Executive Director – Centacare North Queensland

The Catholic Diocese of Townsville covers more than 435,000 km2 across North and North West Queensland. It spans an area from Proserpine in the south through to Ingham in the north and extends west to the Northern Territory border. The Diocese includes the major commercial centres of Townsville and Mount Isa and many rural and remote communities including Palm Island.

The Diocese is led by the Bishop of Townsville, Most Reverend Timothy Harris DD.

Centacare began operation in Townsville in 1979, then known as the Catholic Family Welfare Bureau. The name changed to Centacare Townsville in 1990 to align with other centres across Australia. In 2015 Centacare changed its name to Centacare North Queensland.

Currently, Centacare in the Diocese of Townsville has about 160 staff. They have six offices in Bowen, Burdekin, Cloncurry, Mt Isa, Normanton and Townsville. Centacare staff also provide services in Richmond, Julia Creek, Palm Island, Collinsville, Charters Towers, Ingham and Ayr.

With income of nearly $16m in 2017/18 (predominantly State and Commonwealth Grants) the range of Centacare NQ’s services includes:

• Aged Care – transport and domestic services
• Occupational therapy for children
• Counselling
• Family Support Services
• Disability Services
• Education and Professional Development
• Housing and Homelessness
• Youth Support Services

Living in Townsville

Providing a laid back tropical lifestyle that is complemented by capital city comforts, no other Australian city boasts the resilience, diversity, lifestyle and economic potential that the Townsville North Queensland Region enjoys.

Known as the Second Capital of Queensland, Townsville has a population of approximately 190,000. Townsville offers a wonderful lifestyle coupled with strong economic prosperity. Townsville is a thriving precinct with access to a variety of world class education facilities, leading edge health care, affordable housing, spectacular events and entertainment, dining precincts and a wide range of outdoor recreation options.

Further Information

Additional information, including the Centacare, mission, values and range of services, can be viewed on their website located at: https://www.centacarenq.org.au/

Position Overview

Position Title:  Executive Director

Reports to:        The Bishop of Townsville

Primary Responsibility

The Executive Director leads and manages Centacare North Queensland in a manner consistent with the Mission for Centacare identified by the Catholic Diocese of Townsville.  This is an executive leadership position within the Catholic Diocese of Townsville and in the community services sector of North Queensland.

This is a contract position with the Roman Catholic Trust Corporation for the Diocese of Townsville.

A detailed position description will be provided at a later stage in this project.

Organisational Relationships

The role reports to the Bishop of Townsville who is assisted by an Advisory Board.

The Senior Leadership Team comprises the Executive Director and three direct reports:

• Director – Strategy & Partnerships
• Director – Rural & Remote
• Director – Governance & Risk.

In addition, other leadership roles reporting to the Executive Director include:

• Administration Manager
• Finance Manager
• HR Manager
• Data Systems Manager

Reason for Vacancy

After more than 4½ years in the role, family reasons have prompted the current Executive Director to relocate to Sydney, to a similar role in another Catholic agency.

Commencement

While the start date is negotiable, the current Executive Director will finish at the end of January. It is anticipated the new appointee would be able to commence in March/April.

Location and Travel

This position is based in Townsville at 410 Ross River Rd, Cranbrook. Given the spread of Centacare services across a wide geographic area, regular travel within the Diocese should be expected.

 Conditions of Employment

• The remuneration package will be negotiated with the successful applicant, but will be in alignment with the QLD Bishops’ Provincial Finance Council Remuneration Pay Scales
• 5 weeks of annual leave
• Appointment: a five year contract with annual review.
• As a full time executive position, this position involves extended hours, evening meetings, with overnight absences and considerable travel.
• Relocation assistance will be provided, if required.
• A Blue Card or eligibility for suitability of a ‘Positive Notice Blue Card for Child Related Employment’ issued by the Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian. Please visit bluecard.qld.gov.au to obtain further information on this requirement.
• Satisfactory National Police Certificate.
• A current Drivers Licence.

Selection Criteria

The Bishop of Townsville invites expressions of interest from people who align with the following criteria:

• A personal commitment to the Catholic faith and a capacity to work enthusiastically within the ethos, philosophy and the structure of the Diocese;
• Senior leadership experience in a sizable organization;
• A genuine interest and deep knowledge of community services to enhance the wellbeing of individuals and families;
• Highly developed interpersonal, presentation and relational skills combined with the desire and capacity to actively engage with the wider community;
• Ability to adapt, learn & grow in a complex and everchanging environment;
• A track record of ongoing personal and professional learning.

Are You Interested in this Opportunity?

If you are interested in this role, then simply complete the ‘Express Your Interest’ panel on this page; or email us at jobs@traksearch.com stating your interest and nominating ref number TS1399. Whichever you choose, please provide a brief resume and contact telephone number.

At this stage we do NOT ask you to address the selection criteria or provide an application document – just complete the panel on this page or send a brief email to Trak Search to indicate your interest in ‘Centacare Executive Director TS1399’; and providing your brief resume and contact telephone number.

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 job alert.

Any questions can be directed to either (a) our Director John Chesher by telephone (0417 068 220) or (b) email our office via jobs@traksearch.com. The timeline and details for this project are outlined below. All emails and applications are acknowledged within 48 hours.

The Selection Process

Key dates are as follows:

Trak Search has been instructed to provide a process that is welcoming for people interested in this role. Significant aspects include:

• Throughout the process, Trak Search is available for confidential discussions and to provide information to allow you to explore this opportunity and determine your interest in the role.
• A range of additional information will be provided to you as we progress through this process.
• At the outset you will not be required to: complete an application form; provide a lengthy document to address the selection criteria; or supply referee details. However, you will be invited to supply us with additional information (verbally and in writing) as you progress through the process.
• A late application could be accepted, providing it does not adversely impact other applications or the schedule. Please be aware however that any application received after close of business on the date noted above is more likely to be returned to you.
• At the appropriate time we will seek written consent to speak with referees – listing referees on your resume does not signify consent to do so.
• We expect to complete one work-related reference and a faith-based reference with a Catholic priest prior to shortlisting, with additional references completed later in the process.  You should always expect that before reaching the final stage of the project, we will ask to speak with at least one person who has: directly managed you; recently; and for a significant period of time.
• All information provided to Trak Search will be made available prior to shortlisting, in confidence, to the Bishop or his nominee unless you instruct Trak Search otherwise.

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.