The Victorian Council of Social Service (VCOSS) is a charitable organisation working to eliminate poverty in Victoria as the peak body and advocate for Victoria’s social and community services sector. VCOSS’ 200+ community organisation members share our goal to eliminate poverty and disadvantage in Victoria, and include social service providers, grassroots community groups, specialist peak bodies and advocacy organisations.

In addition to supporting the Victorian community sector, VCOSS represents the interests of vulnerable and disadvantaged Victorians in policy debates and advocates for the development of a sustainable, fair and equitable society.

ROLE PURPOSE

The role of Director, Community and Sector Development works closely with the VCOSS CEO and other senior leaders to strategically lead a priority portfolio aimed at strengthening community control and bolstering community sector foundations (e.g. policy, regulatory, systems, workforce development and leadership), collective impact and future sustainability. This includes:

• Thought leadership and vision regarding the state and future of Victoria’s community sector
• Delivery of community, organisation and workforce development projects and initiatives
• Executive Officer, Victorian Skills Authority Industry Advisory Group for care industries
• Research and advocacy on priority issues such as regulation, funding and conditions, sector impact
• Management of sector/government forums and VCOSS member networks, conferences, and events
• Development of new opportunities and revenue streams to expand VCOSS’ community engagement and sector strengthening activities

KEY ACCOUNTABILITiES

Executive Leadership, Business Development and Management

1. Provide innovative leadership as part of the VCOSS Executive leadership team including contributing to organisational planning, strategy implementation, budgeting, financial management and operational decision making.
2. Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team, and foster a culture of innovation, accountability, creativity and teamwork across VCOSS.
3. Lead entrepreneurial and business development activities for the Community and Sector Development function, including project ideation, business planning, funding and partnership development.
4. Manage the portfolio budget and resources to ensure operational efficiency and financial sustainability, and ensure compliance with all relevant legal, regulatory and organisational policies.
5. Effectively manage a small number of strategic projects as allocated by the CEO.

Community Sector Foundations

1. Design and lead projects and advocacy in the areas of sector regulation, funding, workplace relations, community empowerment and the future of the social sector.
2. Monitor trends and drive initiatives aimed at strengthening community organisations' capacity, resilience and data-driven decision making.
3. Strengthen relationships and build new partnerships with key stakeholders including government, peak bodies and external organisations to support Victorian communities through an effective, innovative and well-resourced community sector.

Sector Workforce Development

1. Collaboratively lead workforce development initiatives including funded projects that promote improved career pathways, retention and development of community services workers, including management of the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing’s Community and Social Services Graduate Program.
2. Provide Executive Officer services to the Industry Advisory Group for Early Educators, Health & Human Services, Sport and Recreation (IAG) in line with the requirements of the Victorian Skills Authority as summarised in Appendix A.

Community Voice and Control

1. Support the development and implementation of frameworks and internal capability for engagement with people with lived and living expertise, ensuring that VCOSS and the community sector (as well as government and other institutions) advance respectful and empowering approaches to lived experience workers, advocates and movements.
2. Work collaboratively with the VCOSS CEO and other executives and alongside Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) and First Peoples leaders, to develop and implement plans and commitments to advance Aboriginal self- determination, promote truth-telling, justice and Treaty, and address racism and the ongoing impacts of colonisation with a focus on Victoria’s social and community services system.

ORGANISATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS

Reports to: Chief Executive Officer

Supervises: Internal team as delegated by CEO that currently includes:

Key Internal Stakeholders

• Executive leadership team

Key External Stakeholders

• VCOSS Members
• Government agencies
• Funders including philanthropy
• Community leaders

KEY SELECTION CRITERIA

1. Significant experience in executive or senior management level roles within the not-for- profit sector, with a track record of leading successful organisations or initiatives focused on community and sector development, advocacy and/or capacity building.
2. Extensive knowledge of the social and community services sector, including comprehensive knowledge of workforce and skills issues affecting community services organisations and broader ‘care economy’ workforce, funding and regulatory environments, data opportunities and challenges, and collective impact models.
3. Demonstrated experience in delivering projects and advocacy on issues relevant to community service organisations in Victoria, ideally with a focus on workforce and skills, funding and regulation, quality service models, innovation and sustainability.
4. Strong relationship building skills with a broad range of stakeholders including government, community organisations, academics and people with lived experience.
5. Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including demonstrated ability to translate complex and technical subjects into simple language and engaging outputs.
6. Excellent organisational skills, with flexibility to think creatively while prioritising a range of competing demands and work to deadlines.
7. Highly developed interpersonal and diplomacy skills, with a track record of developing high performing teams and collaborative partnerships with community partners and government and philanthropic funders.
8. Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative team.
9. Knowledge and a commitment to the objectives and values of VCOSS and a capacity to represent VCOSS views as required.

Please contact Erin Treloar for more information on 0439 440 985 or [email protected] using the subject line: Director of Community and Sector Development enquiry via EthicalJobs.

A position description is attached.