Program Manager

Residential Care Workforce Development Lead
We are seeking an innovative and passionate community services professional who is looking for the next step in their career. If you would like to help shape the future of youth residential care by supporting and strengthening the capability of the workforce, this is the role for you

About The Centre
As the leader and peak body in child and family services in Tasmania and Victoria, The Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare Tas/Vic proudly represents over 150 organisations, spanning the entire sector from proactive prevention and early intervention to the critical provision of out-of-home care.

We support organisations and individuals dedicated to advancing child wellbeing, implementing early intervention strategies, and delivering quality out-of-home care services for children and families across Tasmania and Victoria.

Every team member at the Centre is part of the leading force in Tasmania and Victoria's child and family services sector. We engage in meaningful work that directly impacts communities across both states.

With a proud and rich history, our work extends beyond advocacy. Whether you're passionate about driving policy change, shaping professional standards, or directly supporting frontline services, there's a place for you to grow and thrive with us.

The Centre cultivates a diverse and inclusive workplace committed to our team member's health, wellbeing and cultural safety. We believe diversity strengthens our teams, services, and organisations.

We encourage applicants of any background, culture, gender identity, and experience to join us.

Position Summary
The Program Manager provides visionary leadership and strategic oversight to ensure the successful delivery and continuous evolution of the Residential Care Learning and Development Strategy.

Operating at the intersection of policy, practice, and workforce development, this role drives sector-wide impact by aligning learning initiatives with the strategic priorities of Victoria's residential care system.

Working in close collaboration with government partners, residential care providers, and sector leaders, the Program Manager leads a high-performing team to design and implement evidence-informed learning and development solutions. These initiatives are grounded in sector feedback, data insights, and best practice, ensuring they are responsive to the evolving needs of the workforce and the young people they support.

The Program Manager identifies and establishes relevant Governance groups to provide strategic advice and sector intelligence to shape future directions. The role is accountable for mapping existing learning pathways, identifying capability gaps, and co-designing innovative, scalable solutions that build workforce resilience and sustainability.

Success in this role requires a proactive and strategic communicator—someone who anticipates information needs, provides timely updates, and fosters constructive engagement with stakeholders to ensure alignment and shared understanding.

With responsibility for program governance, stakeholder engagement, and project delivery, the Program Manager ensures that RCLDS remains a trusted and forward-thinking platform for workforce development. Ultimately, this role champions a shared vision of excellence in care—where every young person in residential care is supported by a skilled, confident, and well-resourced workforce.

The full position description is attached (and through the recruitment page on Ethical Jobs).
Benefits Of Working At The Centre

• Up to three days additional leave over Christmas/New Year period
• Family friendly flexible working arrangements
• A flexible hybrid work-from-home arrangement
• Paid parental/carer/study leave
• Ongoing training and professional development opportunities
• A supportive and positive work environment
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Leave loading of 17.5%
• Attractive not-for-profit salary packaging (this boosts your income by reducing the amount of tax you pay), with Meal/Holiday accommodation benefit

How To Apply
If you feel this role is right for you, we welcome your application. Please provide the following:

• Your resume
• A brief cover letter (no longer than 2 pages) outlining your interest in the role, relevant experience, and how you meet the Eligibility Criteria (including short examples where appropriate)

Please collate these into one (1) document for upload.

If you would like to learn more about the role or have further questions, please reach out to Viv Interrigi via email

This position is being recruited through an expedited process. Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and the role may be filled before the closing date. We encourage interested candidates to apply as soon as possible. Applications will close once a suitable candidate is appointed.