Job Description

Refuge Manager

Full Time | Eastern Suburbs | SCHADS Level 8 + Super + Salary Packaging | Accrued Day Off (ADO) eligibility

Lead a passionate team making a life-changing difference for women and children escaping family violence.

ABOUT US

Refuge Victoria is one of Victoria’s largest providers of specialist family violence services. For 50 years, we’ve been supporting women and children escaping family violence through, intensive case management, crisis accommodation and holistic, wraparound support. We operate three refuge facilities, 15 crisis properties, and have nomination rights to approximately 35 transitional homes, all designed to empower people to live safe and free.

Refuge Victoria is committed to the principles of cultural safety and inclusion of all people from diverse backgrounds and to the safety and inclusion of those with a disability.

THE ROLE

As Refuge Manage, you’ll lead a highly skilled, collaborative team delivering 24/7 refuge accommodation and intensive support services to people escaping family violence.

You’ll be responsible for:

• Leading a multidisciplinary team of around 7 people comprising of case managers, children and young people’s practitioners, nurse educator and a team leader
• Overseeing risk assessments, safety planning, needs assessments and exit planning
• Managing daily operations of refuge sites, including property readiness, staffing and on-call support
• Ensuring compliance with family violence service standards, funding agreements and legislative requirements
• Fostering a supportive, high-performing team culture through supervision, training and reflective practice
• Building strong networks and partnerships with referring agencies, community organisations and key stakeholders
• Participating in the back-up on-call roster and after-hours support as required
• Providing strategic advice to management and contributing to management team meetings
• Embedding trauma-informed, strengths-based, and culturally responsive practices

About you
You’re an experienced, compassionate leader who thrives in a dynamic, fast paced, mission-driven environment. You bring a trauma-informed approach and are skilled at balancing operational oversight with meaningful, client-centred leadership.

You’ll have:

• A bachelor’s degree in social work or a related discipline (meeting minimum mandatory qualifications in Recommendation 209 of the Family Violence Royal Commission)
• 3+ years’ leadership experience in a complex service environment
• Experience working in family violence, homelessness, youth or similar sectors
• Strong risk assessment, case management and decision-making skills
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage and influence stakeholders at all levels
• A current Victorian Driver’s Licence
• Passion for empowering women and children and creating safe, inclusive spaces

This position is open to women only, in line with the Equal Opportunity Act 2010 (Vic), Sections 12 and 28.

What we offer

• At Refuge Victoria, you’ll combine your professional expertise with your personal values in a role that transforms lives. As part of our team, you’ll have access to:
• SCHADS Level 8 salary + superannuation
• Full-time, permanent role based Outer East Suburbs
• Up to $15,900 salary packaging + $2,650 meals & entertainment card
• Accrued Days Off (ADOs)
• Regular supervision, reflective practice and management support
• Access to Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Ongoing professional development opportunities
• A supportive, trauma-informed, values-driven workplace

Key Selection Criteria

• A tertiary qualification in social work, psychology or related discipline at degree level that meets the minimum mandatory qualifications.
• Extensive experience in leading a team within the family violence sector, ideally in crisis response and refuge.
• A proven track record of leading a team working within a case management framework and demonstrated understanding of comprehensive risk assessment
• An awareness of the gendered nature of violence and the impact of family violence on women and their children
• Strong communication and written skills and the capacity to negotiate and build relationships with a range of professionals and services
• Skilled in providing support, supervision, coaching and training for direct service delivery staff
• Excellent risk identification and management skills
• Demonstrated ability to provide team leadership and lead a multidiscipline team.
• Experience in overseeing and managing facilities/office areas/refuge/properties is desired.

Ready to apply?
For a confidential discussion about the role please contact Carmen, Director of Services on 03 9118 0311

To apply, submit your resume and a cover letter addressing the above key selection criteria. Only successful candidates will be contacted.

Refuge Victoria is committed to child safety, diversity, and inclusion. If you require adjustments to the recruitment and selection process or need an alternative format to any of the application material, please don't hesitate to get in touch with our team, hr@refugevictoria.org.au

The successful applicant will need to undertake a national police check, referee checks, and have a Working with Children Check.

At Refuge Victoria, we celebrate diversity in ethnicity, social experience, genders, sexual orientation, cultural and linguistic backgrounds, religious beliefs, ages and abilities and welcome talent from all backgrounds. Help us continue to build our unique, inclusive, and diverse team!