Careers

• Experience supportive leadership, reflective supervision and professional development
• Hybrid Work Model, Monthly RDO & $17,500 annual vehicle allowance
• Generous Employee Benefits- Access to salary packaging, Fitness Passport + More!

At Life Without Barriers, we’re all about creating safe, supportive environments where children and young people can thrive. Every day, we work closely with families, carers, and communities to help shape brighter futures.

From supporting children and families to empowering people with disability, mental health, or those seeking refuge — we’re here to break down barriers and build better lives.

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

                    Role: Operations Manager – Child, Youth & Family

                    Employment Type: Permanent Full Time

                    Location: Newcastle, with hybrid working arrangements.

Lead services that transform lives. In this rewarding leadership role, you'll oversee the delivery and day-to-day operations of a diverse portfolio of programs supporting children and young people across the Central Coast, including Intensive Therapeutic Care, Intensive Therapeutic Care (Significant Disabilities), Therapeutic Home-Based Care, and Foster & Kinship Care.

You'll provide strong leadership, coaching and mentoring to build capable, high-performing teams and foster a positive, values-driven culture. Working closely with key stakeholders, you'll oversee service performance, workforce planning, budgets and compliance, while ensuring children and young people receive high-quality, therapeutic support.

With a focus on operational excellence, risk management and continuous improvement, you'll play a key role in driving positive outcomes for children, young people and families across the region.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and develop high performing teams while creating a culture of accountability and support
• Deliver therapeutic and child focused services that achieve positive outcomes for children and young people
• Oversee program operations including budgets resources performance targets and continuous improvement
• Ensure services meet organisational policies legislative requirements and quality standards
• Build strong relationships with government community and internal stakeholders
• Drive service improvements innovation and culturally responsive practices including engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities

Skills & Experience

• A recognised Degree level qualification in Human Services or a related field
• Experience leading multi site, multidisciplinary teams in high pressure environments, ideally in child protection or out of home care
• Good understanding of relevant legislation, compliance and regulatory requirements
• Proven ability to manage budgets, competing priorities and deliver outcomes on time
• Experience working with diverse communities including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with a collaborative leadership style
• Well developed organisation and problem solving skills with the ability to stay effective under pressure
• Comfortable using Microsoft Office and preparing clear reports and documentation,
• Current driver’s licence

Successful candidates will be required to clear probity checks including National Criminal History Record Check, NSW Working With Children Check and NSW Residential Care Workers Register Check.

 How to Apply

Include your resume and covering letter click ‘Apply’ and follow the prompts. For general role enquiries contact Emma Kennedy via recruitment@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 at midnight on Sunday 29th November 2026

 Operations Manager, Child, Youth & Family.pdf

Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible as applications are continuously reviewed prior to the closing date; and as such the closing date is subject to change without notice.

We want to employ people who reflect the diversity of our clients to ensure we can support each client's individual needs and wants. We encourage people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander background and people with disability to apply.