About the Department

The Department of Communities works to improve the lives of people, children, families and communities across Western Australia.

Working in partnership with communities, government, the community services sector and Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations, we help keep children safe, strengthen families and address complex social challenges including homelessness and family, domestic and sexual violence.

We work alongside people with disability, their families and carers to support inclusion, independence and participation, helping create communities where everyone is welcomed, respected and empowered.

As Western Australia's lead agency for emergency relief and support, we play a critical role in supporting individuals, families, and communities before, during and after emergencies.

We also regulate early childhood education and care services, and lead evidence-informed policy that supports women, young people, seniors, carers, LGBTIQA+ people, and volunteers, helping create stronger communities.

It is a privilege to play a vital role in supporting Western Australians during some of life's most challenging moments - offering a safety net when it is needed most and helping people build stronger futures for themselves, their families and their communities.

We promote a diverse workforce and embrace a high standard of equal opportunity, health and safety, and ethical practice.

Join us and work in a role where you can make a real difference to the lives of people, children, families, and communities throughout Western Australia.

Communities is a nationally recognised Accredited Carer Friendly Employer through the Carers + Employers program. The program defines best practice standards by creating a carer friendly workplace, enabling staff to balance work and care, while continuing to contribute to the wellbeing of individuals, families and the community.

If you’re looking for more than just a job, then read on.

About the Division

The Commissioning and Contracting Division is responsible for the Department's commissioning activities and manages contracts, service agreements and grants, working in partnership with the Community Services sector, to deliver the Department's broad portfolio of services. This includes enabling commissioning and contracting across the Department’s portfolio areas including child protection and family support, disability, homelessness, prevention of family and domestic violence, community services, youth, volunteering, women, early childhood and seniors.

The Division is also responsible for the Department's goods and services and community services procurement activities.

Role Statement

The Executive Director Commissioning & Contracting will be responsible for the Procurement and Contracting of Human Services and Commercial Goods and Services across Communities. The aggregated spend of Communities across all Business areas is approximately $2 billion annually. The Executive Director will be responsible for leading and implementing robust Procurement and Contracting approaches which optimise value for money and deliver outcomes which align with Whole-of-Government and Departmental Policies and priorities.

As a member of the Communities Leadership Team, the position reports directly to the Director General and plays a key leadership role for the Department in supporting the Director General and other operational areas; setting the strategic business direction; and the achievement of corporate goals. The role operates with a high degree of autonomy.

The attached Job Description Form (JDF) provides more information about the position. For further information we encourage you to contact Therese Stralow, Managing Director at Price Consulting on 0472 827 847 or via email at therese@priceconsulting.com.au. 

What are we looking for?

To succeed in this role, you must be a strategic and forward-thinking executive leader with deep expertise in commissioning and contracting within a complex public sector environment. You must demonstrate a strong understanding of emerging policy, service delivery, and financial trends, and bring a proven ability to lead large-scale, organisation-wide outcomes. You must provide strong, values-driven leadership by driving a culture of cooperation and collaboration, and by building the capability and capacity of both staff and stakeholders. You must excel in driving innovation, managing risk, and delivering high-quality, sustainable results during periods of transformation and uncertainty, while fostering strong partnerships with stakeholders and service providers.

The Opportunity

This full time, fixed term Senior Executive Service (SES) appointment is for a period of up to 5 years and will be based at Communities’ offices in Walyalup Koort, Fremantle.

Walyalup Koort is a great location close to the Fremantle Markets, various new cafes and eateries (click here to find out more) and a car park, as well as walking distance to the Fremantle train station and Bathers Beach.

In return for your skills, passion, and commitment we will offer you a challenging job, a safe and healthy working environment, and a range of benefits (subject to eligibility) including:

• Flexible working arrangements (including flexible working hours, 9-day fortnight consideration, and work from work options)
• Access to motor vehicle benefits
• Additional 3 Days Public Service Leave per annum
• Eligibility to join the Fitness Passport program
• 3 months long service leave for every seven years consecutive service
• 18 weeks paid parental leave
• 10 days Disability Leave
• 5 days Reproductive Health Leave
• Discount on private health insurance
• Comprehensive learning and development opportunities that focus on your career aspirations
• Access to free and confidential Employee Assistance Programs for you and your family
• 5 days cultural and ceremonial leave for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees
• Working for a nationally recognised Accredited Carer Friendly Employer through the Carers + Employers program.

The successful applicant or applicants assessed as suitable through this process may receive further offers of contract employment that arise within the next 12 months across the Department of Communities.

Leadership Context

We believe all our people are leaders irrespective of their role. We consider this as critical to our success and, to support this, we have adopted Leadership Expectations which provides a common understanding of the expected behaviours and mindsets of our employees as outlined in Building Leadership Impact. The leadership context of this position is Executive Leader

Leadership in this context is about shaping complex initiatives covering multiple business areas as well as having a key responsibility in corporate governance.

Want to join us?

Apply online by clicking the ‘Apply for Job’ button (above or below) and provide the following documents in Word or PDF format only:

1. A current resume/CV.
2. A maximum three-page (3) written application addressing Essential Work-Related Requirements 1,3 and 4 in the context of being an Executive Leader (Selection Criteria) with particular focus on strategic leadership, solution focused forward thinking, driving a culture of cooperation and collaboration across internal and external stakeholders, and ability to advocate and negotiate persuasively. (This is available on the JDF)
3. A copy of all qualification/s (regardless of the relevance to the role) as specified in your application or resume/CV (if applicable).

For technical difficulties while applying online, general recruitment enquiries, or to request any document in an alternative format, please contact the SES Employment Team at SES.HR@communities.wa.gov.au.

We can also be contacted via the National Relay Service on the following numbers:

TTY/voice calls - 133 677

Speak & Listen - 1300 555 727

SMS relay - 0423 677 767

Integrity and Honesty

The public sector is built on a strong foundation of integrity where employees act ethically, and public sector bodies promote and maintain integrity. 

In line with Communities policies, applicants may be asked for consent to undergo criminal record screening and integrity checks during the application process. For more information on these requirements, click here.  

Equity and Diversity

The Department of Communities embraces diversity and firmly believes that the best services come from a workplace, where varied viewpoints are welcomed and encouraged every day. We are committed to creating an equitable and diverse workforce, where we encourage applications from people with disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people from culturally diverse backgrounds, people from the LGBTQIA+ community, women, and youth.

If you have any access needs that may require adjustments to allow you to fully participate in the application and interview process, or alternative methods of communication, please contact SES Employment Team at SES.HR@communities.wa.gov.au. Applicants who would like assistance with your application, please contact Jobs and Skills WA on 13 64 64.

Lodgement is system generated. Any emailed applications or late submissions on or after 4:00pm will not be accepted.