Area Manager

time left to apply End Date: September 19, 2025 (24 days left to apply)

job requisition id JR104618

• $138,818 + super + NFP salary packaging benefits + business car
• Permanent Full Time Contract
• 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 advocate for a fairer Australia, to meet the growing needs of people across the country. Together we're building hope and possibility for all. Find out more about us and our purpose .

We are seeking a dynamic and strategic Area Manager – Greater Darwin to lead our dedicated teams across a diverse portfolio of community services supporting people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

This is an on-site position primarily based at Mission Australia's Darwin Office with opportunities to work from our key service hubs. As a values driven and innovative leader, you will hold an essential leadership role with responsibility for three programs across three key locations, providing high-level strategic and operational leadership to ensure services are delivered to a high standard, in line with funding requirements and aligned to Mission Australia's values and vision.

You will lead and develop a team of frontline managers, nurturing a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement. Your role will involve driving workforce planning, resource allocation, compliance, and contract performance while navigating complex service environments. As a key representative of Mission Australia in the Greater Darwin region, you will also build and maintain strong partnerships with government stakeholders, funders, community organisations, and sector peers.

This is a highly visible leadership opportunity for a proactive, and strategic operator who thrives in complexity and is passionate about delivering tangible outcomes for people and communities in need.

Your Key Responsibilities

• Lead the performance of operations and contract delivery across multiple services in the defined geography, managing up to 3 direct reports and a team of up to 35 staff.
• Provide operational and strategic direction for service contracts, ensuring they are delivered within funding guidelines and meet compliance and quality standards.
• Partner with internal stakeholders (HR, Finance, Service Delivery Support Teams) to ensure consistency, compliance, and continuous improvement across all services.
• Oversee the development, preparation, and monitoring of operational budgets, reporting on service performance and addressing underperformance.
• Support the Regional Leader and State Director in contract negotiations and provide strategic insights regarding workforce capacity and service delivery capabilities.
• Drive workforce planning, recruitment, retention, succession planning, and the professional development of frontline managers and service teams.
• Manage stakeholder relationships with local/state government, funding bodies, and community organisations to build the Mission Australia presence and advocate for client needs.
• Contribute to local service strategy aligned with national direction; identify opportunities for growth and innovation across the service portfolio.
• Promote and model values-based leadership to build a culture of openness, accountability, and high performance.
• Take an active role in regional committees, sector groups, or membership bodies to represent Mission Australia and influence local service outcomes.
• Provide upline on-call support and maintain visibility across all services under your leadership.

Requirementsfor Success

• Tertiary qualifications in Community Services, or a related field, and equivalent experience.
• Minimum of 3-5 years' management experience in the community services or not-for-profit sector, preferably overseeing medium-sized, geographically dispersed teams.
• Experience and knowledge of First Nations cultural systems and protocols.
• Demonstrated success in leading multiple programs and contracts in a fast-paced, compliance-driven environment.
• Proven ability to deliver business outcomes on time and within budget while managing competing priorities and tight deadlines.
• Extensive experience in people management, coaching, and developing frontline leaders through periods of change.
• Strong understanding of government contracting processes and legislative frameworks within the community sector.
• Highly effective interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to tailor messaging for diverse audiences and build strong collaborative relationships.
• Sound knowledge of financial and resource management processes, including the use of Microsoft Office Suite.
• Strong local and Territory-level knowledge of social issues impacting people that are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
• Demonstrated capacity to observe, identify and act on business opportunities and service gaps.
• A proactive, action-oriented, and solution-focused leadership style with a commitment to Mission Australia's values.
• A current unrestricted driver's licence is essential.

Before starting work with us, you will need to undertake a national police history check, qualifications, and referee checks, and have a clearance to work with children/vulnerable people.

To ensure our employees feel valued, empowered, and celebrated, we provide a range of employee benefits including:

• Rewarding work – every day you know you're making a real difference
• Not-for-profit salary packaging, reducing your tax (details via AccessPay )
• 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 prioritise 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.

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

To be considered for this opportunity, click 'apply' and send your application today

Applications for this role are shortlisted as received and we are interviewing through the advertising period. Please apply as soon as possible to be considered. Thank you

Mission Australia is a national Christian charity motivated by a shared vision of an Australia where everyone has a safe home and can thrive.

Since 1859, we've been standing alongside people in need across Australia, offering real hope that has lasting impact.

Backed by our supporters, churches, partners, and funders, we work together for the long-term wellbeing of anyone who needs us, reflecting our values of respect, compassion, integrity, perseverance and celebration.

We collaborate with people experiencing homelessness or disadvantage to tackle the root causes of their challenges through providing access to safe, affordable homes and innovative, evidence-based support services.

Every day we deliver homelessness crisis and prevention services, provide social and affordable housing, assist struggling families and children, address mental health issues, fight substance dependencies, support people with disability and much more.

Mission Australia believes a person's circumstances shouldn't define their future and that given the right support, everyone can reach their full potential.

That's why we stand together with Australians in need, until they can stand for themselves.