Overview
Director - Thriving Families in the Thriving Families SA Initiative. We are seeking a Director to provide strategic leadership and operational oversight with a competitive package and an employer contribution of 17% superannuation. 3 years fixed term, full-time with possible extension.
The BetterStart Group at Adelaide University9s School of Public Health seeks a dynamic Director to lead the Thriving Families SA Initiative. We are looking for a leader who is passionate about collaboration, innovation and social justice—someone who can guide multi-sector partnerships and champion a culture of learning and adaptation. If you are ready to make a meaningful impact by supporting system reform to enable families and communities to thrive, join us in driving lasting change for South Australia’s future.
Thriving Families brings together nearly 60 non-government organisations committed to transforming how South Australia supports the wellbeing of children, young people, families and communities. The Director will provide strategic leadership to support system change focused on prevention and early support. You will work closely with the Thriving Families Director of Aboriginal Leadership to embed Aboriginal leadership and shared decision making, affirming the cultural authority of Aboriginal communities in shaping solutions for their children and families.
BetterStart is an interdisciplinary team based in the School of Public Health at Adelaide University, with expertise spanning epidemiology, psychology, social work and public health. Our focus is on improving wellbeing across the first 1000 days of life, early childhood education, child protection, mental health and social equity, generating evidence to inform policy and practice that benefits children, young people, families and communities.
To be successful you will need
To be a bold, strategic leader with the vision, courage and credibility to drive long-term change in the systems that support children, young people, families and communities. You will bring:
- Proven ability to steward and lead system change – designing, planning, and delivering cross-sector reforms that shift the system toward prevention and early support. You will champion cultural safety, trauma-informed and strengths-based approaches, and establish robust governance and accountability to support adaptive delivery.
- Strong collaboration and partnership skills – able to build trust and work authentically across government, NGOs, Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations, philanthropy, academia, and with people with lived experience. You know how to navigate complexity, balance diverse perspectives, and guide co-design and place-based innovation.
- A track record of driving innovation – fostering a culture of experimentation, learning and adaptation across programs, policy and practice. You can draw on evidence and practice wisdom to test and refine new approaches that improve outcomes for children, young people, families and communities.
- The ability to influence and advocate – representing Thriving Families at the highest levels, aligning policy, funding, service delivery and community activation to achieve systemic change at scale.
- Experience in securing and growing resources – with the skills to identify and pursue funding opportunities, develop compelling proposals, and build sustainable partnerships to strengthen Thriving Families’ impact.
The path to Adelaide University
We are on an exciting path to Adelaide University as we prepare to open our doors in January 2026. Adelaide University will combine the strengths of the University of Adelaide and the University of South Australia, and we are dedicated to creating an accessible and future-focused educational powerhouse that fosters economic and social wellbeing through ground-breaking research and innovative teaching. You can learn more about Adelaide University and more information will be provided throughout the recruitment process.
Career environment and culture
We offer a uniquely rewarding workplace with breadth of education and research programs and extensive collaborations with industry, government and community. The environment supports a long, fulfilling career, attracts high-caliber people, and fosters collaboration and innovation. Our culture welcomes all and embraces diversity in line with our Staff Values and Behaviour Framework and our core values of integrity, respect, collegiality, excellence and discovery. We promote flexibility to balance work, personal and family life. We offer a range of benefits, including salary packaging, flexible work arrangements, career development, and on-campus health and fitness facilities.
Learn more at: Adelaide University jobs portal.
Your faculty9s broader role
The Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences contains a large concentration of leading health researchers, teachers and clinical titleholders, with eight schools and multiple institutes focused on world-class research and training for health professionals.
If you have the talent, we will provide the opportunity. Click Apply Now to submit a cover letter, resume and a document addressing the selection criteria.
Applications close 11:55pm, Tuesday 7 October 2025.
The University reserves the right to close this advertisement before the closing date if a suitable candidate is identified.
For further information
Interested applicants can contact for a position description. For a confidential discussion, contact Associate Professor Rhiannon Pilkington, BetterStart Group, School of Public Health, Co-Lead, Thriving Families, University of Adelaide. E:
We are an Equal Employment Opportunity employer committed to providing a working environment that embraces and values diversity and inclusion. Female applicants, people with a disability and/or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who meet the requirements of this position are strongly encouraged to apply. If you have any support or access requirements, please advise us at time of application.
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📌 Director: Thriving Families in the Thriving Families SA Initiative
🏢 University Of Adelaide
📍 Australia