National Manager: Good Grief, North Sydney

•  Education based Program Provision

• Based in North Sydney

This is a role with significant diversity and described by the current manager as a position “where I found significant opportunities and experiences hidden in the role“.  Educational leaders with a broader base of interests, skills and experiences are encouraged to explore this position.

An Introduction to Good Grief

Good Grief is a not-for-profit company, developing non-religious programs to support people in their grief. It had its origins 20 years ago when the Sisters of St Joseph began offering the Seasons for Growth program to school children suffering grief and loss.

Long before that, in the mid nineteenth century, their Founder Mary MacKillop heard the cry of the children of the colonies, a cry for education and for care. Mary responded to that cry as did her Sisters for more than a century in whatever way they could. The program Seasons for Growth was yet another response to the cry of children.

Over the past twenty years with the commitment of dedicated staff, a strong band of Companions and Trainers and generous donors the work has grown to include programs for young adults and for parents, programs designed for grief and loss encountered in family experience of fire, flood and earthquakes and a program for use in the Aboriginal community.

Operating today as Good Grief, with Seasons for Growth as its flagship program, the organisation operates with good governance and sound business practices. Good Grief continues to hear new cries of those experiencing grief and responds with the development of educational programs and processes informed by reliable research and based on evidence.

Good Grief offers an educative rather than counselling approach to the experience of grief and loss.

Such education, through programs for children, young people and adults challenged by grief and loss, contributes to the building of resilience and fostering of wellbeing. Over 200,000 children and young people have benefited from Seasons for Growth in the past 20 years.

Good Grief remembers the compassionate care of Mary MacKillop for those in need all those years ago and continues to reach out in compassionate care.

Our Guiding Principles

Our VISION is to be a renowned authority on educating for Grief & Loss.

Our MISSION: To provide programs that support people in their grief.

In carrying out our mission, Good Grief Values

The innate dignity of every human being

The value of each person’s unique experience

The importance of building networks of support

The strength of psychology and education working together

Our INSPIRATION is founded in Mary MacKillop’s example of providing compassionate
care for those in need

The Good Grief Way

• Has conversation at the heart of the process
• Depends on Companions working with and walking alongside those in grief
• Is person centred learning which is respectful, empathetic and genuine
• Ensures a safe environment for all who participate

Our Beliefs

Shaped over 20 years of sharing the Grief journey:

• Grief is a natural response to loss
• The grief experience of each person is unique
• People are changed by their experience of grief
• Support networks can help many people attend to their grief
• Learning how others experience grief can help in understanding one’s own grief

Our Plan: 2016 – 2019

Good Grief’s educational programs and processes have the capacity to be embraced by any and all as they experience grief, regardless of age, culture and circumstance.

To facilitate continued delivery of our mission and to ensure future sustainability, a number of fundamental strategic outcomes have been identified and are supported by a framework of ‘Strategic Intention’.

This work has developed following six months of collaboration between the Staff, the wider Team and Board. A comprehensive program of market research, business planning and review supports the direction.

Good Grief is committed to those in grief and the community who support them. Continuous and ongoing research and development ensure program efficacy, relevance and our achievement of the Vision and Mission.

Good Grief’s strategic intention is to:

• Design evidence based programs and activities that effectively meet people’s needs.
• Ensure our programs and activities satisfy need – knowing, understanding and responding to the person
• Build networks and alliances to successfully deliver our programs when and where they are needed
• Invest in and foster a robust market presence
• Create flexible infrastructure that facilitates connection and communication
• Resource the ministry financially to ensure long term sustainability

Current Good Grief Programs

Seasons for Growth – Young People’s Program

• For children and young people dealing with significant loss and change
• Strengthens social and emotional wellbeing.

