Aspect (Autism Spectrum Australia) is one of Australia’s largest autism-specific service providers, with one of the biggest autism-specific school programs in the world. A not-for-profit organisation, we work in partnership with people of all ages on the autism spectrum, and their families to deliver evidence-informed solutions that are person-centred, family-focused and customer driven.
At Aspect we recognise a different brilliant®, where we seek to understand, engage and celebrate the strengths, interests and aspirations of people on the autism spectrum.
Positive Partnerships is a national project funded by the Australian Government Department of Education. We’re delivered by Aspect. We work in partnership with families, educators and communities to strengthen positive outcomes for autistic young people. We create connections and opportunities for an inclusive culture where autistic students belong and thrive.
The Program Director, Positive Partnerships provides strategic leadership and holds overall accountability for the successful delivery of Positive Partnerships across the 2026–2029 contract period.
The role leads the national program, maintains the strategic relationship with the Australian Government Department of Education and ensures all contractual, financial, quality and reporting obligations are met. Working closely with Aspect's People and Culture, Finance, Marketing and Communications, and IT teams, the Program Director will ensure the program remains evidence-informed, responsive to the needs of families, educators and communities, and informed by Autistic perspectives and lived experience.
This is a full-time, maximum-term contract opportunity through to September 2029, with commencement as soon as possible. The successful candidate will be supported through a planned transition, with the current Program Director available to provide handover, mentoring and program continuity through to March 2027.
This role may be based anywhere in Australia; however, the successful candidate must be located within reasonable proximity to a major metropolitan centre to support regular travel and stakeholder engagement.
Competitive remuneration package will be discussed with shortlisted candidates.
Click here to view the full position profile.
You’ll also need a current Working with Children Check (for state/territory of residence) (paid for by employee) and National Police Check (paid for by Aspect).
To apply: Click the “I’m Interested” button and submit your application; a cover letter is optional. Applications close Friday 9 October 2026.
Aspect reserves the right to interview and appoint at any stage during the recruitment process.
Aspect is committed to increasing the number of Autistic staff and providing an inclusive workplace where everyone can feel that they belong. We encourage candidates from all backgrounds including, but not limited to, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, neurodivergent people, people with a disability, the LGBTQIA+ community and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, to apply. We have a range of universal strategies to meet the needs of different people in our hiring processes, and are happy to individualise these.
Enquiries to: Karen Doak, Chief People Officer on kdoak@aspect.org.au.
Learn more about Positive Partnerships: www.positivepartnerships.com.au
The Royal Children's Hospital (RCH) has been providing outstanding care for Victoria's children and their families for over 147 years.
We are the major specialist paediatric hospital in Victoria and our care extends to children from Tasmania, southern New South Wales and other states around Australia and overseas.
With a passionate, highly skilled and committed staff campus wide of over 5,000, we provide a full range of clinical services, tertiary care and health promotion and prevention programs for children and young people.
We are the designated state-wide major trauma centre for paediatrics in Victoria and a Nationally Funded Centre for cardiac and liver transplantation.
When it comes to training and research we partner with the very best. Our campus partners, the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute (MCRI) and The University of Melbourne Department of Paediatrics, along with the RCH Foundation, are on site with the hospital in Parkville. Together, we are committed to improving the health outcomes for children today and in the future.
In 2016–17, more than 85,654 children attended our Emergency Department, 322,291 specialist clinic appointments were held which was almost 70,000 more than the previous year, more than 17,000 surgeries were performed and more than 48,552 children were admitted to our wards.
