Director – Community Education

Tradewind Australia · Western Suburbs Melbourne · Posted 2 weeks ago

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Full-timeRemote

Education and Training, Management, Executive and Senior Management, Operations and Risk Management

Not For Profit (NFP)

Job description

Salary: $130-145K + Super + NFP packaging

Location: Melbourne - Western Suburbs - Multi-site + Hybrid

Employment Type: Full Time, Permanent

Start Date: November 2026

Lead Strategy, Growth & Impact Across a Major Community Education Portfolio

Tradewind Australia is partnering with a respected community organisation in Melbourne's western suburbs to recruit an experienced Director - Community Education.

This is a senior leadership opportunity responsible for the strategic direction, performance and sustainability of a substantial Community Education portfolio, including a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) delivering government-funded education and training programs.

The role will suit an experienced senior leader with strong education, RTO or community services experience who can provide strategic direction across a complex, multi-site portfolio while balancing quality, compliance, financial sustainability and community need.

About the Organisation

Our client is a well-established community organisation supporting people and communities experiencing disadvantage and social exclusion.

The Community Education portfolio delivers a diverse range of accredited and non-accredited education and training programs across multiple locations, with a strong focus on creating pathways to employment, education and greater community participation.

About the Role

As Director - Community Education, you will provide strategic and operational leadership across the Community Education portfolio, ensuring programs are effective, financially sustainable, strategically aligned and compliant with contractual and regulatory requirements.

The portfolio includes programs such as the Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP), Employability Skills Training (EST), English as an Additional Language (EAL), Skills for Education and Employment (SEE), ACFE and other foundation skills programs.

You will lead Program Managers and education teams across multiple locations, working closely with senior leadership, government departments, funding bodies, regulators and community stakeholders.

This is a genuine senior management position with accountability for portfolio strategy, performance, funding, financial sustainability, governance, risk and continuous improvement.

Benefits

$120-130K + Super + NFP packaging

Senior leadership opportunity with strategic influence across a substantial education portfolio

Lead a diverse, multi-site Community Education and RTO function

Hybrid working arrangements with flexibility across multiple Melbourne locations

Influence program strategy, performance, growth and long-term sustainability

Work closely with senior leadership, government, funders and regulators

Make a meaningful impact supporting communities experiencing disadvantage

Key Responsibilities

Provide strategic leadership and portfolio-level accountability across program performance, financial sustainability, delivery models and multi-site operations

Oversee budgets, financial performance, funding compliance and portfolio sustainability, providing reporting and recommendations to Executive and Board forums

Lead portfolio performance, financial sustainability, funding outcomes and continuous improvement

Develop funding strategies, tender submissions and contract negotiations while ensuring successful acquittals

Oversee governance, compliance, risk and regulatory requirements across the portfolio

Lead and develop Program Managers and education leaders, building accountability and high-performance capability

Use data, performance insights and evaluation to inform strategic decision-making, providing high-level reporting and recommendations to Executive and Board forums

What You'll Bring

Demonstrated senior leadership experience across a complex education, RTO or community services portfolio

Strong understanding of RTO operations, regulatory requirements, quality frameworks and government-funded training

Proven ability to set strategic direction and manage portfolio performance, financial sustainability and risk

Experience managing funding relationships, tenders, contracts and senior government or regulatory stakeholders

Demonstrated ability to lead multi-site teams, manage organisational change and drive continuous improvement

Strong communication, negotiation and stakeholder management skills, supported by a tertiary qualification in Education, Management or a related discipline

RTO leadership experience is highly desirable, particularly experience within a complex Registered Training Organisation and government-funded education programs.

Additional Requirements

Current Working with Children Check, Current National Police Check, Current Victorian Driver Licence

Ability to meet relevant RTO eligibility requirements

Ability to travel between various worksites and locations as required

About Tradewind Australia

Tradewind Australia is a multi-award-winning recruitment agency specialising in education and community sector leadership roles.

We partner with leading organisations across Victoria to connect experienced professionals with meaningful permanent and interim opportunities.

What sets Tradewind apart:

Specialist consultants with deep sector expertise

Tailored support throughout the recruitment process

Insight into organisational culture, leadership and role expectations

Transparent communication and ongoing career support

Access to exclusive permanent and contract opportunities

We focus on supporting people, not just filling jobs.

About Tradewind Australia

See all 2 live roles at Tradewind Australia →

About Tradewind Australia

Djirra provides specialist legal support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women facing family violence. The organisation is committed to delivering culturally safe services that empower clients and improve legal outcomes for these communities, while operating with cultural integrity and a focus on self-determination.

Private: Tradewind Australia has 1 other live role on this board.

This ad does not state pay. Education & Training roles on this board that do show it typically pay $97,000 to $119,000 (10 listings).

Before you apply

This ad mentions:

Police check
Working with Children Check
Driver licence
Tertiary qualification

Roles from this employer typically stay open about 44 days on this board.

Working in Western Suburbs Melbourne

The Western Suburbs of Melbourne is a diverse area with a mix of residential and industrial zones. It features a range of employment opportunities across various sectors, including manufacturing, logistics, retail and healthcare. Many large companies have operations in this region, providing job seekers with options, from entry-level positions to skilled trades.

Access to the Western Suburbs is facilitated by extensive public transport networks, including trains and buses. Major roads connect the area to the central city and surrounding suburbs, making it relatively easy to commute for work.

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Director – Community Education Tradewind Australia · reviewing applications as they arrive

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