Job Description

About the Opportunity

This is a full-time contract opportunity until February 2028, working 35 hours per week and based at Uniting’s Alfred Street office in Dubbo, NSW.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced people and program leader to lead a diverse portfolio of Youth Services and Counselling programs across Western NSW.

Working as part of the Western NSW Region’s leadership team, you’ll have the opportunity to influence service delivery, build strong community and sector partnerships and make a meaningful difference to the lives of children, young people and families across the region.

About the role

As the Manager of Youth and Counselling Programs, you’ll provide strategic and operational leadership across a diverse portfolio of funded programs, supporting teams to deliver high-quality, culturally affirmative services and achieve positive outcomes for young people, individuals and families.

You’ll be responsible for the effective delivery and performance of the programs, including meeting contractual targets and KPIs, monitoring expenditure and ensuring services operate within agreed budget parameters. You’ll work closely with internal Uniting stakeholders, and other specialist teams to support effective people management, workforce development and service delivery.

As a member of the Northern & Western NSW Regional leadership team, you’ll represent Uniting across the region, including through interagency forums and sector networks. You’ll develop and strengthen partnerships with government, community and Aboriginal organisations, advocating for the needs of young people and working collaboratively to improve outcomes across the region.

About you

You’re an experienced program leader who brings strong people leadership skills, operational decision making and a genuine commitment to achieving positive outcomes for young people and communities.

• Demonstrated experience leading and managing teams, ideally across diverse programs.
• A relevant Bachelor qualification or equivalent sector experience.
• Strong program management experience, including responsibility for funded programs, contractual targets, KPIs, budgets, compliance and performance.
• Demonstrated experience developing constructive and respectful relationships with Aboriginal people, communities and Aboriginal organisations.
• A strong understanding of the issues affecting young people, including homelessness, disadvantage, family and community circumstances and mental health and wellbeing.
• The ability to support teams through complex matters, manage risk effectively and maintain a strong focus on the safety and wellbeing of staff, children and young people.
• Demonstrated experience leading teams through change, with the resilience and capability to provide clarity, support and direction in a changing funding and service environment.
• Strong understanding of compliance, legislation, government requirements and organisational policies and procedures.
• Excellent communication, negotiation and conflict resolution skills, with the ability to build trust and influence across diverse stakeholder groups.

Benefits and culture

Working to inspire people, enliven communities and confront injustice brings its own rewards, but there’s more.

• Welcoming you exactly as you are
• Work you’ll be proud of
• Salary-packaging options to increase your take-home pay
• Wellbeing programs and support
• Learning and development opportunities
• Diverse and inclusive workplace
• Flexible working arrangements
• Regular supervision, support and team meetings
• Up to 5 ex-gratia days (on top of annual leave) at the end of the year

To be considered

Please upload your resume along with a covering letter responding to the following three Targeted Questions (maximum 2 A4 pages):

TQ1: Please outline your experience leading and supporting teams through change, including how you have maintained team wellbeing, engagement and service delivery.

TQ2: Please demonstrate your experience leading teams and programs across a diverse service portfolio.

TQ3: Please demonstrate your success in working collaboratively with multiple stakeholder groups, including Government and community partners, to advocate for young people and achieve positive outcomes.

Should you have any questions, please contact Alex Sullivan from Uniting’s Talent Acquisition Team on 0466 801 937 or asullivan@uniting.org for more information.

Employment with Uniting is subject to satisfactory background checks, which include National Police Checks, Working with Children Checks and Reference Checks.

Closing date: 11:55pm Sunday 27th September 2026

Who we are

When you’re part of Uniting NSW.ACT, you’re part of a diverse, purpose-led team of people making a real difference in the world around them. We contribute to the work and mission of the Uniting Church in NSW and the ACT through social justice advocacy, community services and spiritual care. Our purpose is to inspire people, enliven communities and confront injustice.

Uniting acknowledges the continuing sovereignty and rich cultural diversity of Australia’s First Peoples. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging, and to all First Peoples on whose lands we live and work.

Uniting is a Child Safe Organisation committed to promoting the safety, wellbeing and inclusion of children and young people.