Permanent Full time| 35 hours per week
Location: Hybrid and working from any Housing State Office (Sydney, Coffs Harbour or Hobart)
Salary: $140K + Super + NFP salary packaging benefits
Make a meaningful difference to the lives of Australians in need

Life at Mission Australia

When you join the team at Mission Australia, you become part of a community who are determined to end homelessness and ensure people in need can thrive. United by our Christian purpose and values, we stand together with anyone who needs us, for as long as they need us. Find out more about us and our purpose.

Your Opportunity

Mission Australia Housing provides social and affordable housing to vulnerable Australians ensuring they have access to good quality housing that enables people to participate in their communities

As the National Manager Community Development Strategy, you will champion community growth and resilience by designing, implementing, and evaluating innovative community development models. This influential role provides strategic advice to senior leaders, develops and scales evidence-based programs, and drives collaboration across Mission Australia Housing and broader Mission Australia teams.

Your key responsibilities will be to:

Lead the design, development, and implementation of a national Community Development and Engagement Strategy aligned with organisational goals
Provide expert strategic guidance on Community Development and Strengthening Communities across all Mission Australia Housing sites
Ensure community development initiatives are delivered collaboratively with tenancy management, asset management, and support services using an integrated service delivery framework
Develop, pilot, and evaluate innovative community development models that are scalable, evidence-based, and aligned to organisational goals
Establish and implement systems to measure and report on individual and community outcomes across all housing communities
Work collaboratively with national and regional teams, local community stakeholders, and external partners to drive sustainable community outcomes
Identify and pursue funding opportunities (including grants and partnerships) to support the implementation and expansion of community development initiatives.
Measuring outcomes, building evidence, and sharing insights to inform future services.

Requirements for Success

Tertiary qualifications in community development, social work or a related discipline
Minimum 5 years’ of demonstrated experience in a community development role
Experience in designing and developing community development strategies ideally in a social housing context
Demonstrated experience in planning and delivering community programs
High-level communication and stakeholder engagement skills – able to influence and collaborate across internal teams and with external partners.
Strong project and change management skills, with the ability to deliver results in a fast-paced and evolving environment
Passionate about social impact, community empowerment, and social inclusion.
Culturally responsive and able to engage effectively with diverse communities, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Proactive approach to identifying improvement opportunities and implementing best practice solutions
Drivers licence with no restrictions

Before starting work with us, you will need to undertake a national police history check, qualifications, work rights and reference checks.

Your benefits

Rewarding work – every day you know you’re making a real difference
Not-for-profit salary packaging, reducing your tax (details via AccessPay)
Free external, confidential counselling and access to chaplaincy support
Volunteering opportunities
Extra leave available including an additional public holiday, additional annual leave day on your work anniversary and the opportunity to purchase further annual leave

Our culture

Our innovative and inclusive culture will ensure you feel valued at Mission Australia as you help Australians in need and develop in your career.

We prioritize the safety and wellbeing of everyone, both within our team and the individuals we serve.

We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive working environment. We actively support and encourage people of all backgrounds; gender, age, ethnicity, race, cultural background, disability, religion, and sexual orientation to submit an application and aim to ensure that the recruitment and employee experience is as accessible and inclusive as possible. So, whoever you are, if you’re skilled and actively support our purpose and values, you would be welcome at Mission Australia.

If you live with disability and require support to submit your application, please email talentattraction@missionaustralia.com.au or visit our Careers page for additional contact details.

We Strongly encourage applications from people who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander. For culturally safe support or assistance with your application, please contact us at deadlycareers@missionaustralia.com.au

How to apply

Click ‘Apply’ and send your application today!

As a committed Circle Back Initiative employer, we will respond to your application.

Applications are shortlisted as they are received. Please apply as soon as possible to be considered. Thank you