Job Category: Community Services and Development,Executive & Strategic Management
Executive Director – Practice, Insights and Advocacy
For nearly 50 years, Jesuit Social Services has stood in solidarity with people and communities where the need is greatest. This includes those impacted by social, economic and ecological injustices. We understand the interconnectedness of all life and that we are all held and sustained in a web of relationships – across people, place and planet.
In our work we see first hand the impacts of persistent and entrenched disadvantage; the isolation and exclusion of vulnerable people and groups; unacceptable levels of homelessness, mental illness, and imprisonment; and disengagement from education and employment. All of this is compounded by the disproportionate impacts of environmental degradation and climate change on those most in need. This compels us to seek out new ways of thinking and operating – our business is to find solutions.
The Executive Director – Practice, Insights and Advocacy is a leader of this important work. This role has responsibility for strengthening and embedding Jesuit Social Services’ our practice, and integrating practice, research, policy and advocacy to grow our social impact.
We are seeking a dynamic and innovative executive leader who can drive practice excellence and service development; strengthen organisational capacity to synthesise research, lived experience, data and evidence; and oversee advocacy and influencing efforts.
As a member of Jesuit Social Services executive, you will model and uphold our organisational values of being welcoming, discerning and courageous. You will lead highly capable teams across learning and practice development, child safety, data and research, policy and advocacy, and strategic communications and fundraising, while building relationships across the organisation and with key external stakeholders.
Attractive salary and salary packaging is offered together with ongoing professional and career development. This is a full-time position based in Melbourne, with a presence required at Richmond and other Jesuit Social Services locations as needed.
What Jesuit Social Services can offer you:
- An organisation that lives its values, through its day to day work
- A welcoming and supportive relational environment
- A comprehensive Induction and Orientation program
- Ongoing training and development related to your role
- Employee assistance program
- A competitive salary plus salary packaging benefits
- Generous leave
About the program
The Practice Development, Insights and Advocacy directorate nurtures and supports high quality practice, research, evaluation, policy and advocacy activity across Jesuit Social Services. Key focus areas include:
- Building organisational capacity and overseeing the implementation of key frameworks including Our Way of Working and Jesuit Social Services’ social change model.
- Leading organisational efforts to strengthen practice excellence, service development, research, evaluation, policy and advocacy.
- Integrating evidence, lived experience and practice wisdom across the organisation’s design, delivery, evaluation and influencing work.
- child safety obligations, practice and reporting.
- strategic communications and fundraising.
What we are seeking
This role will suit a candidate with the following skills and experience:
- Tertiary qualification/s and senior leadership experience in relevant fields such as social work, health, human services or practice research. Grounded practitioner experience is highly desirable.
- Significant senior leadership, people and resource management experience within a social service organisation, including program development and delivery experience.
- Demonstrated research and conceptual skills to utilise data and evidence at all points of design, delivery and evaluation.
- Experience in leading and contributing to strategic thinking, policy development, advocacy and strategic communications, with the capacity to work proactively and innovatively.
- Superior interpersonal and stakeholder engagement skills, with experience building relationships internally and externally and providing leadership consistent with Jesuit Social Services’ identity, ethos and values.
How to apply
- Upload your resume and cover letter incorporating your responses to the Key Selection Criteria from the Position Description.
- For further information please contact Kirsten Hill, Manager, Human Resources and Payroll, [email protected]
Applications close at 5.00pm on Friday 19th June 2026
Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis and the closing date may be subject to change without notice.
Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis and the closing date may be subject to change without notice.
Jesuit Social Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to providing a working environment that embraces and values diversity and inclusion. We celebrate and welcome all people regardless of ethnicity, cultural background, age, gender, sexuality, disability or religious affiliation.
We strongly encourage applications from all community members including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, members of the LGBTIQA+ community, people with a disability, people of culturally diverse backgrounds and working parents.
Jesuit Social Services is a Child Safe organisation and is committed to protecting children and young people from harm. We require all applicants to undergo an extensive screening process prior to appointment.
