Who We Are

Mates That Matter (MTM) is a Sydney-based social organisation for men aged 18–35 with hidden disabilities.

Our members are often neurodivergent, autistic, ADHD, or psychosocially vulnerable and have struggled to find meaningful friendships or feel at home in traditional services. We provide a structured, peer-led environment that helps them build real connections, grow their confidence, and take ownership of their social lives.

We’re not a therapy group or a day program, we’re a community.

Why We Exist

We inspire neurodiverse men to step out of the house so they can find their tribe, build lasting friendships, and take proactive ownership of their social lives. MTM is not a just a service. We’re a movement. One that helps men who’ve struggled to belong find connection, confidence, and independence through community.

About the Role

We’re looking for a Community Lead who is both a builder and a connector, someone who can design engagement systems and show up as a steady and familiar presence in our organisation.

21 - 28 Hours Per Week - (Part Time)

This role is central to how MTM grows. You’ll lead our efforts to move from staff-pushed to peer-powered momentum, using empathy, structure, and a deep understanding of our participants’ needs to build sustainable engagement.

You will lead our community culture and engagement, redesign onboarding, run our Buddy System, speak with stakeholders (participants, parents, support providers) regularly, and respond to subtle signs of disengagement before they become drop-off.

Most importantly, you'll be the cultural anchor, the person participants, parents, and staff trust.

Your Core Responsibilities

Your overarching focus will be to move MTM closer to its FY25–26 engagement goals — including increased attendance, stronger retention, and a self-sustaining community culture.

To do that, you’ll:

• Redesign and deliver our onboarding journey to build strong early momentum
• Manage and improve MTM’s Buddy System to strengthen peer accountability
• Monitor attendance and engagement patterns — and respond to signs of disengagement before they become drop-off
• Maintain regular contact with participants, parents, and support networks
• Build repeatable systems that embed the 4 Pillars of Engagement into our weekly operations:
  • Self-Drive & Internal Motivation
  • Parental Encouragement & Support
  • Peer Influence & Social Bonding
  • Staff Engagement & Structure
• Document and improve community processes so they can be inherited, adapted, and scaled
• Act as the face of MTM’s community function, warm, consistent, and trusted

You’ll Thrive in This Role If You Are:

• Deeply empathetic - you pick up on social cues, shift tone with care, and understand family dynamics
• Proactive - you take initiative, follow through, and speak up when things can be improved
• Observant - you see what isn’t being said and act before you're asked
• Emotionally grounded - you stay calm in socially dynamic environments
• A systems thinker - you see patterns, not just problems, and can design effective processes
• Passionate about supporting neurodiverse men - you want more than a job; you want to lead, you want to build impact.

Experience & Skills

• Required or strongly valued:
• Work or lived experience with neurodivergence, disability, or youth mental health
• Familiarity with hidden disabilities like Autism, ADHD, psychosocial disability, and social anxiety
• Confidence communicating with a wide range of people - participants, parents, and professionals
• Comfort using tools like Google Drive, Spond, ChatGPT, Monday.com.

How You’ll Work

• Based in Sydney — in-office (Crows Nest)
• Regular weekly check-ins with the Managing Director
• Tasks and systems tracked via our CRM and shared team tools
• You’ll be supported by the General Manager, Virtual Assistant, and Events Team

A position description is attached.