- Fixed term – 12 months (parental leave)
- Leading, supervising and mentoring a team to deliver high-quality youth services
- Preston location, close to public transport
Darebin City Council is seeking a confident leader with a background in the youth sector to lead innovative, youth centred services that make a real difference in the lives of young people.
This is a leadership role for someone who can build strong relationships and bring a collaborative solutions-focused approach to your work, passionate about community voice and creating opportunities for young people.
We're building Darebin's future - and we're looking for great people to join us.
As part of our organisational redesign, we're introducing new roles that support Darebin's future focus and priorities.
About the Role
As the Senior Team Leader Youth Program, you will lead a dedicated team delivering programs, projects and engagement initiatives for young people across Darebin. You will champion youth participation, ensuring young people are empowered to shape the services and decisions that affect them.
You will build strong partnerships with community organisations, education and employment bodies, government agencies and specialist services to increase the reach and impact of youth programs, identifying and securing funding opportunities, contributing to policy development, and ensuring programs align with the Families, Youth and Children Strategy.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Leading, supervising and mentoring a team to deliver high quality youth services.
- Planning, developing and evaluating innovative youth programs, projects and events.
- Building and managing strategic partnerships across community, education, employment and government sectors.
- Developing communication and engagement strategies that reach Darebin’s diverse communities.
- Preparing high quality grant applications, submissions, reports and partnership agreements.
- Monitoring budgets, contracts and performance indicators to ensure effective service delivery.
- Identifying emerging issues impacting young people and leading integrated, community focused responses.
- Contributing to policy, procedures and strategic planning across the Youth Engagement Unit.
What you will bring:
- Tertiary qualifications in Youth Work, Social Work, Social Sciences or a related field, or extensive relevant experience.
- Demonstrated experience leading staff and mentoring young people using youth participation models.
- Proven ability to design, deliver and evaluate youth programs within timeframes and budgets.
- Strong understanding of youth participation principles and community development.
- Experience building and managing partnerships with a wide range of stakeholders.
- Experience with budgeting, financial management and external funding processes.
- High level organisational, problem solving and project management skills.
How to Apply:
To apply, please submit your application including a Cover Letter and Resume, address the key selection criteria.
Applications Close 17 July 2026, 11.30pm
Applications will be reviewed during the advertising period so if you are interested in this opportunity, we would encourage you to get your application in as early as possible.
For a confidential discussion about the role and opportunity, contact Jo Smale, Manager Children, Youth & Families on
[email protected]
About Darebin City Council
Culture
As a progressive leader in Local Government, Darebin City Council is passionate about social inclusion, sustainability, engagement and service excellence. We are proud of the diversity of our workforce and recognise the strength this provides in meeting the needs of the community we serve. We are committed to upholding a positive and supportive work environment that values the contribution of all employees and treats all employees with dignity and respect.
Benefits
We offer a range of benefits to our employees including opportunities for personal and professional development, flexible work practices, Employee Assistance Program, recognition and reward program and a variety of generous paid and unpaid leave options.
Commitment to Diversity
Darebin 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.
We’re also happy to adjust our recruitment process to support your accessibility needs.
Pre-employment checks
Darebin is committed to providing a safe working environment that embraces and values child safety, and thorough ‘Safety Screening’ processes apply.
To work at Darebin City Council, you will be required to supply proof of work rights, a Victorian Employee Working with Children Check and comply with Child Safety standards. All employees are required to undertake an Australian Criminal History Check and may be required to complete a Functional Health Assessment,
