Youth Program Manager

A bit about the role

The Youth Employment Program Manager is an exciting new senior leadership opportunity responsible for providing both strategic and operational support to strengthen and scale Youth Projects' employment and training services across Greater Melbourne.

As part of the senior leadership team, this role oversees the design, delivery, and evaluation of multiple youth-focused programs that may include case management, employment, education, or skills development initiatives.

This role brings together people, purpose, and performance, ensuring each program not only meets contractual and compliance obligations but delivers genuine impact for young people, employers, and the wider community. The Youth Program Manager will play a key role in standardising practices, improving consistency in delivery and reporting as well as ensuring programs are well-resourced, collaborative and outcomes-driven.

Working closely with Project Leads and key partners across multiple functions, the successful candidate will design and help deliver purpose-built programs that empower young people to build skills, gain confidence, and secure meaningful employment. Through collaboration with industry, education providers, and community stakeholders, the role ensures every program is responsive to the aspirations of young people and the evolving needs of the local labour markets.

Key Selection Criteria

• Demonstrated experience in managing multi-site, multi-stream programs or projects.
• Proven ability to lead and develop high performing teams toward achieving outcomes and meeting goals.
• Demonstrated understanding of employment, training and youth engagement programs.
• Experience managing grants or funded initiatives, including compliance, budgets, and stakeholder relations.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with experience representing organisations externally.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with internal departments to achieve shared goals.
• Commitment to youth-centred practice and continuous improvement.

A bit about you

• You're passionate about youth empowerment, social justice, and community impact.
• A confident leader who inspires trust and collaboration.
• An analytical and strategic thinker with strong problem-solving ability.
• Are resilient and adaptable, comfortable in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
• Transparent, ethical, and accountable in all actions.
• Proactive and innovative, with a continuous improvement mindset.

Want to challenge yourself and see what real change looks like? Come join the Youth Projects Team.

A bit about us

We are an independent, registered charity providing front line support to vulnerable and at-risk individuals across Melbourne to open pathways out of poverty and homelessness – breaking the cycle of disadvantage. Our work is focused on respect, trauma informed, client-centred care and harm prevention. Through our holistic model of care, we support people to live longer, healthier lives with meaningful employment and a stronger sense of belonging, safety, and security.

Why should you work with us?

At Youth Projects we are very lucky to have a highly passionate and big energy team. We love what we do and we have fun doing it, all the while keeping things professional We are dedicated to providing a flexible environment to help you get on top of your work-life balance and we prioritise personal development every step of the way by providing regular training and internal development opportunities Most importantly, every day you get to see the way your work impacts real people in your community. But wait, there's more

• Free & locally roasted coffee at the office, every day 
• Generous salary packaging benefits to boost your take home pay
• PLUS additional tax-free salary packaging on meals & entertainment expenses
• 17.5% Annual Leave Loading to help you live your best life on your holidays
• Employee wellbeing initiatives like the Employee Assistance Program 
• Additional paid leave for caregiving, wellbeing, family violence, study PLUS an extra five personal leave days

Have you made it this far?

If you're still reading, we think there's a strong chance you might be our kind of person.

 Send through your resume & Cover Letter by clicking "Apply for the Job. 

Recruitment for this position will be undertaken as applications are received, and only successful applicants will be notified. Please note that it is a requirement of all Youth Projects positions that the successful applicant holds a valid Working Children's Check or Police Check. 

Our commitment to diversity: At Youth Projects, we value diversity and believe that people from a range of backgrounds bring a variety of ideas, perspectives, and experiences that will enhance our effectiveness. We promote a workplace that actively seeks to include, welcome, and value unique contributions and encourage applications from candidates with disabilities, culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and Indigenous candidates. 

Safety screening: Youth Projects is committed to being a child-safe organisation, providing an environment where all young people who come into contact with the organisation feel safe. Youth Projects has zero tolerance.