About the organisation

Jesuit Social Services is a social change organisation working to build a just society where all people can live to their full potential. We reflect on the critical factors shaping our contemporary world; the social, political and economic contexts, and we adapt our practice to work with those most in need.

Since 1977, Jesuit Social Services has provided services to some of the most disadvantaged in our community.

We place a high priority on advocacy and are a leader in policy development and research.

About the program

The Men’s Project is an initiative of Jesuit Social Services launched in 2017. It builds on Jesuit Social Services’ nearly 50 years of engagement with boys and men and provides leadership on reducing violence and other harmful behaviours, while building approaches that improve wellbeing and keep families and communities safe. The Men’s Project’s focus is prevention and early intervention. Its work includes:

• Groundbreaking research to build evidence about the lives, attitudes and behaviours of boys and men, including flagship studies such as The Man Box and the Adolescent Man Box.
• Programs and workshops that contribute to positive attitudinal change about what it means to be a man in the 21st century and help prevent violence and promote wellbeing, including Modelling Respect and Equality in schools and the Active Respect program with sporting clubs.
• Early intervention initiatives focused on adolescent family violence and boys demonstrating violent and antisocial behaviours, alongside a growing body of child sexual abuse prevention work focused on help-seeking, deterrence and system responses.
• Policy, advocacy, communications and partnerships that strengthen the evidence base, build capability across systems and communities, and contribute to safer, more respectful relationships and communities.

About the role

For nearly 50 years, Jesuit Social Services has stood in solidarity with people and communities where the need is greatest. We work with people living with mental illness, substance misuse, family breakdown, involvement in the criminal justice system, homelessness, unemployment, poverty and social exclusion.

Building on this experience, Jesuit Social Services started The Men’s Project in 2017. Our focus is to address the underlying attitudes, norms and behaviours that drive violence and harm, and to create safer, healthier futures for boys, men, families and communities.

The Executive Director – The Men’s Project is a key leader of this important work. This role provides strategic leadership for The Men’s Project, including thought leadership, partnerships, program development and delivery, and leadership of policy, research and advocacy activities.

We are seeking a dynamic and innovative executive leader who can guide a growing body of national work including research, advocacy and programmatic work. You will be responsible for building strategic partnerships, and supporting a collaborative, values-aligned and high performing team.

As a member of Jesuit Social Services executive, you will model and uphold our organisational values of being welcoming, discerning and courageous. You will build relationships and connect people from across our organisation and the wider community, bringing to life our social change approach which involves both doing (our grounded work with people and communities) and influencing.

Attractive salary and salary packaging is offered together with ongoing professional and career development. This is a full-time position based at Central Office Richmond, with a presence required at other locations including interstate travel.

What Jesuit Social Services can offer you:

• An organisation that lives its values, through its day to day work
• A welcoming and supportive relational environment
• A comprehensive Induction and Orientation program
• Ongoing training and development related to your role
• Employee assistance program
• A competitive salary plus salary packaging benefits
• Generous leave

What we are seeking

This role will suit a candidate with the following skills and experience:

• Tertiary qualification/s and/or relevant senior leadership experience in relevant fields such as social work, health, human services, practice or research. Professional or practice experience in the fields of masculinities, violence prevention, and/or child sexual abuse prevention will be considered favourably.
• Significant senior leadership, people management and resource management experience within a social service, research, policy or allied organisation.
• Experience in leading and contributing to strategic thinking, program design and development, policy and advocacy, with demonstrated capacity to work proactively and innovatively.
• Superior interpersonal and stakeholder engagement skills, with experience building strong relationships across government, philanthropy, research, community and sector partners.
• Active leadership in guiding reflective processes that strengthen commitment to Jesuit Social Services’ identity, ethos and values.

How to Apply

• Click "Apply Now" and submit your resume and cover letter incorporating your responses to the Key Selection Criteria from the Position Description.
• For further information please contact Kirsten Hill our Manager, Human Resources at [email protected] using the subject line: Executive Director - The Men's Project enquiry via EthicalJobs.

Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis and the closing date may be subject to change without notice.

Jesuit Social Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to providing a working environment that embraces and values diversity and inclusion. We celebrate and welcome all people regardless of ethnicity, cultural background, age, gender, sexuality, disability or religious affiliation.

We strongly encourage applications from all community members including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, members of the LGBTIQA+ community, people with a disability, people of culturally diverse backgrounds and working parents.

Jesuit Social Services is a Child Safe organisation and is committed to protecting children and young people from harm. We require all applicants to undergo an extensive screening process prior to appointment.

A position description is attached.