Job Description

Join Our Team as a Program Manager at Saltbush in Alice Springs!

Saltbush is looking for a dynamic Program Manager to lead the REAL Program, delivering culturally safe, trauma-informed services that empower First Nations participants to build skills, strengthen resilience, and create pathways to education, employment and community reconnection.

Position Details:

• Employment Type: Full-time Fixed Term - 1 April 2026 to 30 June 2030
• Location: Alice Springs (with outreach to Barkly Region and Correctional facilities)
• Excellent Remuneration: $100k - $110k + 12% super + salary packaging + 5 weeks annual leave
• Reporting to: Central Australian Operations Manager
• Hours: Normal business hours, with flexibility for additional hours as needed
• Travel: Occasional travel to other Saltbush service locations, as required

About Saltbush: Saltbush Social Enterprises is a not-for-profit organisation based in the Northern Territory, dedicated to supporting individuals as they walk towards brighter futures. Our mission is to uplift and empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, through meaningful employment and community-driven programs.

The Role: The Reconnection, Employment and Learning (REAL) Program – Tracks to Tomorrow supports First Nations people aged 15 years and over transitioning from custodial settings to community. Delivered across pre-release, release and post-release phases, the program provides personalised, culturally safe and trauma-informed support that strengthens pathways to education, training and employment, and supports reconnection with family, community and culture.

The REAL Program Manager is responsible for the day-to-day coordination, quality assurance and performance oversight of the REAL Program. This role ensures service delivery is culturally responsive, compliant and outcome-focused while providing leadership to a multidisciplinary team.

Your primary focus is to support the REAL team in assisting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participants through holistic, culturally respectful case management, connecting participants with tailored support, skill-building opportunities, and sustainable pathways.

This role requires a deep understanding of the barriers participants may face, the ability to foster motivation and engagement, and a commitment to culturally appropriate mentoring practices.

You will oversee all aspects of program operations, including participant engagement, contract compliance, service promotion and stakeholder relationship development. You will ensure program delivery aligns with Saltbush’s values and continuous improvement framework.

You will lead a small team of Mentors, a Counsellor and/or a Social Worker, ensuring the delivery of high-quality support services that enable participants to transition from the justice system into sustainable education, training and employment, while maintaining connection to family, community and culture. You will provide supervision and guidance to ensure services align with participant needs and program objectives.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

To ensure success in your role as a Program Manager you will:

Program Delivery and Coordination

• Coordinate delivery across pre-release, on-release and post-release phases.
• Ensure alignment with the approved Tracks to Tomorrow model and funding agreement.
• Facilitate case management, participant planning, and reflective practice sessions to ensure consistent and culturally appropriate service delivery.
• Support Mentors, Counsellor and/or Social Worker in daily operations, participant engagement and skill development.

Leadership and Team Management

• Provide leadership and supervision to Mentors, Counsellor and/or Social Worker, including performance management, mentoring and professional development.
• Provide support in managing complex participant needs where required.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Manage stakeholder engagement with correctional services, community and service providers.
• Develop and maintain relationships with key internal and external stakeholders to support program outcomes and sustainability.

Compliance and Risk Management

• Oversee compliance with Child Safe Standards, risk management, safeguarding and Saltbush Policies
• Ensure all program activities maintain culturally safe and trauma informed practices.
• Work within an ethical and legal framework and ensure services are provided in line with legislation, policy and procedural requirements, including but not limited to Child Safety Standards.

Performance Planning and Reporting

• Monitor program performance, data collection and reporting requirements.
• Analyse participant outcomes and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives.
• Prepare reports for funding bodies and leadership teams
• Coordinate operational planning and support budget and resource oversight.
• Contribute to workforce planning and operational efficiency to ensure delivery meets program objectives and funding requirements

Essential Selection Criteria:

• Demonstrated experience working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People.
• Proven ability to build trusting relationships with individuals who present with multiple and complex needs.
• Sound understanding and application of trauma-informed, culturally safe approaches to support and mentoring.
• Experience coordinating complex community or justice-related programs.
• Strong understanding of trauma-informed and culturally safe practice.
• Demonstrated leadership and team coordination capability.
• Experience with funding contracts, compliance and reporting.
• High-level communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Excellent organisational skills with the ability to prioritise tasks, meet deadlines, and work effectively both independently and within a team.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to engage via email, social media, phone, presentations and reports.

Highly Desirable Criteria:

• Tertiary qualification in community services, social work or related discipline.
• Experience working with custodial or justice environments.
• Experience in employment, reintegration, youth services or community-based programs.
• Knowledge of the Northern Territory justice and parole systems.
• Experience supervising multidisciplinary teams.
• Local knowledge of Central Australia services.

Ready to Make a Difference? We’re looking for someone who’s ready to start this journey with us. If that sounds like you, we’d love to hear from you.

Interviews will begin as soon as we find the right people, so don’t wait, reach out today.

Employment is Subject to Providing the following:

• National Police Clearance (no more than three months old)
• NT Working with Children (OCHRE) Card
• Current Driver’s Licence
• Current First Aid

How to Apply: Share your resume and answer all Employer Questions or provide a one page Cover Letter.

Contact Us: If you have any questions or want to talk more about this opportunity, give us a call on 0455 110 500 or email recruitment@saltbushnt.org.au