Program Manager – NDIS Program
Location: Pennington, South Australia
Employment Type: Full-time, permanent
Pay Range: SCHADS Award, commensurate with qualifications and experience
Join a team that is making a real difference
The Fig Trees is a growing registered NDIS and Support at Home provider committed to delivering high-quality, person-centred services that empower people to live independently and achieve their goals.
As we continue to strengthen and grow our NDIS Program, we are seeking an experienced and capable NDIS Program Manager to lead the operational, financial and service performance of the program.
This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys leading people, solving operational challenges, improving systems and contributing directly to the sustainable growth of a developing NDIS program.
About the Role
The Program Manager is responsible for leading the operational, financial and service performance of the NDIS Program, particularly NDIS Core Supports and associated disability services.
Working closely with the Operations Manager and broader leadership team, you will lead and develop the NDIS team, oversee day-to-day service delivery, monitor program performance, strengthen stakeholder relationships and contribute to business growth and financial sustainability.
The role combines people leadership, program operations, business development, financial oversight, quality management and continuous improvement.
This role is ideal for an experienced disability or community-services professional who enjoys taking ownership of a program, developing capable teams and translating operational challenges into practical improvements.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the day-to-day management of the NDIS Program.
- Lead, supervise and develop Care Coordinators, Program Admins, Program Assistants and Disability Support Workers.
- Foster a positive, accountable and high-performing team culture.
- Conduct supervision, probation and performance reviews and manage performance concerns appropriately.
- Manage workforce planning and support recruitment and workforce development.
- Oversee service delivery, staffing, operational performance and continuity of participant services.
- Monitor program KPIs and operational performance and manage escalated operational issues.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with participants, families, Support Coordinators, hospitals, allied health providers and other stakeholders.
- Support business development, referral development and service expansion initiatives.
- Identify opportunities to increase appropriate service utilisation and develop a sustainable participant portfolio.
- Monitor program revenue, participant funding utilisation, labour costs, other program costs and workforce productivity.
- Identify opportunities to improve productivity, resource utilisation and financial sustainability.
- Develop, implement and improve operational systems and processes.
- Analyse operational data to identify trends, risks and improvement opportunities.
- Lead operational projects and support organisational change initiatives.
- Manage complex participant situations and complaints.
- Monitor service quality, documentation standards and compliance requirements.
- Support clinical governance, risk management, incident management and complaint resolution.
- Participate in internal and external audits, investigations and continuous quality improvement activities.
- Work collaboratively with the Operations Manager and other relevant functions to identify risks and maintain safe, high-quality service delivery.
About You
You are an experienced leader who enjoys being responsible for both people and program performance.
You are comfortable managing day-to-day operational demands while also looking beyond immediate issues to identify how services, systems, workforce capability and financial performance can be improved.
You will bring:
- Strong leadership and people-management skills.
- The ability to establish clear expectations and hold staff accountable while providing appropriate support and coaching.
- Strong operational management, planning and prioritisation skills.
- Sound commercial awareness and the ability to balance participant outcomes with sustainable service delivery.
- The ability to analyse operational and financial information and use it to support decision-making.
- Strong problem-solving and continuous-improvement capability.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Confidence managing complex participant, workforce and stakeholder situations.
- Strong relationship-building capability with participants, families, staff, referral partners and external stakeholders.
- A proactive and organised approach to managing competing priorities.
Essential Requirements
- Qualification in Community Services, Social Work, Nursing, Allied Health, Business, Management or a related discipline.
- Demonstrated experience in a leadership, program management, service management or senior coordination role.
- Experience leading, developing and managing multidisciplinary teams.
- Strong understanding of the NDIS, person-centred practice and quality service delivery.
- Sound understanding of operational and financial management within disability, aged care, health or community services.
- Experience managing operational performance and competing priorities.
- Experience improving systems, processes and service delivery.
- Ability to analyse revenue, labour utilisation and operational performance data.
- Current National Police Check.
- Current Working with Children Check.
- Current NDIS Worker Screening Check.
- Current First Aid and CPR Certificates.
- Current unrestricted Australian Driver's Licence.
- Other screenings and checks as required.
Desirable
- Previous management experience within an NDIS provider.
- Experience managing NDIS Core Supports or complex disability services.
- Experience in business development, referral development or service growth.
- Experience with workforce planning and utilisation.
- Experience monitoring program budgets, revenue, labour costs or financial performance.
- Experience participating in NDIS audits, quality management or continuous improvement activities.
- Experience leading operational projects or organisational change.
Why Join The Fig Trees?
At The Fig Trees, we believe our people are our greatest asset. We are committed to creating a supportive workplace where employees are respected, developed and empowered to succeed.
We offer:
- A key leadership role with meaningful responsibility for the development of our NDIS Program.
- The opportunity to lead and develop a growing multidisciplinary team.
- Direct involvement in program growth, operational improvement and service development.
- Opportunities for professional development and career progression.
- A collaborative working relationship with the Operations Manager and organisational leadership.
- A growing organisation where your professional judgement, ideas and contributions are valued.
- The opportunity to make a genuine difference in the quality of services delivered to people living with disability.
Before You Apply
This is a hands-on program management role.
We are looking for someone who is comfortable taking responsibility for people, operations, service quality and program performance—not simply coordinating individual tasks.
You will need to understand what is happening within your program, support and develop your team, respond effectively to operational challenges, use data to identify areas for improvement, and contribute to the sustainable growth of the NDIS Program.
If you are an experienced leader who enjoys developing people, improving services, solving operational problems and building a strong and sustainable program, we would like to hear from you.
Apply now by submitting your resume and a cover letter outlining your relevant experience and why you would be a strong fit for the NDIS Program Manager role at The Fig Trees.
Pay: From $85,000.00 per year
Work Location: In person
