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.

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.

The Role

The Program Director is responsible for the replacement of the existing child protection case management system, a high value, priority project for the Department of Communities. This role leads a multi-disciplinary team of information technology and child protection specialists, leveraging business improvement and leading-edge technology to enhance service delivery efficiency and lead a program of technology-enabled business improvement that is designed to enhance client outcomes. The Director will provide strategic ICT leadership and oversight of project delivery to ensure that Program outcomes are met, leading the Program to ensure strong agency governance, reporting, stakeholder engagement and the program control environment (covering cost, schedule, quality, and risk management).

The attached Job Description Form (JDF) provides more information about the position. For further information we encourage you to contact Tina Wheatley, Director, Price Consulting on 0494 660 344.

You will need to embody our iCREATE Values and have genuine commitment to high levels of integrity, accountability, effective governance and transparency.

What are we looking for?

To succeed in this role, you will have a demonstrated track record of leading large-scale, politically sensitive transformation programs from strategic planning through to implementation, delivering measurable business benefits and organisational outcomes. Your experience may include the delivery of major ERP, case management, enterprise platform, or system replacement initiatives within government or other highly regulated environments, while effectively managing competing stakeholder priorities, complex risks, and significant budget constraints.

You will possess a strong understanding of system implementation lifecycles, including business process redesign, data migration, testing, organisational change management, and benefits realisation. You will be recognised for your ability to build executive sponsorship and maintain stakeholder confidence, while leading multidisciplinary teams to successfully deliver complex ICT-enabled transformation programs. Experience recovering or redirecting underperforming projects, establishing robust governance frameworks, and driving successful program outcomes in challenging environments will be highly regarded.

The Opportunity

Currently there is one (1) full-time, fixed-term appointment for a period of up to five years, until April 2031 with a possible extension, available for filling. The position 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.  

The successful applicant or applicants assessed as suitable through this process may receive further offers of contract employment in this or similar roles.

Attractive Benefits

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 Attractive 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.

All our people are leaders

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 Multiple Area Leader.

Leadership in this context is about leading teams to achieve the strategic direction of a number of different business areas and to implement the associated operational strategies.

Join the Department of Communities

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

1. A current resume/CV.
2. A three page summary outlining the key responsibilities and achievements you have had during your career in the context of the job description and Essential Work Related Requirements (Selection Criteria).

Applicants who are short listed will be assessed on all the Work Related Requirements (Selection Criteria) during the selection process.

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, 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 the team via email ses.hr@communities.wa.gov.au.

If you are an Aboriginal person who would like assistance with your application, please contact Jobs and Skills WA on 13 64 64.

We recognise that people with disability bring valuable talent, experience and insight to the workplace.  People with disability are an integral part of our diverse and inclusive team. As a measure to achieve equality, Section 66R of the Equal Opportunity Act 1984 (WA) will apply to this position. We encourage people with disability to apply.

Communities welcome applications from people from a diverse range of backgrounds and lived experiences, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, people with disability, people with diverse sexualities and genders, youth, women, and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

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