Quality, Risk and Safeguarding Manager

Summary:

Mercy Connect is seeking an experienced and values-driven Quality, Risk and Safeguarding Manager to lead our quality assurance, risk management, safeguarding, compliance and accreditation functions.

Based in Thurgoona, NSW, this full-time leadership role is responsible for driving continuous improvement, strengthening safeguarding practices, maintaining accreditation readiness and embedding quality and risk frameworks across the organisation. Working closely with leaders and teams, you will play a key role in ensuring Mercy Connect delivers safe, high-quality and participant-centred services.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the implementation and ongoing development of Mercy Connect’s Quality Framework, promoting continuous improvement and organisational learning.
• Oversee quality assurance activities, audits, reviews and improvement initiatives across the organisation.
• Lead and embed organisational risk management systems, supporting informed decision-making and organisational resilience.
• Coordinate accreditation, certification and compliance activities, ensuring ongoing readiness for external audits and reviews.
• Provide strategic leadership in safeguarding, participant voice and child safety initiatives.
• Analyse quality, risk, safeguarding, incident and compliance data, identifying trends and opportunities for improvement.
• Prepare reports, recommendations and governance documentation for the Executive Team and Board.
• Lead, mentor and develop a multidisciplinary team including Quality Assurance, Participant Welfare and Clinical Services functions.
• Partner with managers and stakeholders to strengthen compliance, improve service quality and achieve strategic objectives.

Responsibilities

• Lead the implementation and ongoing development of Mercy Connect’s Quality Framework, promoting continuous improvement and organisational learning.
• Oversee quality assurance activities, audits, reviews and improvement initiatives across the organisation.
• Lead and embed organisational risk management systems, supporting informed decision-making and organisational resilience.
• Coordinate accreditation, certification and compliance activities, ensuring ongoing readiness for external audits and reviews.
• Provide strategic leadership in safeguarding, participant voice and child safety initiatives.
• Analyse quality, risk, safeguarding, incident and compliance data, identifying trends and opportunities for improvement.
• Prepare reports, recommendations and governance documentation for the Executive Team and Board.
• Lead, mentor and develop a multidisciplinary team including Quality Assurance, Participant Welfare and Clinical Services functions.
• Partner with managers and stakeholders to strengthen compliance, improve service quality and achieve strategic objectives.

Qualifications & Experience

• Tertiary qualification in quality management, risk management, governance, community services, social work, health, disability or a related discipline.
• Demonstrated leadership experience in quality assurance, risk management, safeguarding, compliance or continuous improvement within disability, community services, health or human services sectors.
• Strong knowledge of the NDIS, including the NDIS Practice Standards, Quality Indicators, Code of Conduct and safeguarding requirements.
• Experience leading accreditation, audit and compliance activities.
• Exceptional analytical, report writing and communication skills.
• Proven ability to influence, coach and build capability across diverse teams.
• Strong project management and organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities.

Mandatory Requirements

• NDIS Worker Screening Check and/or National Police Check.
• Working with Children Check (WWCC).
• Current driver’s licence and willingness to travel between Mercy Connect locations as required.