Executive Director – Dunlea Centre, Sutherland Shire

A place for change:

• Dunlea Centre empowers adolescents and families at risk, restoring relationships through therapeutic and educational services.
• This is an opportunity to join a vibrant, inviting setting, making a real difference in the lives of families who are in crisis.
• Dunlea Centre is well known, within Australia and internationally, for its professional, multi-disciplinary staff and range of programmes, with classes now going from YR 5 to the HSC.
• Due to prudent financial governance over many years, the Dunlea Centre has been well funded and its mission is not restricted by any significant liabilities.

Located in Engadine, NSW, the Dunlea Centre is Australia’s original Boys’ Town, established in 1939 by Father Thomas Dunlea. Conducted by the Salesians of Don Bosco, the Centre has a rich heritage embedded in the Salesian tradition of assisting marginalised youth through education, pastoral care, and community support.

The Centre offers a comprehensive suite of services for young people and their families, who are at risk of family breakdown, experiencing difficulty maintaining positive relationships, and struggling to engage successfully in the education system.

The Dunlea Centre is dedicated to transforming the lives of young people and their families by providing holistic and individualised educational, residential, and therapeutic services. Our goal is to assist in restoring relationships, re-engage in learning, and develop positive social skills.

Led by an experienced leadership team and supported by a multi-disciplinary team of professional and skilled staff, the Dunlea Centre delivers a dynamic, creative, and structured program to support the needs of young people and their families.

The Dunlea Centre adheres to a trauma-informed program enables children and young people to learn new behaviours, by observing and imitating others, based on social learning theory that focuses on building strengths and problem-solving skills.

A Place for  Change …

Dunlea Centre has three residential houses for boys and one residential house for girls. They have capacity for up to 50 students, comprising mostly residential students, but also a small number of day-only students.

Young people remain in the program for an approximate period of 12-18 months, although some may stay longer. The program operates from 9am Monday morning until 12pm Friday each week of the school term. Young people in the residential program return to their family home for weekends and school holiday periods.

In recent years Dunlea Centre has moved from providing education for Years 7 to 10 students, to now also cater for Years 5 and 6 as well as Years 11 and 12 and the HSC (in 2023).

Further Information

Additional information can be viewed by visiting the Dunlea Centre website located at https://dunleacentre.org.au/

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Position Overview

Position Title: Executive Director

Reports to: The Board

Position Purpose

Reporting directly to the Board, the Executive Director will provide strategic leadership, organisational management, and direction towards achieving the Dunlea Centre’s vision: “to aspire to be a welcoming community where lives are changed, and right relationships are restored.”

The Executive Director will oversee several programs, including the Therapeutic Residential Education Program, the Seniors Program, The Way Forward (a structured aftercare service), the Primary Program, and the Common Sense Parenting Program.

At a later stage in this project, you will be provided with the position description; strategic plan; and an annual report. You will also be briefed on the success criteria for the first 12 months in the role.

Key Relationships

The Executive Director reports to the Salesian Provincial through the Board of the Dunlea Centre.

The Executive Director is assisted by a leadership team comprising an Educational Services Manager, a Residential Services Manager, a Clinical Services Manager, a Youth & Family Program Manager and a Business Manager. The Centre has a team of approximately 50 full and/or part-time staff

The Executive Director is not an ex-officio member of the Board but attends Board meetings. The Executive Director reports regularly to the Board, including preparing and submitting regular and annual reports and financial statements, in conjunction with the Business Manager.

Key relationships also exist with Government funding providers, education authorities, welfare agencies, and supporters/sponsors of the Dunlea Centre.

At a later stage in this project, you will be provided with the existing organisation chart; and a document showing connections to other agencies.

Commencement

The start date is negotiable, although it is anticipated to be by Term 4/October this year.

Location

The Dunlea Centre is located on the corner of Waratah and Woronora Roads, Engadine, which is in Sydney’s southern suburbs.

