Service Development Manager, Community Programs (Canberra)

Woden Community Service (WCS) is a for-purpose organisation that has been providing community-based services for over 50 years. Our vision of ‘A caring community where everyone belongs’ is achieved through our values of Inclusion, Compassion, Hope, Responsiveness, Integrity and Social Justice. We deliver services across the ACT covering children, families, young people and seniors including housing and mental health services. The Service Development Manager is responsible for leading commissioning, design, and continuous improvement activities across the Community Programs portfolio, driving growth and innovation while ensuring compliance with all regulatory and contractual requirements. This role provides operational support to the Operations Manager, Community Programs, and oversees smaller portfolio programs. Our Offer:
- Salary packaging option up to $15,899 per Fringe Benefits Tax year, with an additional Meals and Entertainment package available up to $2,650 per Fringe Benefits Tax year.
- 15 days paid personal leave per annum (pro rata) for full & part-time employees.
- 24/7 nationally recognised Employee Assistance Program (EAP), including 3 additional holistic service sessions.
- Ongoing professional development and a supportive team environment.
- Monthly external clinical supervision.
- Enjoy exclusive discounts and everyday savings on essentials at leading Australian retailers such as Woolworths and Coles, all through our Flare Benefits program. Job Description About the Role Reporting to the Executive Manager, Community Programs, the Service Development Manager will:
- Lead commissioning, service design, and growth initiatives across Community Programs
- Drive tender development, grant applications, and new program proposals
- Embed outcome measurement, evaluation, and continuous improvement across the portfolio
- Oversee key enabling functions including intake, community engagement, service user engagement, volunteering, network coordination, and data quality
- Ensure compliance with regulatory, contractual, Child Safe, and organisational requirements
- Build and maintain solid relationships with government, funders, sector partners, and service users
- Lead and develop high-performing teams, fostering a culture of accountability, quality, and learning
- This role provides operational support to the Operations Manager, Community Programs, and has direct and indirect leadership responsibility across a growing portfolio. About You You are a strategic and collaborative leader with demonstrated experience in service development, commissioning, or program design within the community services sector. You bring strong governance discipline and a commitment to service quality, while remaining responsive to emerging community needs. You will also bring:
- Proven experience in compliance, quality assurance, and risk management
- Capability in outcome and impact evaluation and using data to drive service improvement
- Strong stakeholder engagement and high-level report writing skills
- Experience leading and developing multidisciplinary teams
- Tertiary qualifications in human services, social work, community development, or a related field
- Experience in tender writing, project management, health or mental health services, and service user participation will be highly regarded. Apply on Kit Job: kitjobau.com/job/3rm5p5