Executive Director of Innovation and Strategy

We are seeking a creative and strategic thinker to lead innovation and strategy at Victoria’s leading criminal justice reintegration service. As Executive Director of Innovation and Strategy, you will lead new program development, research and policy, advocacy and communications. As part of the Executive Team, you will embed a culture collaboration, innovation, courage and curiosity guided by our values.

Position Snapshot

• Salary range - $135,336 - $140,671 Level 8 SCHADS Award 2010 + Superannuation (pay point dependent on qualifications and experience)

• Full time (1.0 FTE) ongoing position – working Monday to Friday however, we have hybrid arrangements with two days in the office (Tuesdays and Wednesdays)

• The position is based in Melbourne CBD

• Generous not-for-profit salary packaging and annual leave loading is available

Position overview

As the Executive Director of Innovation and Strategy, you will lead the development of innovative new approaches to reintegration; oversee our world-first Reintegration Practice Framework and monitoring and evaluation strategy; shape Vacro’s criminal justice research, policy and advocacy work; and ensure Vacro has the partnerships and funding to deliver innovative, sector leading services.

You will provide leadership as a member of the Executive Team, developing a culture collaboration, innovation, courage and curiosity across Vacro. You will also have hands-on responsibility for program design, and tracking uptake of the Reintegration Practice Framework across Vacro.

About Vacro

Vacro is an independent non-profit organisation working with people caught in the criminal justice system and their families. Founded in 1872, we are Victoria’s oldest and only specialised criminal justice reintegration service. We provide reintegration, family, and employment support that enables people to create new beginnings for themselves and their families.

Vacro is committed to ensuring that diversity and inclusion are at the core of our organisation and the way we work. We believe that our team members are our greatest asset. By supporting diversity, inclusion and respect, we create a workplace where everyone feels valued and empowered to bring their full selves to work.

We value the expertise of people from a wide range of backgrounds. Because of the work we do, we especially value the expertise of First Nations people, people with lived experience of the criminal justice system, and people of diverse sexualities and gender identities. We welcome applications from a wide range of candidates, including people with a criminal record. (We do not discriminate based on a person’s criminal record, however in some circumstances, contractual or legislative obligations may limit a person’s eligibility for certain roles. We are happy to have a confidential discussion about how these requirements may affect a candidate).

Vision

New beginnings, stronger communities.

Mission

To support new beginnings for people in the criminal justice system and their families, and build safer and stronger communities.

Values

Dignity & Humanity – We stand alongside our participants and each other, always recognising and respecting their value, dignity and humanity.    

Empowerment – We empower people to continually grow, lead, and expand their possibilities.    

Aspiration – We support people to seize opportunities, for futures imagined, reclaimed, or redefined.   

Meaningful change – We challenge injustice and advocate for both systemic and personal change, approaching this work with courage and respect. 

About the role

This role suits a creative thinker with program design experience who has a deep understanding of policy, advocacy and academic research.

Key responsibilities include:

• Advise the CEO and Board’s Strategic Planning Committee on Vacro’s strategic direction.

• Lead the design of new services and approaches informed by evidence-based research and data and practice insights.

• Ensure Vacro’s world-first Reintegration Practice Framework and Lived Experience Framework are embedded in our front-line work and guide our research, innovation and policy.

• Develop a research and evaluation strategy and build research relationships with leading academics.

• Oversee Vacro’s policy, advocacy, communications and fundraising strategies.

Key capabilities include:

• Demonstrated ability to develop strategic and creative responses to complex issues.

• Tertiary qualification in social sciences or a related field or other relevant field and a demonstrated understanding of research and evaluation methodologies (e.g. via a PhD or equivalent research).

• Practical understanding of community services sector funding, legislative and industry requirements.

• Knowledge and understanding of the complex issues relating to people who have been in contact with the criminal justice system, particularly those who have been incarcerated and their families highly regarded.

• A minimum of 5 years’ experience producing writing that is final version quality ready for publication.

• Proven ability to work collaboratively with staff and stakeholders, seeking their opinions, involving them in decision making and communicating findings in a timely and relevant manner

What we offer

Vacro is dedicated to staff wellbeing. We provide extensive on-boarding training and ongoing professional development for staff, amongst other benefits.

Vacro is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to providing a working environment that embraces and values diversity and inclusion. We celebrate and welcome all people regardless of ethnicity, cultural background, age, gender, sexuality, disability or religious affiliation.

How to apply

To apply, or for any enquiries regarding the role, kindly email us at ••••@vacro.org.au using the subject line: Executive Director of Innovation and Strategy. Please email your application to ••••@vacro.org.au by 9.00am on Thursday 3 September 2026.

In your application, please include your resume (or CV), and a cover letter that addresses the key selection criteria in the position description, you can find the position description on our "Work at Vacro"webpage https://www.vacro.org.au/work-at-vacro

Please ensure that you save your resume and cover letter with your name. For example, Jane Smith Cover letter.

Please note, if you choose to utilise generative AI in your application (e.g. ChatGPT), then please ensure you take steps to personalise your responses.

If you require any reasonable adjustments or cultural adjustments during the recruitment process, please email ••••@vacro.org.au as part of your application