Conditions of Employment

• A competitive salary will be negotiated with the successful applicant. This comprises salary, a motor vehicle allowance (currently of $15,000) and superannuation.
• As a Public Benevolent Institution (PBI), there are salary packaging benefits available.
• There is 6 weeks of annual leave, normally taken during school term breaks; although one week must be taken over the Christmas/New Year period.
• Work hours as necessary to carry out the responsibilities of this executive position, which can involve time ‘out of hours’.
• The initial contract period is five years. The standard 6-month probation period applies.
• The Executive Director sets annual goals with the Chair and performance is reviewed annually. A comprehensive review will be conducted during the fourth year of the contract.
• Applicants will require a current Drivers Licence.
• Prior to appointment the successful applicant will possess a current, approved Working With Children Check and complete a successful National Criminal History Check.

Selection Criteria

The Board invites expressions of interest from people who align with the following:

• The capacity, desire and preparedness to commit to work within the ethos of the Dunlea Centre, the spirituality of the Salesians of Don Bosco and the principles of Catholic Social Teaching.
• Senior level experience in a values-based organisation. This will be evidenced by:
  • Visionary leadership, strategic planning and follow through to implementation.
  • Having led and developed a cohesive, multi-disciplinary team.
  • Stakeholder and community engagement strategies.
  • Ability to engage with the Board to ensure good governance and that risk is managed.
• A relational, visible, and inclusive leadership style with the capacity to build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including staff, young people and their families, and relevant government agencies.
• Relevant tertiary qualifications, such as in Education or Psychology.

While open to all backgrounds, it is most likely the ideal applicant will have leadership experience in either the Education or Welfare sectors and able to display a genuine interest in supporting and educating adolescents with difficulties and at risk.

Are You Interested?

If you are interested in this role, please use the ‘Express Your Interest’ panel on this webpage; or email jobs@traksearch.com quoting ref number TS1547. All we require at the outset is a resume, email address and mobile telephone number. No other documentation is required from you to express your interest.

All emails and resumes are acknowledged within 48 hours. Please contact us again if this does not occur.

Questions can be directed to John Chesher (0417 068 220) or by email to jobs@traksearch.com

If you are NOT interested in this role but would like to be advised of future leadership positions, click here to register for our weekly email alerts.

The Selection Process

The timeline for this project is as follows:

We have been instructed to provide a process that is transparent and welcoming.

• We are available for your confidential enquiries. We will also provide additional information to allow you to explore how the role aligns with your expectations and interests.
• Closing is 5.00pm on the date shown above. However, a late application could be accepted, providing it does not adversely impact other applications or the Dunlea schedule.
• We expect to complete a work-related reference prior to shortlisting. We anticipate speaking with another work-related referee between shortlisting and interviews; with final references completed in the final stages of the process. No referee will be contacted without your express consent.
• The selection committee will provide an option of an online interview in circumstances where a person is unable to visit for a face-to-face meeting.
• Please be aware our standard practice utilises the services of an external specialist in pre-employment screening. This service includes employment history verification; National Police Check; and academic qualifications and professional memberships verification.
• Prior to the shortlisting process, information provided to Trak Search will be made available, in confidence, to the Dunlea Chair, or his nominee, unless you instruct otherwise.
• For more information on our process click here to access the ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.
• Only people with the unrestricted right to work in Australia may apply for this role.
• People are contacted and discussions commence soon after applications are received. We do not wait until the close date. There are advantages in applying immediately.

Trak Search strongly supports the principles of equal employment opportunities in the workplace. We support our clients in recruiting a diverse range of people and a diverse range of talents.

 Trak Search is committed to working with client organisations in the safeguarding of children and young people. Applicants should be aware that in addition to the Working with Children and National Police History Checks required by our client, Trak Search screening processes, interview questions and reference checking will also reflect this commitment.

You are also encouraged to view our Collection Statement which provides details on the manner in which we collect and use information obtained from you during your engagement with Trak Search.