Who we are

Social Ventures Australia (SVA) is a not-for-profit organisation, registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission, that works with our partners towards an Australia where all people and communities thrive.

We influence systems to deliver better social outcomes for people by learning about what works in communities, helping organisations be more effective, sharing our perspectives and advocating for change.

SVA’s work is underpinned by three core business units of Impact Investing, Programs and Ventures and Consulting. To drive the change we seek, we build on our practical knowledge of effective practice in areas such as education, employment, housing and with First Australians.

The Consulting team

SVA pioneered social sector consulting in Australia and in the past 15 years, the team has worked with hundreds of clients to deliver high impact projects. We work exclusively on projects that strengthen the social sector and have a positive impact on people and communities.

Our solutions are tailored to the context and needs of our clients, which include service delivery organisations, government agencies, philanthropic organisations and corporates with a demonstrated commitment to social impact. Our team members are located across Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Darwin and Brisbane and have become long-term, trusted partners to our clients.

The opportunity

We have an opportunity available for a consultant or manager to join SVA’s Sydney Consulting team.

Consultants are typically responsible for leading or contributing to problem-solving, managing resourcing requirements within the scope of their role as they relate to a broader project, facilitating workshops, building client relationships and providing support to more junior staff, with guidance and support from more senior team members as required.

Similarly, Managers are typically responsible for leading or contributing to problem solving, managing projects and resourcing requirements to deliver on client commitments, strengthening the establishment and development of strong client relationships and providing coaching and mentoring to more junior staff, with guidance from Directors and Principals as required. Outside of project-based work, Managers apply their knowledge of SVA offerings to identify emerging opportunities for the team.

Both roles work across multiple projects, usually two or more at a time, with a typical project lasting between three and six months.

Working in SVA’s Consulting team provides exposure to challenging and rewarding opportunities. You will build close relationships with inspiring clients and communities, sector leaders, colleagues and stakeholders, which provides a great foundation for professional growth and development. You will collaborate with a growing and highly committed team with wide-ranging experience across the social sector.

Your benefits

• Work in a business awarded Best CSR Innovation by the Australian Financial Review (AFR) in 2023 and recognised as one of the AFR’s most innovative not-for-profit organisations
• Be part of the SVA team known for living by our values to put people at the centre and be open and ready to learn
• We don’t believe that “one size fits all” so we offer flexibility and a hybrid work model that is specific to your team and recognises that work is only one of our priorities.
• Join a business with a focus on your wellbeing and development with an additional week’s annual leave after working with SVA for two continuous years.

Who you are

Consultants will:

• Bring 3+ years’ experience in management/strategy consulting, or similar client facing professional services problem-solving role (e.g. law, finance, business)
• Demonstrate that they are self-motivated, strive for excellence and will take key tasks through to completion
• Possess strong interpersonal skills and work well in a team environment
• Have experience undertaking research, analysing data, building presentations, and writing reports
• Have the ability to plan and project manage entire client projects or a component of a client project

Managers will:

• Be self-motivated and have the ability to ensure key tasks and requirements are taken through to completion
• Bring 6+ years’ experience in management/strategy consulting, or similar client facing professional services problem-solving roles (e.g., law, finance, business). This will include experience in identifying the core client problem to be solved, structuring workplans, and designing and executing analysis to test hypotheses while maintaining focus on the most critical issues
• Have previous experience in research, data modelling and analysis, building presentations and reports
• Possess strong interpersonal skills and be sensitive to engaging clients in challenging situations with empathy and respect
• Demonstrate a sound understanding of strategic consulting tools, including frameworks to structure and push thinking and the ability to lead junior team members in developing these skills
• Possess strong relationship and project management skills and be known for their experience in facilitating and working within a multi-stakeholder environment
• Plan and project manage entire client projects or individual components of a client project

SVA values diversity and encourages applications from candidates of all backgrounds, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and people of colour. We value people of all abilities and diversity of culture, faith, gender identity and sexual orientation. We welcome unique contributions and perspectives of all people to ensure our workforce is representative of the communities we work with and live in.

SVA has a COVID-safe plan in place to protect the health and safety of our people, visitors and the wider community. We work with various sectors of the community, including vulnerable individuals and others in our workplaces. We believe that being vaccinated to protect against infectious diseases such as COVID19 is an important part of supporting our community. Hence, consistent with our current Vaccination Policy, all successful candidates must be up to date with their COVID19 vaccination or have a valid medical exemption and provide evidence of this.

The position description is available on the SVA website, here.

We strongly encourage you to review the position description before applying for the role.

If you have the experience and knowledge we are looking for and are excited to join our team, please submit your CV (max 2 pages) and a statement (max 1 page) addressing the person requirements.

Please note we may consider applications on an ongoing basis and therefore encourage you to apply at your earliest opportunity.