Taldumande Youth Services (TYS) has been standing alongside young people for more than 50 years — providing specialist support at some of the most critical moments in a young person’s life. Due to internal promotion and continued growth, we are looking for an experienced leader to join TYS as Program Manager – Justice & Families.
ABOUT THE ROLE
Reporting to the Executive Manager – Operations, you will lead a portfolio of justice and family programs across Sydney, overseeing multiple NSW Government contracts and leading Coordinators and their multidisciplinary teams. You bring your practice expertise into the everyday —mentoring Coordinators as leaders and practitioners, ensuring practice frameworks are lived rather than just understood, and that every young person and family receives an excellent response.
YOUR PORTFOLIO
Program leadership across multiple NSW Government contracts delivering:
- Residential and community-based homelessness programs supporting young people aged 12–21
- Community-based justice diversion programs
- Family preservation programs working with young people and their families
WHAT YOU WILL DO
- Mentor and develop Coordinators — building their capability as leaders and practitioners
- Ensure practice frameworks and service standards are embedded in everyday practice across all teams
- Bring your practice expertise to complex cases and challenging situations alongside your teams
- Identify gaps in service delivery and practice — communicate these promptly to the Executive Manager – Operations
- Identify and escalate risks — client safety, workforce, compliance or service delivery — ensuring nothing sits unaddressed
- Oversee and deliver program performance, budgets, compliance and reporting across funded contracts
- Build strong relationships with government personal, justice agencies, courts and community partners
- Champion trauma-informed, culturally safe and child-safe practice across all programs
ABOUT YOU
You are an experienced practitioner who has grown into leadership without losing your connection to what good practice looks like. You are comfortable in the justice and family services landscape,
you see the gaps — in practice, in systems, in service delivery — and you say so. You understand that escalating risk early is one of the most important things a leader at this level can do.
You will bring:
- Demonstrated experience managing programs and leading Coordinators or equivalent middle management roles in justice, family support, homelessness or related community services
- Strong practice knowledge in youth justice or family preservation and the ability to mentor others in trauma-informed, strengths-based and culturally safe approaches
- The ability to translate practice frameworks into everyday team behaviour — not just policy compliance
- A sharp eye for gaps and risks, and the confidence to escalate them appropriately
- Strong people leadership, operational management and stakeholder engagement skills
- Experience driving quality improvement, compliance and performance across funded programs
ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS
- Relevant tertiary qualification in Social Work, Human Services or a related field
-
Minimum 3 years’ experience in a program management or equivalent leadership role
- Current NSW Working with Children Check
- Satisfactory National Criminal History Check
- Current NSW Driver Licence
WHY TALDUMANDE YOUTH SERVICES
- A mission-driven organisation with 50+ years of impact for young people in NSW
- Generous leave entitlements including paid maternity leave and birthday leave
- NFP salary packaging — meaningfully increase your take-home pay
- Clear leadership pathways and real investment in
your development
- A values-led culture that takes the wellbeing of its people seriously
HOW TO APPLY
To apply, please submit your resume and a cover letter addressing the selection criteria.
Taldumande Youth Services is committed to child safety, cultural safety and equal opportunity employment and welcomes applications from people from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) backgrounds.
Applicants must have full working rights to work Australia to be considered.
Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.
