State Program Services Manager NSW

Assistance Dogs Australia has a clear purpose – To empower connection, inclusion and independence for people with a disability.

Are you a passionate and experienced leader ready to make a meaningful impact in the lives of people living with disabilities? Join Assistance Dogs Australia (ADA) and help deliver life-changing outcomes through our world-class Assistance Dogs Program.

We're looking for a dynamic State Program Services Manager to lead the delivery of our programs and services across New South Wales. In this key leadership role, you'll oversee service delivery, manage a dedicated team, and ensure our programs meet the highest standards in client outcomes, animal welfare, meeting and exceeding international accreditation standards.

About Us

ASSISTANCE DOGS AUSTRALIA (ADA) is a growing and globally respected national not-for-profit organisation that values its team members and is committed to fostering a positive and inclusive workplace culture. We are currently seeking an experienced Program Services leader to join our NSW Operations team and play a key role in the delivery of our overarching Assistance Dogs strategy.

Our dogs are expertly trained to support people with physical disabilities, PTSD and children with Autism and are internationally accredited to the highest standard. We also provide a range of services such as dogs in animal assisted programs, education and facility support both in schools and correctional centres.

About the role

The State Program Services Manager NSW plays a pivotal leadership role in the delivery of ADA's Assistance Dogs Program and services across New South Wales. This role is integral to achieving effective client outcomes, maintaining the highest standards of animal welfare, and ensuring compliance with international best practices and accreditation standards.

With a focus on operational excellence, the State Program Services Manager oversees service delivery teams and fosters strong community and stakeholder engagement, whilst ensuring that all services are responsive to the needs of clients living with disabilities.

This leadership position is key to advancing ADA's mission—enhancing independence, inclusion, and quality of life through life-changing partnerships between people and assistance dogs.

Key Responsibilities for our State Program Services Manager NSW

• Provide through your exceptional leadership measures of inspiration, mentoring, and daily management of a passionate team of Assistance Dogs professionals.
• Lead and manage the delivery of ADA's Assistance Dogs Program across NSW.
• Ensure exceptional outcomes for clients, focusing on independence, inclusion, and quality of life.
• Uphold best-practice animal welfare standards and maintain compliance with international assistance dog accreditation.
• Build strong relationships with all stakeholders.
• Ensure our services are responsive to the needs of people living with disabilities and aligned with ADA's mission and values.

About you & your experience

We're looking for someone who is passionate about empowering people with disabilities, cares deeply about animal welfare, and thrives on leading high-performing teams. If you're driven by purpose, committed to excellence, and inspired by the impact of assistance dogs, this is your chance to lead meaningful change.

You'll ideally have:

• Proven experience managing and leading teams of 5+ people.
• Proven leadership experience in program or service delivery within the Assistance Dogs field.
• Strong people management skills with the ability to inspire, motivate and support teams.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• A commitment to animal welfare and a deep appreciation for the role of assistance dogs in empowering people with disabilities.
• Ability to balance operational management with strategic service planning and continuous improvement.
• Strong organisational capabilities.
• Familiarity with CRM systems and compliance reporting (e.g. Salesforce or similar).
• Tertiary qualifications in business, leadership or a related field (desirable).
• Training certifications in Assistance Dogs (strongly desired) or other canine training programs (essential).

You must hold FULL working rights in Australia and an unrestricted driver's license.

May already have or happy to provide both an NDIS Workers Screening Check & Working with Children's Check.

The role is also eligible for 'not for profit' salary packaging - up to $15,900 a year

How to Apply

If you're ready to bring your passion for leadership and world-class service delivery incorporating our Assistance Dogs, we'd love to hear from you.

Click APPLY NOW with your resume and a cover letter outlining why you're the right fit for this role.

ADA are proud to be an inclusive workplace that reflects our clients and the broader community that we serve. We are always committed to providing a work environment in which everyone is included, treated fairly and with respect.

If you have any questions or would like to know more about this great role, please contact Tayla Watkins at or simply