Job Description
First Nations Delegated Authority- Identified Manager
Pay: 125k + super + salary packaging + car
Location: Logan / Brisbane / SEQ (with regular community-based travel)
Employment Type: Full-time
Tradewind Australia is partnering with a respected Aboriginal Community Controlled organisation delivering culturally grounded child and family services. This newly established program holds delegated authority for child protection decision-making for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families.
This is a rare opportunity for a strong Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander leader to step into a senior management role shaping a new model of family-led, culturally safe child protection practice. You will lead a growing team and work alongside statutory systems to ensure decisions are made in ways that prioritise safety, culture, connection and self-determination for children and families.
About the Role
As the Manager, you will provide strategic and operational leadership for a new program delivering culturally safe, community-driven child protection services. You will support the organisation's CEO in exercising delegated statutory decision-making authority for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families.
You will oversee program operations, guide complex case recommendations, and ensure practice is grounded in culturally informed assessment frameworks and family-led planning approaches. This role works closely with Child Safety, community partners and internal service teams to reduce systemic barriers, strengthen kinship and community connections, and improve long-term outcomes for children and families.
You will be responsible for building a strong, values-led team culture and embedding practice excellence during the program's establishment and implementation phase.
Benefits
- Attractive salary package + super
- Company Car
- Salary packaging available (up to $15,900 p.a.)
- Opportunity to lead and shape a new, high-impact First Nations-led program
- Professional development, leadership coaching and career progression
- Supportive, values-driven organisational culture
- Flexible, community-based work environment
Key Responsibilities
- Provide strategic and operational leadership for a First Nations child and family decision-making program
- Lead and support a team of practitioners to deliver culturally safe, family-led and outcomes-focused practice
- Oversee complex case recommendations to the CEO, ensuring safety, connection and cultural identity are central to decision-making
- Embed culturally grounded assessment tools and family-led decision-making frameworks into daily practice
- Build and maintain strong partnerships with Child Safety, health, education and community stakeholders
- Lead continuous quality improvement, practice development and program model refinement during implementation
- Ensure operational systems support high-quality case management, data integrity, outcomes measurement and reporting
- Manage program budgets, staffing profiles and resource allocation to meet service demand and performance targets
- Lead workforce development, coaching, supervision and performance management
- Provide leadership in critical and high-risk cases, supporting staff in risk assessment, safety planning and inter-agency coordination
What You'll Bring
Essential
- This is a First Nations Identified role. Applicants must identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.
- Bachelor degree in a relevant social services field with a minimum of 4 years' experience in child protection, family support, youth services, housing or related practice
- OR Diploma in a relevant community services field with a minimum of 6 years' experience in a senior case management or leadership role
- Demonstrated leadership experience managing teams and complex practice environments
- Strong applied knowledge of child protection, family support and culturally grounded practice frameworks
- High-level ability to navigate legislative and statutory decision-making environments
- Strong capability to influence external stakeholders and lead multidisciplinary collaboration
- Demonstrated ability to integrate services across programs to deliver wrap-around care
- High-level problem-solving skills in complex, high-risk and time-critical practice contexts
Additional Requirements
- National Police Check
- Blue Card
- Current driver's licence
- Immunisations (Category B)
- Evidence of Australian work rights
- Ability to travel regularly for community-based work
About Tradewind Australia
Tradewind Australia is a multi-award-winning recruitment agency, recognised nationally for delivering exceptional candidate experience across the education, social and community services sectors.
We partner with organisations committed to culturally safe, community-led service delivery and work closely with candidates to ensure alignment of values, leadership style and long-term career goals.
What sets Tradewind apart:
- Winner of multiple Candidate Experience Awards
- Specialist consultants with deep sector expertise
- Tailored support throughout the entire recruitment process
- Insight into organisational culture, leadership and role expectations
- Transparent communication and ongoing post-placement care
We focus on supporting people, not just filling jobs.
Apply Now
If you are an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander leader ready to shape child protection decision-making through a culturally grounded, family-led model of care, we would love to hear from you.
Please apply with your CV and a short cover letter, or contact our team at melissa.jacquier@twrecruitment.com.au or 1800 572 358 for more information.
Commitment to Child Safety, Inclusion and Equal Opportunity
This organisation is committed to the safety, wellbeing and inclusion of children and vulnerable people. Tradewind considers that being of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent is a genuine occupational requirement as outlined in section 25 of the Anti-Discrimination Act (1991) and permitted as a 'special measure' under section 8 of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth) and by articles 1(4) and 2(2) of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.
All successful applicants will be required to undergo reference checks, identity verification and relevant statutory checks.
