Regional Director, Child Youth and Family Services

Regional Director, Child, Youth & Family Services - Victoria

The Organisation

At Life Without Barriers, we deliver inclusive, trauma-informed services that support children, young people, families, and carers to thrive.

Through foster and kinship care, residential care, family services, and community-based programs, we work alongside children, families, carers, and communities to create safe, supportive environments where every child and young person can reach their potential.

Join us to discover a purpose you can wrap your heart around!

The Role

Permanent Full-Time Position | Hybrid Role | Based in Melbourne or Geelong

This is a unique opportunity for an experienced and strategic leader to drive service excellence and growth across Life Without Barriers Child, Youth & Family Services portfolio in Victoria.

Reporting to the State Director for TAS/VIC, the Regional Director will lead a broad portfolio of services, including Foster and Kinship Care (Family Based Care), Residential Care, Family Services, and other child and family programs across Victoria. The role is responsible for providing strategic direction, operational leadership, and governance oversight while ensuring children, young people, families, and carers receive safe, high-quality, and outcomes-focused support.

As a key member of the Victorian leadership team, you will work closely with government, community, and sector partners to strengthen service delivery, identify growth opportunities, and contribute to positive outcomes for children and families across the state.

Regular travel throughout Victoria will be required.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership across a diverse portfolio of Child, Youth & Family Services throughout Victoria.
• Lead, inspire, and develop multidisciplinary teams to deliver safe, high-quality, trauma-informed services.
• Oversee the performance, quality, compliance, safeguarding, and operational effectiveness of Family Based Care, Residential Care, and family support programs.
• Build and maintain strong partnerships with government departments, funding bodies, Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations, and sector stakeholders.
• Drive service innovation, business development, and sustainable growth opportunities across the Victorian portfolio.
• Ensure compliance with legislative requirements, funding agreements, accreditation standards, and organisational policies.
• Lead continuous improvement, quality assurance, risk management, and governance initiatives.
• Manage significant budgets and financial performance to ensure sustainable and effective service delivery.
• Foster a culture of accountability, inclusion, collaboration, and continuous learning.
• Champion culturally safe and responsive practices that improve outcomes for children, young people, families, and carers.

Experience Required

To be successful in this role, you will be an accomplished senior leader with a strong track record of delivering operational excellence and driving positive outcomes within Child, Youth & Family Services.

• Demonstrated senior leadership experience within Child, Youth & Family Services, including Foster and Kinship Care, Residential Care, Family Services, or Out-of-Home Care.
• Proven ability to lead large, geographically dispersed service portfolios through periods of growth and change.
• Strong understanding of Victorian child protection, out-of-home care, and family service systems.
• Experience developing and maintaining productive relationships with government agencies, peak bodies, community organisations, and key stakeholders.
• Demonstrated success managing complex operational environments, budgets, service contracts, and organisational risk.
• Strong commercial acumen and the ability to identify and implement strategic growth opportunities.
• Commitment to Reconciliation and delivering culturally safe and inclusive services.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, negotiation, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Relevant tertiary qualifications in Social Work, Psychology, Human Services, Community Services, Business, or a related discipline.

Full position description attached - Regional Director Child Youth and Family - PD.pdf

Benefits

• Meaningful work opportunity with one of Australia’s leading social purpose organisations
• Generous Salary Packaging benefits including NFP salary packaging and vehicle allowance
• Flexible hybrid working environment + optional monthly RDO

How to Apply

Include your resume and cover letter in one document, click ‘Apply’ and follow the prompts. For any enquiries relating to the position, contact tracy.dallas@lwb.org.au

Candidates with disabilities who require adjustments to the recruitment process or the application form in an alternate format can visit https://www.lwb.org.au/careers/ for information on our access and inclusion work and how to contact us directly.

Applications close midnight Thursday 29th of October 2026.