Program Manager - Connected Communities

Permanent, full-time opportunity, based in St Kilda. 

Lead work that strengthens communities.

We are seeking a Program Manager, Connected Communities to lead high-quality community and healthcare programs across multiple sites, improving access, strengthening community connection and delivering responsive services for marginalised communities.

As a not-for-profit organisation, Better Health Network supports people and families at different stages of life and works with communities to strengthen health and wellbeing. We believe better health and wellbeing is built around community.

About the role

You’ll lead high-impact community support and connection programs, providing strong operational leadership, workforce oversight and sector expertise across housing, volunteering and ageing supports. You’ll enable teams to deliver culturally safe, client-centred services that improve access, strengthen outcomes and build trusted partnerships across the health and community services sector.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Leading service strategy and operations aligned to client and community needs.
• Managing staffing, recruitment, supervision and rostering.
• Supporting direct reports to meet operational and strategic goals.
• Building partnerships that strengthen service integration and outcomes.
• Monitoring performance, contracts, reporting and service targets.
• Managing budgets and financial performance.
• Leading service improvement, innovation and change.
• Contributing to funding, grants, tenders and business development.

About you

You are a confident people and program leader with deep experience across community services, social support, housing, ageing or health. You bring a strong client focus, sound judgement and the ability to lead teams through change while maintaining quality, safety and measurable outcomes.

You’ll bring:

• Relevant qualifications in Business, Health or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• Proven leadership in social support, housing, health or community programs.
• Ability to lead through aged care, mental health or sector reform.
• Strength in community engagement, capacity building and consumer participation.
• Experience designing, implementing and evaluating evidence-informed programs.
• Strong operational leadership, including service delivery and team performance.
• Sound financial management, budgeting and performance monitoring skills.
• Clear communication, negotiation and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Commitment to BHN’s values, purpose and cultural aspirations.

Desirable experience:

• Leading in values-led organisations through change, transformation or integration.
• Working in housing and homelessness services.
• Relevant professional membership.
• Postgraduate qualifications in Business, Health or a related field.

Why join BHN?

Join a values-led organisation where your leadership strengthens access, connection and wellbeing across Bayside and south-east Melbourne.

You’ll benefit from:

• Flexible work options.
• Salary packaging benefits.
• Ongoing learning and development.
• A collaborative, supportive team.
• Purposeful work with real community impact.

Location

This role is primarily based at the Victorian Pride Centre, 79-81 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda, with travel to additional sites as required.

Apply now

Apply with your resume and cover letter outlining your interest and relevant experience. Apply by 5pm Wednesday 9th September 2026, but early applications are encouraged as we will review them as received.

For enquiries, contact Stav Stathopoulos, General Manager, Mental Health & Community Services at sstathopoulos@bhn.org.au using the subject line: Program Manager - Connected Communities enquiry via EthicalJobs.

We are values-led and inclusive, welcoming people from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, culturally and linguistically diverse, LGBTQIA+ and all communities.

Pre-employment checks include references, Police Check, Working with Children Check, right to work, aged care checks, driver’s licence and vaccination requirements.

A position description is attached.