Program Manager

• Permanent Full-Time position

• Location: Bungalow, Cairns QLD 4870

• Salary: $125,648.31 Base Salary + Super + not-for-profit salary packaging benefits

• Make a meaningful difference to the lives of Australians in need

Life at Mission Australia

When you join the team at Mission Australia, you become part of a community who are determined to end homelessness and ensure people in need can thrive. United by our Christian purpose and values, we advocate for a fairer Australia to meet the growing needs of people across the country. Together we’re building hope and possibility for all. 

Find out more about us and our purpose.

Your opportunity

As Program Manager, you'll oversee three established homelessness programs, including After Hours Outreach Service, Immediate Housing Response and Going Places. Leading a team of approximately 30 employees, you'll drive high-quality service delivery, strengthen partnerships across the community and ensure programs achieve meaningful outcomes for people experiencing homelessness.

You'll work closely with local service providers, housing organisations, government departments and community partners to ensure people can access the support they need when they need it most. From responding to immediate needs through to supporting longer-term housing outcomes, you'll play an important role in strengthening homelessness services across the region.

This is a hands-on leadership role where you'll balance people leadership, operational oversight, stakeholder relationships and service performance. You'll be part of a local team that is committed to delivering quality services and positive outcomes for the Cairns community.

Your key responsibilities will be to

• Lead, manage and develop multiple community service programs to deliver high-quality and contractually compliant services.

• Provide leadership, coaching and support to a large team of employees while fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement.

• Oversee service delivery to ensure programs meet funding requirements, quality standards, KPIs and client outcome targets.

• Build and maintain effective relationships with key internal and external stakeholders, including government agencies, community partners and local service providers.

• Manage budgets, resources and operational priorities to ensure services remain sustainable and responsive to community needs.

• Identify opportunities for service improvement and contribute to strategy, innovation and continuous improvement initiatives.

• Monitor and report on service performance, risks, opportunities and outcomes.

Requirements for success

• Relevant degree, diploma or equivalent experience in Community Services, Social Work, Human Services or a related field.

• Significant experience leading and managing teams within a complex community services or human services environment.

• Demonstrated experience managing service delivery, compliance, program performance and funding outcomes.

• Experience managing budgets, financial performance and operational resources.

• Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship management skills, with the ability to work collaboratively across sectors.

• Excellent leadership, communication and people management capabilities.

• Experience working within the Cairns Homelessness sector is desirable.

• Current driver's licence with no restrictions

Before starting work with us, you will need to undertake a national police history check, qualifications, and referee checks, and have a clearance to work with children/vulnerable people.

Your benefits

To ensure our employees feel valued, empowered, and celebrated, we provide a range of employee benefits including: 

• Rewarding work – every day you know you’re making a real difference

• Not-for-profit salary packaging, reducing your tax (details via AccessPay)

• Free external, confidential counselling and access to chaplaincy support.

• Volunteering opportunities  

• Extra leave available including an additional public holiday, additional annual leave day on your work anniversary and the opportunity to purchase further annual leave.

Our culture

Our innovative and inclusive culture will ensure you feel valued at Mission Australia as you help Australians in need and develop in your career.

We prioritise the safety and wellbeing of everyone, both within our team and the individuals we serve.

We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive working environment. We actively support and encourage people of all backgrounds; gender, age, ethnicity, race, cultural background, disability, religion, and sexual orientation to submit an application and aim to ensure that the recruitment and employee experience is as accessible and inclusive as possible. So, whoever you are, if you’re skilled and actively support our purpose and values, you would be welcome at Mission Australia.

If you live with disability and require support to submit your application, please email [email protected] or visit our Careers page for additional contact details.

We strongly encourage applications from people who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander. For culturally safe support or assistance with your application, please contact us at [email protected]  

Find out more about a career with Mission Australia. 

How to apply

Click 'Apply' and send your application today!

As a committed Circle Back Initiative employer, we will respond to your application.

Applications are shortlisted as they are received. Please apply as soon as possible to be considered. Thank you