Job Description
Program Manager - Child & Family Services (Locum)
Full-time | 6+ Month Contract (likely through to end of 2026)
$83 - $93 per hour + Super
Location: Mildura, VIC
Are you an experienced leader in Child and Family Services ready to step into a high-impact role where you can strengthen teams, build capability, and lead quality practice?
This is an opportunity to take on a pivotal leadership position overseeing a broad suite of programs supporting children, young people, and families across the region. You'll step into a well-established service and provide steady, values-driven leadership during a period of transition.
About the Role
As Program Manager, you will oversee multiple Child and Family Services programs, providing operational, clinical, and strategic leadership across a team of approximately 45 staff.
You'll directly support three experienced Team Leaders across:
Foster Care (Northern & Southern)
Family Services (Northern)
Family Services (Southern)
The program areas include Integrated Family Services (IFS), Family Preservation & Reunification (FPR), Foster & Kinship Care, Disability Family Services, SafeCare, KEEP, and Alliance partnerships.
This role is ideal for a confident, hands-on leader who can balance big-picture oversight with day-to-day operational excellence.
What You'll Be Doing
Leading service delivery across a diverse suite of Child and Family programs
Providing oversight of budgets, targets, and reporting requirements
Strengthening governance, clinical practice, and service quality
Supporting and developing Team Leaders and a workforce with mixed experience levels
Building team capability through strong role modelling, clear expectations, and professional leadership
Managing key partnerships, including MOU and subcontractor relationships
About You
Qualified Social Worker (or equivalent) with strong sector experience
Demonstrated leadership experience within Child and Family Services
Confident managing large, multidisciplinary teams
Highly organised, efficient, and able to operate with professionalism and authority
Passionate about developing staff capability and fostering a positive team culture
Strong understanding of service delivery frameworks, compliance, and governance
Why This Role Stands Out
Lead a large, impactful service supporting vulnerable children and families
Step into an established leadership structure with experienced Team Leaders
Real opportunity to shape practice and build workforce capability
Competitive hourly rate of $83 - $93 + super
Relocation support: $3,000 assistance or $200 per week rental support
Long-term contract stability (minimum 6 months, likely through to end of 2026)
About Tradewind Australia
Tradewind Australia is a multi-award-winning recruitment agency recognised for outstanding candidate experience across the Social and Community sectors. We partner with leading organisations across Victoria, providing opportunities that align with your skills, values and career goals.
What sets us apart:
- Dedicated consultants specialising in Family Services
- Access to exclusive locum and permanent opportunities
- Support throughout the entire recruitment and onboarding process
- Transparent communication and ongoing career development support
How to Apply
Click "Apply" to submit your CV.
For more information, please contact our Family Services Team on 03 9081 0562
Commitment to Child Safety, Inclusion and being an equal opportunities employer
Tradewind Australia is committed to the safety, wellbeing and inclusion of all children and vulnerable people. We strongly encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with disability, and those from culturally and linguistically diverse communities.
All successful applicants will undergo reference checks, identity verification and Working with Children Check and further compliance requests pending the organisation's requirements.
