and conferences.

Media and Communications Strategy:

• Demonstrated experience in developing and implementing comprehensive media and communications strategies.
• Strong public speaking, awareness-raising, and training skills to promote organisational objectives.

Financial Management:

• Proven experience in overseeing financial management, including budget preparation, monitoring, and reporting.
• Ability to secure funding opportunities to support organisational operations and strategic initiatives.

Legal and Advocacy Services:

• Strong understanding of legal advice and representation, particularly for vulnerable and target cohorts.
• Experience in designing and implementing legal strategies, including litigation, outreach case management, and regional services strategies.

Advocacy and Education Services:

• Demonstrated ability to identify systemic issues and develop realistic advocacy action plans.
• Experience in responding to government and legislative changes and leading the development of advocacy submissions.
• Proven ability to design and deliver education and training programs to enhance outreach and impact.

Reporting and Compliance:

• Experience in ensuring effective reporting to a Board, providing updates on strategic, operational, and financial performance.
• Proven ability to maintain compliance with legal, regulatory, and funding requirements, and develop and review organisational policies.

Sector Knowledge:

• depth understanding of the challenges and issues faced by working women and vulnerable workers.
• Familiarity with the legal, social, and economic environment in which the Centre operates.

We strongly recommend that you address each selection criteria in your cover letter and use the criteria as headings.

Qualifications:

• Relevant tertiary qualifications in law, gender studies, politics, community development, or a related field or a relevant work experience in such fields.
• Extensive experience in a senior leadership role within the not-for-profit, community services or related sector.

Personal Attributes:

• Strong commitment to social justice and the mission of the WWC SA.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and negotiation skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively and build a positive team environment.
• High level of integrity, professionalism, and ethical conduct.

We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. We will launch our RAP later in the year and creating a culturally safe place for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is an organisational and leadership priority. Cultural leave is a workplace right.

We encourage applications from people of colour.

We encourage applications from all cis and trans women, as well as non-binary people who are comfortable working on advocacy that focuses on the experiences of women.

We encourage applications from disabled applicants. Our new office will is wheelchair accessible and sensory needs will be taken into account.

We encourage LGBTIQ+ applicants.

We encourage applications from survivors of gender violence.

We know that sometimes the best people for the role may not fit the exact selection criteria.

If you have any questions, regarding the role please contact Abbey Kendall, CEO of WWC Australia (and former WWC Director) to discuss. Abbey can be reached at (08) 8410 6499.

A position description is attached.