• 4 or 5 days p/week flexible.
• Hybrid office and work from home
• Ongoing

The Position:

The Strategy, Planning and Projects Lead provides critical strategic, operational and project leadership to support the AASW Board, CEO, Company Secretary and Executive Team in delivering enterprise‑wide transformation initiatives. The role is responsible for driving organisational planning, supporting executive governance processes, and ensuring the integration of strategic priorities across the Association.

The role combines practical strategy execution, governance coordination, and problem-solving in a resource-constrained not-for-profit environment. It exists to reduce fragmentation across the organisation, improve follow-through on decisions, and
bring clarity and discipline to competing demands and priorities.

Acting as a trusted advisor and problem‑solver, this position works hands‑on with teams across the AASW to translate strategy into action, strengthen organisational effectiveness, and support high‑quality decision‑making.

The role ensures that major projects, reforms, and change initiatives are planned, executed, and monitored in a coordinated and impactful manner.

About the Association:

The Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) is the professional representative body of social workers in Australia, with more than 17,000 members. The AASW sets the benchmarks for professional education and practice in social work and has a strong voice on matters of social justice, human rights and issues that impact upon the quality of life of all Australians. 

Your key responsibilities:

• Lead strategic and business planning cycles and support execution of organisational priorities and initiatives
• Translate strategy into practical actions, monitor progress, and report on outcomes, risks, and dependencies
• Oversee major projects, reform, and change programs, including governance frameworks and delivery support
• Provide analysis, advice, and recommendations to support organisational improvement and decision-making
• Support Board, CEO, and Company Secretary with high-quality papers, briefings, reporting, and governance coordination
• Conduct strategic research and environmental scanning to inform organisational positioning and priorities
• Lead cross-organisational collaboration, resolve complex issues, and remove
  barriers to delivery
• Act as a strategic partner to the CEO, supporting prioritisation, stakeholder engagement, and issue management
• Ensure tracking and follow-up of decisions, actions, and commitments across the organisation.
• Lead or support priority, cross-functional, or time-critical projects, including crisis or incident response.

 Key selection criteria:

• Tertiary qualifications in social work, social policy, business, project management, or related field.
• Demonstrated experience over several years in strategic and corporate planning, project management, organisational change, or transformation roles.
• Demonstrated experience of leadership, though not necessarily in a leadership role.
• Experience in a member‑based organisation, non-profit, or health and/or human services sector.
• Understanding governance, compliance, and risk management frameworks.
• Familiarity with the social work profession and its regulatory and / or practice environment and ability to operate in complex environments with competing demands.
• Strong analytical, conceptual and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to distil complex information into clear recommendations.
• Experience supporting senior executives, CEOs or Boards with high‑quality advice, reporting and briefings.
• Proven ability to lead cross‑organisational projects and deliver outcomes in complex environments.
• High level of organisational and political acumen, with the ability to manage sensitive information and competing priorities.

How to Apply

The AASW is committed to equal opportunities in employment and embraces diversity and inclusion in its workforce. We encourage applications from culturally and ethnically diverse communities, particularly those underrepresented in the social work profession  including the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and people with a disability.

To be considered for this role, your application must include your résumé and a cover letter addressing the key selection criteria listed above.

We reserve the right to end the closing date early.

Please direct any queries to: [email protected] using the subject line: Strategy Planning & Projects Lead enquiry via EthicalJobs.