Program Manager

Make a difference in your community
- Staff leadership and agency development
- Permanent, full-time position

**About us**:
At Gateways, we all have one thing in common: the passion to support people with a disability and make every day better. The Gateways Support Services vision is to provide support for children and adults with a disability and their families to maximise their quality of life. We are looking for dedicated and enthusiastic individuals to join the friendly, supportive and positive team in Geelong.

**What's in it for you?**
- Salary packaging option to increase take-home pay.
- Ongoing training opportunities
- Collaborating with a supportive, caring, and passionate team
- Accessible and approachable management
- Extensive training opportunities, including positive behavioural support and ethical response.

**About the role**:
The Accommodation & Specialist Support Services department provides high quality; flexible living options to people living with disabilities. This support encourages developmental opportunities and client choice, enabling maximum integration with the community and a lifestyle that emulates the general community.

The Program Manager Accommodation Support Services has a set amount of administration time to support Team Leaders and oversee and implement quality service provision to adults living in Accommodation Services. The role is required to liaise with fellow staff members, managers, families, Support Coordinators, Case Managers, NDIA, Disability Services, program providers, community groups, and participate in the monitoring and evaluation of service performance and client outcomes.

**Let's talk about you To be successful in this role, you will need:
- **Understanding of Disability Legislation and Policies**: A comprehensive understanding of the Disability Act 2006 is crucial for ensuring compliance and delivering effective support services within legal frameworks.
- **Coordination and Chairing Meetings**: As a Program Manager, the ability to coordinate and lead meetings is essential for ensuring effective communication, collaboration, and decision-making among team members and stakeholders.
- **Documentation and Record Maintenance**: Effective documentation and record-keeping are vital for maintaining accurate records of client information, service delivery, and program outcomes, which contribute to quality assurance and reporting requirements.
- **Emotional Intelligence and Adaptability**: Program managers in disability support services must possess strong emotional intelligence to navigate complex interpersonal dynamics, regulate emotions, and adapt their approach to meet the diverse needs of clients, staff, and stakeholders.
- **Effective Communication**: Clear and concise communication skills are critical for conveying information, listening to feedback, and maintaining engagement with clients, families, staff, and external partners. This includes the ability to communicate respectfully and sensitively about sensitive issues related to disability.
- **Interpersonal Skills**: Being polite, considerate, and empathetic in interactions with clients, families, and staff fosters positive relationships and promotes a supportive and inclusive work environment.
- **Responsiveness and Follow-through**: Program managers must demonstrate responsiveness to individual needs, promptly addressing inquiries, requests, and complaints, and ensuring follow-through on commitments to deliver high-quality support services.
- **Leadership Experience**: Strong leadership skills, including at least 2 years of experience managing and leading teams, particularly within the context of disability support services, are essential for effectively guiding staff, fostering a positive organizational culture, and achieving program objectives.
- A qualification in Disability, Community Services, Social Work or equivalent would be highly regarded.

**Please note that the following compliance documents are required if successful for the role**:

- NDIS Workers Screening Check (or willingness to obtain one)
- NDIS Workers Orientation Module certificate of completion
- Victorian Working with Children Check (employee status)
- Victorian Driver's License
- Resume
- Cover letter
- Child safety and wellbeing is embedded in Gateways leadership, governance, and culture. We have zero tolerance of child abuse. We have vigorous recruitment and screening processes for all employees and volunteers._