Program Manager

• Position   : Permanent, Full Time
• Location  : Preston
• Salary  : Between $119,089 to $121,592 plus super and salary packaging options

The Organisation

The Victorian Aboriginal Child and Community Agency (VACCA) is an Aboriginal Community-Controlled organisation that supports and advocates for the Aboriginal Community and is the largest organisation of its kind in Australia. The VACCA team is committed to the organisation's visions and values, passionately providing support, service and advocacy for our children and other vulnerable members of the community.

Our strength lies with our people.

About the role

The Program Manager will ensure Aboriginal children and young people receive high quality case management, advocacy, culturally grounded support and strengths-based practice with strong family mapping, work on identity and cultural connection. The Program Manager will be responsible for ensuring responsive risk management and case planning including leaving/ post care support. This is a leadership role supporting teams and actively participating in client reviews and any other meetings related to the case management of young people including young people identified as high-risk youth.

About You

• Demonstrated commitment and understanding for the values that underpin VACCA's vision and purpose
• Demonstrated experience in working and engaging with Aboriginal families and children and contributing to Aboriginal child and family wellbeing
• Demonstrated understanding of the complex history of colonisation and the intergenerational trauma experienced by Aboriginal people, including all current issues facing Aboriginal communities that will include staff within our programs
• Demonstrated experience and management in the out of home care sector, including understanding of relevant legislation and frameworks
• Complex case planning and management experience related to the delivery of Residential Care Services and Better Futures
• Experience leading and developing staff including supervision, team building, professional development and performance management
• Therapeutic understanding of trauma and the role of culture in healing, along with the ability to bring a therapeutic lens to supervision, program management and program development
• Well-developed oral and written skills and an ability to ensure the voice of young people is heard in case planning and advocate for Aboriginal children
• Ability to work collaboratively with a range of professionals, stakeholders and community and a commitment to the principles of Gamadji Balit in this work supporting young people. These include: My Culture identity, my voice; Cultural Participation of Family; Cultural Connection to Country; Mutual Cultural Respect; Collective Responsibility
• Requirements: Tertiary qualifications in social work, psychology or community services, valid Police Check, a Working with Children's Check for a paid employee (or willingness to obtain) and a Victorian Driver Licence. Current COVID-19 vaccination (Strongly Recommended)

What we can offer you

• A supportive environment that includes comprehensive induction
• The support of regular internal supervision
• Professional development and training opportunities
• Attractive salary packaging to increase your take-home pay
• 17.5% loading on annual leave
• Access to agency vehicles for all work-related travel
• Access to Employee support and wellbeing programs
• Paid parental leave after 12 months of ongoing employment
• Opportunity to work and build connection with the Aboriginal Community and culture
• Fitness Passport - allowing you (and your family) access to any of the facilities available on this program

We strongly encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders people to apply

Applications should include a cover letter addressing the key selection criteria and current resume. We encourage applicants to view the Position Description prior to applying. Please click visit the VACCA careers page to download the position description for this role.

Application closes by 26 November 2025

We are committed to Aboriginal self-determination and supporting strong, safe, thriving Aboriginal communities and aim to ensure every individual is treated with dignity, honouring all cultural backgrounds, abilities, ethnicities, sexual orientations, gender identities and spiritual beliefs.

VACCA is a child-safe organisation and is committed to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of children and young people with zero tolerance for child abuse. All successful applicants will be required to undertake a National Police Record Check and Working with Children Check prior to commencement of employment and periodically following commencement.

VACCA is an equal opportunity employer and has a smoke-free workplace policy