About you
The City is looking for a person with proven leadership and people management skills. Strong financial acumen and budget management, ability to negotiate and influence beneficial outcomes, ability to lead change, foster a positive team culture, and drive innovation are essential. A good understanding and knowledge of regulatory frameworks, and experience in business planning, stakeholder engagement, and communication will hold you in good stead to succeed in the role. The successful applicant will be skilled in providing strategic advice and insights to executives, Councillors, and the community.

About the role
The Manager Children & Family Services is a senior leadership role in the City Life Directorate, accountable for leadership, management and delivery of high quality early childhood education and care, maternal and child health and family support services to the Geelong community.

The Children & Family Services Department includes Maternal & Child Health, Early Childhood Education & Care, Family Services Development, Family Services Planning, and Administration teams.

Work type: Fixed Term - Full Time (through to September 2028)
Classification: SPL $193,060 pa plus super

Key responsibilities include:

• Develop a clear, inspiring vision for the Department's future, formulate strategic goals to achieve it, and communicate it effectively to lead the department.
• Develop Departmental capabilities to meet the requirements of its future strategic goals.
• Provide strong leadership that values diversity and is adaptable to growth and change, by role modelling self-awareness, resilience, and adaptability.
• Lead change initiatives and act as a role model through self-awareness, resilience, inclusion, encouraging cross-functional teamwork and collaboration.
• Manage all aspects of the Department’s resources and budget planning for effective operations; regularly tracking and reporting on performance against departmental goals.
• Lead service planning and reviews to ensure service viability, and explore opportunities to modify and/or enhance Council’s service offering in Greater Geelong and beyond.
• Maximise funding opportunities and income from service recipients to ensure continuing competitiveness and sustainability of Council provided services.

Essential Experience:

• A tertiary qualification in a relevant field of study.
• Significant professional and senior experience in public administration, community services, education or other comparable fields in local government or organisation delivering similar services.
• Proven track record of leading teams through change processes and building resilience.
• Demonstrated people management skills to support, influence and foster a productive team culture.
• High level understanding and experience of legislative and regulatory frameworks.
• A demonstrated can do attitude driving innovation and system improvement in a complex legislative and work environment.
• Demonstrated skills in business planning and management, budget development, financial and resource management, and complex reporting in accordance with strategic goals and KPIs.
• Well-developed problem solving and stakeholder management skills with the ability to build cooperation and partnerships.
• Accomplished negotiation, writing, presentation and public speaking skills to influence stakeholders and achieve support for department outcomes.

Preferred candidates will be required to undergo a National Police Check as part of the recruitment process (funded by the City).

If this sounds like the role for you, then click apply now!

Child Safety Responsibilities 
We are committed to being a child-safe organisation and have zero-tolerance for child abuse. We have specific policies, procedures, and mandatory training in place to support employees, volunteers, and contractors to achieve and adhere to these commitments. Please read our Child Safe Standards Management Policy.  

Diversity and Inclusion 
At the City we want a workforce that reflects the community we live in. We welcome and embrace everyone, all people with their own unique experiences, and support and encourage all our employees to do their best work, have equal access to opportunities and a just working environment. For this reason, we particularly welcome and encourage applications from First Nations people, people with diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, from the LGBTQIA+ community, people with disability and people of all genders, ages and diverse experience.

We are the City
From parks to offices, early childhood & education centres to works depots, leisure facilities to the Wool Museum and waterfront, our team plays a vital role in shaping our vibrant and growing community. Our community counts on us to get the essentials right while looking for ways to go beyond. By listening, collaborating, and focusing on sustainability, we strive to do the basics brilliantly and create a lasting impact. If you’re ready to be part of something bigger, join us in shaping the future of Geelong.

We support accessibility and encourage discussions about any adjustments or support you may need during the recruitment process.

Applications and Enquiries
Click the Position Description link to view more information about this position.

Enquires: Ashley Shaw – Talent Acquisition Partner | AShaw@geelongcity.vic.gov.au

Click the Apply button to submit your application or find out more about this opportunity. If we can assist you with any reasonable adjustments in order to submit your application for this role, please contact the Talent Acquisition team via email at careers@geelongcity.vic.gov.au  noting your preferred method of communication and contact details and a member of the team will be in touch.

We collect demographic data to help us learn who our advertisements are reaching and how we can reach an even more diverse audience. We are committed to building a more diverse team. Your responses to our demographic questions are strictly confidential and will not be individually shared.

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