Operations Manager Living Learning

**About the Opportunity**:
Living Learning is Melbourne City Mission’s first outcomes funded program under a Social Impact Bond (SIB) structure. The Victorian Government’s Partnership Addressing Disadvantage (PAD) contract and the Implementation Agreement (IA) along with the associated operating manual outline the program and the funding model for Living Learning. Living Learning works with young people who are persistently not in employment education or training (NEET) and who have a mental health condition. Through the supports offered by Living Learning (mental health supports, Key Worker supports and specialist education supports) the aim of the program is to re-engage young people into HHA, to stabilise their mental health and work with them over three years to achieve various cost savings for government and education and health success for the young people.

This Operations Manager position is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operational management of LL and the related employees and budgets. As a leadership role, the Operations Manager is expected to operate under limited direction from management and undertake a range of functions for which operational practices and guidelines may need to be developed. The Operations Manager will have responsibility for decision making for the LL team, in line with divisional and MCM strategic plans, and will provide expert advice relating to LL service provision. The role will oversee directly the client facing support staff, as well play an integral role in implementing and further developing the LL model and overseeing the evaluation processes of the program to ensure that the required data is documented enabling measurable outcomes to be achieved and an evidence base for replication to be garnered. The appointee will be expected to commit to Melbourne City Mission’s Mission, Vision and Values and align their work to the organisation’s strategic objectives.

**About you**:
We are looking for someone who can:

- Exercise a high level of responsibility for the work undertaken by all employees within the LL program, including undertaking the planning, direction, management, and evaluation of LL operations.
- Manage critical incidents safely, provide support and direction to employees and young people in times of crisis.
- Provide leadership and expert advice to employees working with young people with multiple and complex needs, and support employees to develop comprehensive care plans and risk assessments for all young people.
- Continually develop, maintain and role model a positive workplace culture.
- Provide high quality leadership, supervision, and development for employees in the LL.
- Ensure LL is a safe environment and workplace for all employees and young people.
- In collaboration with the Head of Social Innovation Programs develop, implement, and report on the LL’s operational plan, as well as priorities from the division’s strategic plan.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with service providers, partner services and agencies.

**Benefits of working with MCM include**:

- Diverse and inclusive organisation
- Attractive Salary Packaging benefits
- Supportive learning and development environment
- Culture of continuous improvement

**Essential**:

- A Bachelor qualification in Social Work, Youth Work, Occupational Therapy, Psychology or a related tertiary qualification.
- A demonstrated ability to lead, guide, supervise and support employees with a sound understanding of supervision guidelines and best practice principles, ideally in community services or related field.
- Sound theoretical practice in working with young people experiencing homelessness and complex case management based on best practice and current theory.
- Understanding or experience working with young people at risk or experiencing homelessness and disengagement from education, including knowledge of trauma informed approaches.
- Experience and understanding of developing and leading programs to achieve exceptional outcomes, including managing staffing, budgets, reporting and accountability.An extensive understanding of the relevant service system with knowledge of patterns, trends and systemic issues, and principles in working with at risk young people.
- Highly developed skills and experience in risk and needs assessment and risk management.
- Knowledge of the legislative requirements when working with at risk young people.

**Screening Criteria**:

- National Police check
- Working with Children check
- Valid Victorian Drivers license
- Right to Work in Australia

**About MCM**:
MCM is an inclusive and equal opportunity employer with a strong commitment to safety. MCM embraces differences because we know that diversity and inclusion help us to attract, recruit, engage and retain talented people.
We are a leading not-for profit-for-purpose organisation that offer a broad range of services in Early Years, Disability, Homelessness, Palliative Care and Educati