senior community programs manager

About your next role

In this senior leadership position, you will take high-level operational oversight across 7 remote sites, managing direct reports and steering end-to-end performance. You will serve as the bridge between ground operations and executive leadership, balancing strategic stakeholder engagement with a grounded, hands-on understanding of community life.
You are a leader who operates with high autonomy, commercial/financial acumen, an agile mindset, and a genuine sense of humour to tackle the realities of remote operations. You are adept at overseeing employment services programs and managing on-ground teams across multiple remote locations.

• Multi-Site Operational Oversight: Exercise complete operational authority across 7 remote community sites delivering the Remote Australia Employment Service (RAES).
• Strategic & Contract Management: Lead federal government stakeholder engagement, oversee contract deliverables, and align community operations with corporate strategic goals.
• End-to-End People & Performance Management: Direct onboarding, staff performance management, leadership coaching, and high-level pastoral relationships across remote site teams.
• Financial Accountability: Manage budget allocations, review site-level financials, and justify operational expenses with an ownership mindset.
• Stakeholder & Community Engagement: Build strong rapport with local Traditional Owners, Elders, community leaders, and external funding bodies.
• Operational Agility & Risk Leadership: Adapt quickly to remote environmental challenges, question status-quo processes, and drive continuous improvement.

What you will need to bring

You are a strategic leader with strong cultural competency and an innate ability to inspire teams in remote, geographically dispersed locations.

• Ground Knowledge in RAES / CDP: Deep experience in CDP or RAES operational leadership (Operations Manager, Site Coordinator, or Senior Community Services Manager).
• Aboriginal Corporation & Federal Stakeholder Exposure: Demonstrated contract management skills and proven capability working within First Nations organizations or remote contexts.
• Financial Acumen: Strong background in budget allocation, expense justification, and managing project/site financials.
• Autonomous Decision-Making: Proven operational competence to make bold, effective decisions independently while holding overall site accountability.
• Core Character Attributes: High agility, flexibility, openness to change, clear communication skills, and a healthy sense of humour.

Mandatory Requirements:

• Unrestricted Manual Driver’s Licence
• NT Working with Children Clearance (Ochre Card)
• First Aid Certification
• Ability to travel to remote Communities via 4WD or small light aircraft
• Willingness to undergo necessary background checks and clearances required for working in remote Indigenous communities

What you will get in return

• Access PBI Salary Packaging (up to $15,900) with 12% Superannuation plus monthly telephone allowance
• 5 weeks annual leave + 17.5% leave loading
• The chance to make a meaningful difference in remote First Nations communities
• Relocation assistance from anywhere in Australia.

Next Steps

If you feel you have what it takes to be successful in this role, apply now with a current resume. For more information or a confidential discussion about your next career move, please email Tash at alpa@randstad.com.au or call on (08) 8923 4390.

Lead with Impact, Steer on Country: Command 7 Sites, Earn Great Pay, and Make Your Journey Count!