• Location: Taronga Zoo, Sydney (Mosman, NSW)
• Type: Permanent Part-Time (4 days/week, 0.8 FTE)
• Salary: SCHADS Level 6 PP1 – $91,394 + super for a four day week (equivalent to $114,243 per annum)
• Reports to: CEO
• Direct Reports: Africa Programs Manager, Content Developer, Volunteers

Be a Force for Good at the Jane Goodall Institute Australia (JGIA)

Are you a purpose-driven, business-minded professional with a passion for environmental education, wildlife protection, youth engagement, and operational excellence? The Jane Goodall Institute Australia is searching for a dynamic Head of Programs & Operations to lead our national youth programs and ensure our organisation thrives behind the scenes.

You’ll play a key role in growing and diversifying Australian and African programs, including Roots & Shoots, Dr Jane Goodall’s global youth movement. A key priority will be ensuring the growth and sustainability of our program by scaling JGIA’s impact across Australia and innovating to introduce new ones. Based at the iconic Taronga Zoo, you’ll work closely with a passionate team and an inspiring national volunteer network—all united by a shared mission: to build a better world for people, animals, and the environment.

JGIA is entering an exciting new chapter of growth, as we bring our founder’s message of Hope to more people, to make a bigger difference, at this critical time. We are looking for a Head of Programs and Operations Manager who can help us turn our big dreams into reality.

Building on the legacy of our founder, the legendary Dr. Jane Goodall - ethologist, conservationist, peacemaker and mentor - we inspire hope through action to benefit animals, people and our shared environment. Our work centres on two areas: community conservation in Africa, working with local partners to protect chimpanzees and their forest homes; and empowering the next generation of environmentalists here in Australia, through our youth-driven initiative Roots & Shoots.

While geographically apart, our programs share the same heart: nurturing grassroots and people-driven nature-based solutions for our beautiful planet - acting locally, while thinking globally, to build Hope.

As Dr. Goodall says: “Cumulatively small decisions, choices, actions, make a very big difference.”

Your Impact

We're looking for a Head of Programs & Operations who not only delivers impact but also understands the business of sustainability—someone who can drive program outcomes while identifying opportunities to generate income, maximise value, and ensure our mission is financially future-fit.

This role requires more than passion, as the Head of Programs & Operations, you'll:

• Deliver and diversify a suite of programs, with measurable impact, that are financially sustainable.

• Lead and grow our flagship Roots & Shoots program, inspiring and supporting young changemakers across Australia.

• Scale our ReWild Your School program, helping bring environmental education to primary students nationwide.

• Manage and grow a national volunteer network, ensuring volunteers are supported, engaged and contributing to program goals.

• Oversee Australian program strategy, delivery, and development—ensuring every initiative aligns with our mission, values and budget.

• Support our Africa Programs Manager and strengthen global collaboration.

• Foster a high-performing, values-aligned culture among staff and volunteers.

• Collaborate with partners, schools, NGOs, and communities to scale our reach and influence.

• Drive operational excellence across systems, IT administration, CRM tools (e.g., Nationbuilder), HR, compliance, and organisational policies.

About You

We’re looking for a strategic thinker who knows how to fund what they deliver, someone with:

• Exceptional leadership, communication, and relationship-building skills.

• Experience developing, delivering, and scaling youth or community programs.

• A sound understanding of environmental issues, sustainability, and education.

• A knack for creating engaging resources, workshops and events that bring programs to life.

• Experience working across diverse teams—including volunteers and young people.

• Strong systems and operations expertise across HR, compliance, IT, and CRM tools.

• A current driver’s licence and working with children check (or willingness to obtain).

Personal Attributes:

• You bring the heart of a changemaker and the head of a business leader—passionate about the cause, and practical about what it takes to deliver it.

• High energy, positive "can-do" attitude.

• Strong interpersonal skills; able to build rapport quickly.

• Flexible and adaptable; comfortable wearing multiple hats.

• Strategic thinker who is willing and able to roll up their sleeves and handle routine, operational tasks.

Bonus points for a background in environmental education and curriculum knowledge.

Don’t meet every single requirement?

We encourage you to apply anyway. We’re committed to finding the right person, and your passion, values, and willingness to learn may be just as important as direct experience.

Why Join Us?

At JGIA, you’ll join a small but mighty team that’s growing fast and making a global impact. We offer:

• A flexible, values-led working culture

• A meaningful role where your work truly matters

• Opportunities to grow professionally and personally

• A chance to be part of Jane Goodall’s legacy and global conservation network