Director | Community Education

Director - Community Education



Salary: $120-130K + 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.

Apply Now

If you're an experienced education, RTO or community services leader looking for a senior opportunity where you can influence strategy, performance and meaningful community outcomes, we'd love to hear from you.

Click "Apply" to submit your CV.

For a confidential discussion, please contact Angus Hayes on 03 9087 1020 or angus.hayes@twrecruitment.com.au.

Commitment to Child Safety, Inclusion and to be an Equal Opportunities Employer

Tradewind Australia is committed to the safety, wellbeing and inclusion of all children and vulnerable people. We strongly encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds.

All successful applicants will undergo reference checks, identity verification and relevant compliance checks as required.

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Desired Skills and Experience

Director - Community Education

Melbourne's western suburbs
Full-time | Permanent
$120,000-$130,000 + super (subject to final confirmation)

Tradewind Australia is partnering with a respected community organisation to appoint a Director - Community Education to lead a diverse, multi-site education portfolio.

This is an opportunity for an experienced senior leader to shape the future direction of community education programs, strengthen performance and sustainability, and make a meaningful difference to people and communities experiencing disadvantage.

The opportunity

- Provide strategic and operational leadership across a substantial Community Education portfolio.
- Oversee program performance, government funding, financial sustainability, governance and compliance.
- Lead and develop Program Managers and education teams across multiple sites.
- Build strong relationships with government departments, funding bodies, regulators and community stakeholders.
- Lead through change while maintaining a visible, supportive and engaged leadership presence.

What we're looking for

We're keen to speak with senior leaders who can balance big-picture strategy with hands-on operational leadership. You'll bring strong people leadership, financial and governance capability, experience managing complex programs, and the ability to build trusted relationships.

Experience within an RTO or government-funded education environment is highly regarded. Direct experience with every program area isn't essential - we're looking for the right leadership capability, strategic thinking and genuine commitment to community outcomes.

If you're looking for a leadership role where you can influence strategy, support a committed team and contribute to meaningful community impact, we'd love to hear from you.

For a confidential discussion, contact Angus Hayes at Tradewind Australia on 03 9087 1020 or angus.hayes@twrecruitment.com.au.