As Australia’s peak and largest member body for disability service organisations, we have a long history, combining national reach with deep local expertise and a strong culture centred on knowledge and excellence.  

The next five years will be critical for the disability sector, as change continues to reshape how services are delivered and funded. A quality and sustainable disability ecosystem depends on quality and sustainable providers of disability services. These organisations have deep expertise, often built over decades. They invest in their workforce, maintain high-quality systems and are connected to their local communities. Without them, people living with disability will lose access to quality supports, especially those with complex support needs and those in rural and remote areas.

Yet, as the policy, regulatory, and funding landscape continues to shift, many quality providers face mounting pressure on their financial viability. In the context of heightened scrutiny on government expenditure, it is more important than ever that these organisations not only survive but thrive.

NDS embraces its leadership role in this time of change. We are committed to transforming how we support our members, ensuring they have the resources to navigate this evolving landscape. At the same time, rapid advancements in technology, big data, and Artificial Intelligence are reshaping service delivery, creating both new opportunities and new expectations. NDS will harness these innovations to drive progress and strengthen the sector. To find out more about NDS, please visit our website at https://nds.org.au.

About the Role

Reports to: CEO

Direct Reports: 4

Position Purpose 

NDS, as a national organisation, has members of our team based in all capital cities. The NSW State Manager is a member of the Executive Team and participates in strategic planning and decision-making at an organisational level. 

At a state level, this role provides leadership in influencing public policy (at both state and national levels), developing and disseminating information and identifying, leading and facilitating networking opportunities that support NDS members in their work to deliver high quality sustainable support and life opportunities for people with disability. This role also oversees the performance of the ACT Territory Manager.

A strong understanding of, and ability to advocate on operational and wider policy issues concerning the disability ecosystem including the NDIS, disability employment and foundation supports is critical to success in this role.

Key Responsibilities

• Demonstrate values driven leadership to the NSW team and the wider NDS team
• Demonstrate strong understanding of the disability ecosystem 
• Develop, lead and coordinate state based local policy and advocacy initiatives, core funding, member support, and sector initiatives
• Drive membership engagement and growth
• Contribute to the development of national policy and advocacy initiatives, key projects and member support and sector initiatives
• Manage the operations of the State Office 

• Strong leadership and management capabilities, preferably at an executive level
• High level consultation, communication and interpersonal skills with the demonstrated capacity to build relationships, engage with a range of internal and external stakeholders and navigate different and competing interests
• Capability to contribute at a local and national level to ensure sustainable outcomes aligned to national policies, legislation and NDS’s strategic direction
• An understanding of public policy processes, with knowledge of wider disability policy and allied areas of human service policy.
• Capacity to undertake regular travel within the state, and nationally as needed 

What We Offer

• Flexible working opportunities including hybrid working (1 day+ per week in the office)
• Salary packaging benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Staff Rewards & Discounts program
• Learning and development opportunities

To Apply

We welcome candidates from all backgrounds and value diversity and inclusion in our workplace. We encourage all applicants, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability, LGBTIQ and culturally diverse communities to join NDS.

NDS is committed to supporting equal employment opportunities for individuals with disability and will provide reasonable workplace adjustments. We encourage potential applicants with lived experience to contact NDS to discuss any questions regarding individual workplace adjustments. NDS also provides adjustments throughout the recruitment process. If you identify as a person with disability and require adjustments to the application, recruitment, selection and/or assessment process, please advise via [email protected] using the subject line: State Manager, New South Wales enquiry via EthicalJobs or 02 9256 3104 and indicate your preferred method of communication (email or phone).

Please send your CV and a cover letter outlining your Skills & Experience in the areas listed above by clicking on the "Apply Now" button.

For further information please contact [email protected]. Please do not send your application to this email address, as it's for enquiries only.

The successful applicant must be prepared to undertake a pre-employment police check.

No agencies please.