Lead culturally safe, youth-focused programs that strengthen community wellbeing
Njernda Aboriginal Corporation at Echuca is seeking a dynamic and culturally knowledgeable Youth and Well-being Services Manager to lead a diverse portfolio of programs supporting Aboriginal young people, families, and community.
This leadership role oversees a range of wellbeing, justice, engagement, and cultural programs, ensuring services are culturally safe, trauma-aware, and responsive to community needs.
The role provides strategic and operational management of staff, trainees, and programs -working closely with the CEO, Elders, internal teams, and key external partners to deliver strong, positive outcomes for young people.
Identified Role – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants only
In this role, you will:
Lead day-to-day operations and strategic planning across youth, wellbeing, justice, and engagement programs
Build a positive, culturally strong workplace culture and support staff training and development
Ensure trauma-aware, culturally appropriate, and compliant service delivery
Manage budgets, staffing, reporting, KPIs, and program performance
Strengthen partnerships with ACCOs, mainstream services, justice agencies, schools, and community stakeholders
About You:
Tertiary qualifications in youth work, social work, community services, child/family services or similar
Strong understanding of Aboriginal culture, community needs, and youth wellbeing
Demonstrated leadership in multidisciplinary, high-pressure service environments
Knowledge of youth justice, child protection, mental health and the Children, Youth & Families Act
Excellent communication, staff management, conflict resolution, and partnership-building skills
Lead culturally safe, youth-centred services that empower Aboriginal young people and strengthen community wellbeing.
Selection Criteria
Essential:
Qualifications
* Tertiary qualifications in the field of children and youth services, social work, social welfare, community services and or/ residential care
Skills
* Demonstrated capacity and knowledge of managing intensive support program relevant to children, youth, and well-being services.
* Demonstrated knowledge and understanding Aboriginal culture and issues relating to the needs of Aboriginal families in the area.
* Demonstrated understanding of the Children, Youth and Families Act and child protection procedures.
* Demonstrated understanding of and working with the relevant legislations and acts pertaining to youth justice, child protection and the mental health system.
* Demonstrated ability to connect with Aboriginal communities and carers in cultural appropriate manner.
* Ability to work effectively in complex, crisis-driven, multi-disciplinary, high-pressure situations with diverse groups, especially children, youth, families and diverse groups, with complex needs.
* Demonstrated experience in program planning, design, development implementation
* Experience in budgeting, financial control, and providing clear written reports and statistical data, coupled with well-developed computer skills (Microsoft Word and Excel).
* An ability to conduct professional supervision, assess staff learning needs, review performance, and address staff Human Resource issues including performance issues.
* Proven leadership, verbal and written communications skills with the ability to manage and develop staff, advocate, mediate, and resolve conflicts, while communicating effectively across diverse backgrounds.
* Demonstrated ability develop and work collaboratively partnerships with external parties
Experience
* 5 years of experience in a similar role or significant relevant experience
Satisfactory evidence of:
* Pre-employment checks not limited to at least two professional referees
* Proof of identity and qualifications
* National police check, Working with Children's Check, full Victorian driver's license
* Disclosure of any pre-existing illness/injury and vaccination status in line with Njernda's current policy and procedure
* As applicable – eligibility to work in Australia, professional/regulatory licenses, registration and current good standing, and clearance on aged care banning orders.
Desirable
* Work experience in regional Australia.
Please submit your application via Seek by December 21, 2025, including your resume and a cover letter addressing the Selection Criteria, as well as the details for at least two referees.