Seasons for Growth – Adult Program

• A seminar and small group program
• Innovative loss and grief education
• Flexible delivery in a variety of settings, community, in workplaces and prisons

Seasons for Growth – Parent Program

• For parents supporting children after significant loss and change

Seasons for Healing  – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Adults

• A culturally sensitive program designed for the indigenous community, dealing with issues of loss and grief

Stormbirds – Childrens Program

• Run in communities impacted by a significant natural disaster

Further Information

Further information is available by visiting the following websites:

• Good Grief at https://www.goodgrief.org.au
• Sisters of St Joseph at http://www.sosj.org.au

Position Overview

Position Title:    National Manager
Reports to:          Currently to the Good Grief Board

Position Purpose

The National Manager will:

• Provide effective leadership and management of Good Grief.
• Ensure a consistent and centrally coordinated approach to communication and informed decision-making.
• Prepare routine and specific reports, briefing papers, submissions, corporate reports and other documents for internal/external stakeholders and agencies.

Key Responsibilities

Areas of responsibility include:

• Program and Research Oversight
• Strategic Management and Culture
• People and Performance Management
• Financial Management and Sustainability
• Governance and Regulatory Compliance
• Managing Fundraising, Marketing and Communications

A detailed position description will be provided later in the process.

Initial Priorities and Challenges

While Good Grief will continue its current purpose and operations, negotiations are underway for it to become part of the larger organisation, MacKillop Family Services. Hence the National Manager will need to:

• Support and lead in the transition of Good Grief into the larger organisation of MacKillop Family Services while ensuring Good Grief’s momentum is not impacted, including the imminent launch of two new programs.
• This will require change for operational aspects of Good Grief, therefore the National Manager is expected to effectively drive and assist this transition in a setting that will evolve
• Develop strong relationships with stakeholders, internal and external, to build solid working relationships and partnerships.
• Develop and maintain a successful working environment that supports Good Grief in meeting their goals in business direction, governance, employee and client satisfaction.

Reason for Vacancy

The retirement of Mr Kerry Stirling, who joined Good Grief in 2009.

Commencement

Kerry retires at Easter 2017 and so, ideally, the new person would commence prior to that time to allow for an effective handover.

Location and Travel

The Good Grief offices are located on Level 3, 12 Mount Street, North Sydney.
Interstate travel is to be expected and, while not able to be quantified, would currently involve 15 to 20 trips per year, each of one to three days. This travel requirement could change once Good Grief becomes part of the larger organisation.

Conditions Of Employment

• The salary range for this senior appointment will be discussed as we step through the process and will be negotiated with the successful applicant.
• Contract term is for 3-years
• Applicants will require a current “C” Class Drivers Licence to fulfil the requirements of the role.

Selection Criteria

We invite expressions of interest from people who align with the following:

• An ability to ‘fit’ within the values and mission of Sisters of St Joseph
• An interest in and sensitivity to the nature of the Good Grief work of providing programs which deal with change, loss and grief
• Leadership experience within Education, including leading, managing & developing a team; strategic thinking and planning; and operational implementation
• Personal attributes of flexibility and initiative combined with a preparedness to ‘pitch-in’ as part of a small team
• Relevant tertiary qualifications and a track record of ongoing personal and professional learning

This is a role with significant diversity and described by the current manager as a position “where I found significant opportunities and experiences hidden in the role”.

Educational leaders with a broader base of interests, skills and experiences are encouraged to explore this position.

Are You Interested in this Opportunity?

If you are interested in this role, there are two options for you to proceed:

1. If interested, but have questions requiring a response before deciding whether to progress, then either (a) telephone our Director John Chesher (0417 068 220) or (b) email our office via jobs@traksearch.com with your questions.
2. If and when you have enough information to start this process, then simply complete the ‘Expression of Interest’ on this page; or email us at jobs@traksearch.com stating your interest in this role and nominating ref number TS1348; also providing a brief resume and contact telephone number.

At this stage we do NOT ask you to labour over selection criteria or any application document – just complete the ‘Expression of Interest’ on this page or send a one-line email to Trak Search to indicate your interest in ‘National Manager, TS1348’ and providing your brief resume and contact telephone number. 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 or lengthy, comprehensive document to address the selection criteria; or provide any 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 (refer above) we will seek written consent to speak with referees – listing referees on your resume does not signify consent.
• We expect to contact one work related referee prior to short listing, with additional references completed later in the process.  You should always expect that prior to 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 time period.
• All information provided to Trak Search will be made available prior to short listing, in confidence, to the Chair of Good Grief or 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.