Principal Partnership Manager – Early Oral Language

ARACY Purpose

ARACY – the Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth is a dynamic, national, independent health promotion NGO focused on improving the wellbeing of children and young people. We are a thought leader working in partnership with the sector and governments to advance the wellbeing of children and young people across Australia.

ARACY brings people and knowledge together to catalyse change so that all children and young people in Australia can thrive. We base our work on The Nest.

For more about ARACY and its initiatives see

TQKP Purpose

The Thriving Queensland Kids Partnership (TQKP) is a coalition and intermediary, an initiative of and hosted by ARACY – the Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth – with Queensland partners. TQKP's purpose is to 'transform systems so all young Queenslanders can thrive'.

To achieve this, TQKP is:

• bringing people, organisations and sectors together,
• using what we know and learn,
• supporting leaders and catalysts, and
• facilitating collaborative action, innovation and development.

We believe that by doing this, we can build better connections, capabilities and capacities in the key areas of concerted leadership, smarter investment, enabled caregivers and communities, integrated delivery and putting data, evidence and experience to work.

This means an eco-system better equipped and stewarded, and working together well, to:

• reduce the experience and consequences of inequity and adversity, and
• improve opportunities, capabilities and outcomes so all Queensland kids have a great start and journey in life.

In this role….

You will lead the design and delivery of high-impact, multi-sector partnerships that address the systemic challenges facing children and young people in Queensland pertaining to early oral language development and work towards the development, investment and sustainability of the Queensland Early Oral Language Partnership (QEOLP).

You will drive the QEOLP, cultivating relationships across government, corporate, philanthropic, and community sectors, and facilitate cross-sector collaboration to support the delivery of TQKP's and QEOLP's purpose and outcomes.

About You

• Substantial relevant practical experience in early oral language, early literacy, child development and/or child public health.
• Substantial relevant practical experience in managing projects, strategic partnerships, stakeholder engagement, and/or systems-level collaboration.
• Demonstrated ability to lead high-value and complex partnerships involving multiple stakeholders and sectors.
• Familiarity with systems thinking, and/or place-based approaches to social change.
• Strong understanding of contemporary policy and systems impacting children and young people, particularly across government and philanthropic ecosystems.

In addition, a commitment to living and role modeling ARACY's core organisational values is essential, and their further expression in TQKP's values and operating principles statement, through

• Connectedness – ARACY is a connecting organisation. We build genuine partnerships and acknowledge that true collaboration involves giving something up for the greater good. We work for systems change and collective impact.
• Equity – ARACY believes that every child and young person is entitled to a good life and the opportunity to thrive. We are committed to helping build a society that understands and respects fairness and equity, values children not only as future adult contributors but for their own place and voice in society, and targets support to the needs of the least advantaged.
• Inclusion – we value the breadth and depth of all people and ideas regardless of ethnicity, religion, age, political affiliation, gender, sexuality or other characteristics.
• Integrity – ARACY is an independent, non-partisan organisation. We only advocate for the interests of children and young people. We present the evidence even when it challenges common understanding. We manage the resources available to us honestly and responsibly.
• Respect – ARACY engages respectfully with and advocates respectfully for children and young people, and their families and communities. We listen to children and young people, involve them in solutions, and act on what they say. Every position we take is grounded in what children and young people have said when asked about the issue. When we say 'thriving' and 'a good life', we mean living a life of value as defined by children and young people. ARACY respects the knowledges, practices and cultures of First Nations Australians acknowledging that these can provide us with alternative world views which bring with them opportunities to problem solve and create differently for all Australian children to thrive.
• Generosity – ARACY works generously as a partner and collaborator with other organisations and networks with well aligned purpose, values and agendas.

The benefits

TQKP offers flexible working arrangements and is located in central Brisbane. A remuneration package will be negotiated with the successful applicant, commensurate with skills and experience. Salary packaging (via Simply Green) is also available.

How to apply:

TQKP actively encourages applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. We will hire as soon as we find the right person, so if it looks like you, please apply asap

Please note this is a fixed term opportunity for one year with the possibility of extension. For more information about the role, including a copy of the position description, please contact Roger Meany M: E: or email