Strategy and Practice Development Senior Manager

About our Organisation:

Youth Off The Streets is a not-for-profit youth organisation that provides safety, support and opportunities for young people to build a positive future. We offer crisis accommodation and housing services, alternative high school education, alcohol and other drugs counselling, youth justice support, life skills and employment programs, cultural support and community engagement, among other services. We focus on early interventions that empower young people and strengthen communities.

The Role:

The YSS Strategy & Practice Development Manager works closely with the Head of YSS to drive priority initiatives under the YOTS five-year strategy, playing a key role in achieving YSS goals, outcome targets & managing quality improvements and compliance across the business unit.

Please Note: Interviews for this role will commence from January 2026. This is a 12-month parental leave cover commencing end of February 2026.

Main Duties:

Leadership:

• Provide strategic leadership and direction for delegated YSS 5-year strategy initiatives to develop and achieve strategy and Business Plan targets

• Act as YSS 2IC, as delegated, representing the business unit in Senior Leadership meetings, planning and reporting sessions in HoYSS absence.

• Work collaboratively with YOTS Business Units to develop & operationalise the YOTS Joined-up model, modelling cross-functional team coordination and cohesion.

• Provide technical advice and expertise on operations, planning and development approaches to meet strategy priorities.

• Lead focused practice improvement initiatives within YSS, aligning to broader organisational frameworks.

Strategy Projects Development & Facilitation:

• In collaboration with HoYSS develop strategy initiative project charters & plans, milestones, risk management, change management and monitoring processes

• Coordinate and manage key strategy projects within YSS, identifying strategy dependencies and working collaboratively with all business units and organisational initiatives to achieve outcome targets.

• Execute delegated YSS strategy project plans and actions, reporting progress & outcomes to inform quarterly reporting

• Manage and coach project teams to deliver outcomes and targets, building YSS internal capabilities and aligning to organisational capability development initiatives

• Translate research, data analysis and practice evidence review into practical resources and development tools to support best practice service design, operational practice improvement strategies, implementation and evaluation.

• Identify project risk, contingencies, resource requirements to meet strategy and quality assurance outcomes.

• Work collaboratively with the YOTS Strategy Manager and YOTS Senior Leaders to support YOTS strategy initiative planning, implementation and evaluation.

Quality Assurance and Development:

• Lead industry evidence and YSS program review, environmental scanning and data analysis to determine quality improvement opportunities, aligned to industry standards and best practice

• Work collaboratively with YSS Leaders to identify key quality practice development requirements aligned to YSS strategy initiative and priorities and industry standards

• Lead the design, execution and evaluation of project plans aligned to best practice service delivery improvements

• Lead YSS participation in quality improvement initiatives, identifying capability development priorities and professional development opportunities to enable business performance improvement.

• Support business improvement initiatives aligned to industry accreditation

Qualifications required:

• Business degree or relevant qualification

Experience:

• 5 years of strategy or senior level operational experience in a similar environment

Required Skills & Abilities:

• Demonstrated aptitude for strategic thinking, with proven ability in strategic planning and development and intersections with operations

• Aptitude for strategic problem solving and decision making

• Excellent written and verbal communication and presentation skills, with ability to effectively communicate complex strategic information

• Proven ability to manage complex, cross-functional, and time sensitive strategic and operational projects.

• Extensive experience in child and young person sector, preferably in the areas of residential care, case management, youth homelessness and a sophisticated understanding of current social policy, service systems and awareness of Federal & State Government future direction

• Experience in workshop design and facilitation

• Ability to liaise confidently, build rapport and positively influence key stakeholders at all levels

• Demonstrated strong understanding of and/or experience with innovation approaches, such as Design Thinking / Human Centred Design

• Analytical thinking, proficient in data analysis, organisational performance metrics and reporting and ability to communicate organizational insight.

• Excellent people management skills with the ability to lead in a flexible and adaptive manner

• Strong initiative and demonstrated ability to work autonomously

• Demonstrated success in continuous improvement, change leadership and change management

• Demonstrated high standard of professionalism and leadership and always act in the best interest of YOTS

• A high level of commitment to YOTS mission, values and internal policies and a desire to make a difference to the lives of at-risk Young People

What we can offer you:

• Supportive, values‑driven team environment
• Salary Packaging: $15,900.00 of your base salary tax free & up to $ meal & entertainment
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for you and your family
• Self-Care Leave & Christmas Gifted Leave
• Access to Fitness Passport

To Apply

Please ensure you enclose a copy of your resume with your contact details and cover letter addressing the essential criteria (2 pages maximum).

Youth Off The Streets embraces
The Sanctuary Model
as the foundation of our organisational culture. This trauma-informed approach guides how we support young people and staff, prioritising safety, emotional wellbeing, and resilience. It shapes our practices in conflict resolution, crisis intervention, and healing from trauma—creating a safe, inclusive, and supportive school environment for all.

At Youth Off The Streets, diversity, equity and inclusion are part of our DNA. Together, we continue to build an inclusive culture that encourages, supports, and celebrates the diverse voices of our people. It fuels our innovation and connects us closer to our customers and the communities we serve.

Youth off The Streets is an EEO Employer and a child safe organisation

This is a rare opportunity to join a passionate and high profile not for profit organisation that values the current youth of today and the youth of tomorrow.

The successful candidate will be requested to submit applications for a NSW Working With Children Check and Police Check. You will also be required to have a valid Australian Drivers Licence and unrestricted Australian working rights.

We encourage people who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander to apply for this position.