Programs Lead

**Full-time (flexible hrs)**:

- **Hybrid working model with office in Sydney's vibrant Barangaroo**:

- **Be part of our commitment to improve the lives of people with a disability and their access to inclusive learning and education**

**About the Company**

Playgroup NSW supports and delivers a range of strengths-based programs and playgroup related engagements to its 55,000 member families, including but not limited to: Universal community volunteer led programs; Targeted early intervention and preventative programs specifically for children and families experiencing vulnerabilities, and for children with a disability and their carers; Programs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and culturally and linguistically diverse families; Perinatal mental and parent/child mental health programs, and Intergenerational programs including older Australians.

For 50 years, playgroups have been a fundamental community building block, creating vital social networks in which children, parents, grandparents, and carers play together, share knowledge and experiences, connect, and grow stronger as a community. There are Playgroup organisations in all states and territories.

Playgroup NSW respects and honours Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders past and present. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on this land and commit to building a brighter future together.

Our Vision at Playgroup NSW is to positively impact every NSW child, their family and community in the first 2,000 days of life.

Our Purpose is to lead play-based programs and services for NSW families with children birth to school age, offering development, shared experiences, and family support, that results in active citizens and inclusive communities.

Our Values are to:
**_ Be child centric_**: Children are at the heart of our work.

**_ Lead change_**: Seek and encourage learning, innovation, and greater positive impact.

**_ Act with integrity_**_:_ Be honest, accountable and show respect.

**_ Work smart, play often_**_:_ Be goal focused, mindful of people's wellbeing and enjoy work.

**About the Role**

Responsible for quality and delivery of a group of programs under the Diversity and Inclusion Portfolio. This includes all aspects pertaining to the quality, compliance and timely delivery aligned with contractual obligations, and management of team members and stakeholders within those programs.

**Key Responsibilities include **_but not limited to_**

**Program/Project Management**
- Develop program and contract implementation plans for existing and new programs.
- Lead and manage the operations of a range of programs against contractual obligations to meet funding requirements..
- Ongoing monitoring, recording and evaluation of data and processes to allow for continuous improvement.
- Execute and maintain all contract deliverables, delivering project plans in line with contract requirements.
- Preparation of additional reports for the Program Development Manager as required, on program implementation progress and outcomes. This also includes providing information as required for relevant Board and other reports.

**Partnerships**
- Work collaboratively with partners to champion the importance of Playgroup and other programs and services in the early years, to improve outcomes for all children and families, particularly those experiencing disadvantage.
- Build relationships with new partners including local Peak Disability & Diversity Organisations, Aboriginal Organisations, Disability Services and ECEI providers in delivery of programs, collaborate on new ideas and to create cross-referrals
- Manage partner relationships, including identifying gaps and opportunities as well as managing any SLAs, Leases, Venue Hire Agreements, and MOUs related to programs

**Quality & Service Delivery**
- Deliver innovative, high quality and inclusive programs for children and families that reflect current theory and practice, and value positive outcomes for all children/families.
- Understand the importance of environmental aesthetics and help foster well designed, appealing playgroup spaces in conjunction with Educators. Work to create environments for play that maximise opportunity for early childhood development (physical, social, emotional, language, creative and cognitive).
- Understand and implement relevant frameworks aligned with program purposes, to foster quality improvement.
- Embrace and implement the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) and the ECI Best Practice within the relevant programs and ensure that the group maintains operating standards as outlined in the relevant Playgroup Program Logics and AWP.
- Understand, implement and manage all program funding requirements as per the contracts, scope, program logic and AWPs including all performance accountabilities and reporti

**Governance & Compliance**
- **Regularly monitor and report on Program progress against con