Better Place Australia has a vision of “An Australia where all people experience positive relationships, truly value each other and live safer, more confident lives”. As a community focused not-for-profit organisation with an ever-growing range of psychological and community support services, Better Place Australia is taking a leadership role in the provision of high-quality, effective services for a wide range of community groups across 14 locations in Victoria. 

The Role 

Reporting to the CEO, the position holder assumes responsibility for all Better Place Australia’s services within the Mental Health Services Unit incorporate a total workforce of 50 This includes all counselling (including financial) and therapeutic services across mental health, child and adolescents, families, and relationship sectors.

This position is responsible for ensuring provision of safe and quality programs, attaining productivity goals, managing clinical and operational risks, fostering a cohesive and high functioning team and continuous quality improvement. This role will drive stakeholder engagement and foster strong external partnerships with Community Controlled Organisations, Government departments, NGOs and community organisations in alignment with BPA strategic objectives.

Key work tasks include: 

Operational Management

• Oversee the delivery of high quality, effective services applying best practice, evidence-based therapeutic frameworks monitored through high quality practice and clinical governance frameworks. 
• Manage daily operations of the Mental Health Services Team, ensuring that programs operate within budget, are staffed appropriately, and services are delivered in line with policies, procedures, Model of Care and Clinical Governance Framework

Partnerships, Stakeholders and Service Development Opportunities

• Use understanding of Federal & State Government Mental Health policy directions to propose, enhance or develop services aligned with future funding opportunities.
• Utilise networks and practice forums to drive the profile and involvement of Better Place in practice or service development opportunities.

Quality & Safety

• Manage the development and implementation of operational and practice guidance, in accordance with BPA’s governance guide.
• Conduct regular quality audits to ensure all service activity is conducted in accordance with the appropriate model of Care, Risk Management and Clinical Governance Framework.
• Promote continuous quality improvement and professional development and ensure team engagement and compliance with mandatory training and supervision.

Leadership, People & Culture 

• Embrace the BPA values
• Champion the values and be an exemplar of the Better Place culture working consultatively with your colleagues to foster cross unit collaboration, coaching your team to excel, and pursuing our mission with passion and commitment.
• Identify and implement strategies to further encourage team collaboration, respect and enhance team morale within the team
• Develop and empower employees to deliver high quality, client-centred and cost effective services
• Contribute to tenders, sector submissions, research, major projects, and activities as required.

Required Qualifications and Experience 

Essential

• Tertiary qualifications in a relevant discipline (such as Psychology, Health, Social Work)
• Extensive senior management experience within the mental health services sector with a sound understanding of clinical and practice governance principles and practice.
• Well networked within the mental health sector with a good understanding of Federal and State funding structures, and a demonstrated ability to engage stakeholders at a senior level.
• A good understanding of the family violence context and child safety, including safety planning, risk assessment, and reporting etc.
• Strong operational experience with demonstrable experience managing mental health services and teams across a variety of community services programs.
• Strong financial management and funding experience including managing budgets, grant agreement requirements, and complex funding structures.
• Exceptional leadership skills together with a proven ability to motivate, influence, collaborate and successfully facilitate change.
• Highly developed strategic thinking, planning and analytical skills with demonstrated experience to drive outcomes in new service development.

Better Place Australia 

Better Place Australia offers a workplace culture reflective of a vibrant, learning organisation where our people are highly engaged in their work and committed to making a difference.  As an equal opportunity employer, we aim to create an inclusive environment where differences including gender, age, culture, disability, sexuality and family and caring responsibilities are valued. We invite you to be part of a not-for-profit organisation that fosters a diverse workplace. 

Further Information 

For further information and to access a copy of the position description, please visit our website www.betterplaceaustralia.com.au/careers/

Our organisation is committed to child safety and satisfactory completion of a Working with Children Check and National Police Check are mandatory for the preferred candidate. 

Better Place Australia currently requires employees to have up to date (boosted) vaccination status with an approved COVID-19 Vaccination and to provide evidence of same by way of uploading a Digital Vaccination Certificate to our HRIS Information System (or confirmation that they are an excepted person). You will be provided with relevant information including during the recruitment process.

Whilst we appreciate the interest of all prospective candidates, please note that only short-listed applicants will be contacted.  

Apply today – we look forward to hearing from you.