Director of Housing – Women’s Community Shelter

Newly created opportunity for a senior professional with extensive expertise within the housing and homelessness sector to lead the growth and development of innovative housing solutions that support women and children experiencing domestic and family violence.

• Full time, permanent leadership role, with a hybrid work environment and Sydney CBD office location
• Join a passionate and highly collaborative senior leadership team who embody their values of respect, kindness, excellence, courage and hope.

The impact of the organisation

Women’s Community Shelter (WCS) is a pioneering organisation dedicated to providing safe and supportive housing solutions for women and their children facing homelessness and domestic violence. With a commitment to fostering empowerment and independence, WCS operates across multiple locations, delivering vital services to those in need.

Impact you will have in this role

As the Director of Housing, you will play a pivotal role in the strategic growth and development of WCS’s housing initiatives. Reporting to the CEO and COO, you will lead the Housing and Growth Team, overseeing various functions within the WCS Hub and Shelter Network.
Your primary focus will be on expanding WCS’s service footprint through service model development, tender writing and strategic partnerships.

We are searching for a senior professional with expertise and a deep understanding of the housing and homelessness sector. This person will embody innovation and agility, demonstrate adaptability, and engage with expertise and enthusiasm to cultivate relationships and lead an evolving strategy that directly impacts the lives of women and children.

Key Responsibilities of the Director of Housing role:

• Drive the WCS Housing Strategy by leading new shelter establishment projects and developing and implementing growth plans to support Shelter Boards and the overall housing business.
• Significantly contribute to strategic planning within the organisation, leading the establishment of new core initiatives, while developing service innovation and partnership development within homelessness and community housing.
• Develop and implement operational systems, processes and policies aligned with legislation and standards within social and community housing.
• Drive strategic external partnerships and collaborative relationships across government, corporate, community, housing and homelessness networks;
• Representing WCS through participation in sector networks, community engagement, advocacy and media.
• Oversee the Community Housing Innovation Fund and Meanwhile Use Projects.
• In collaboration with the COO, provide input into the management of financial resources including developing annual program budgets, monitoring income and expenditure, and program reporting.
• Lead a small team, providing support through dynamic coaching and structured supervision, inspiring innovative approaches to collaboration and problem-solving.
• Driving a culture of performance excellence and commitment to quality service outcomes

To have success in this role

You will be an agile, confident, and trusted leader who can quickly grasp detailed information with enthusiasm. You will demonstrate courage and enthusiasm in pursuing growth opportunities and possess a strong growth mindset. You will also have …

• Expertise and a deep understanding of the housing and homelessness sector with a proven track record as a senior trusted advisor within this field, along with comprehensive knowledge of industry legislation, policies, and procedures
• Proven success leading and informing an evolving housing strategy, with the ability to provide strategic advice that achieves sustainable outcomes, with a strong ability to influence, negotiate, and collaborate
• Experience managing government relations pertaining to housing and homelessness, with the ability to engage with key stakeholders and stay up to date on upcoming and developing opportunities for growth and change
• A compelling media presence coupled with outstanding communication skills and the capacity to engage and inform diverse audiences effectively at a senior level
• Proven success leading tender response and project managing multiple significant funding opportunities within time constraints
• Exceptional relationship management skills with the ability to partner with key stakeholders in the sector that may include, government officials, media, funders, boards and shelters
• Leadership experience, with proven success in inspiring and developing a team
• Strong financial management skills, including budget development and monitoring, with the ability to make data-driven decisions
• Respect for cultural and social diversity
• Current unrestricted Australian driver’s license

Application Process:

If you are passionate about making a difference in the lives of women and their children and possess the proven success and knowledge outlined above, we encourage you to apply by uploading your resume and cover letter detailing your suitability and interest in the position.

If you have any questions or would like to have a confidential discussion about the role please contact Chloe Barton at [email protected] using the subject line: Director of Housing – Women’s Community Shelter enquiry via EthicalJobs or 0426 161 985.

Impact Advising is committed to creating diverse and inclusive work environments that reflect the rich tapestry of our communities. We believe that diversity enriches organisations and fosters innovation. We are dedicated to building workforces that are representative of the diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives of our society. We embrace diversity in all its forms, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, gender, age, sexual orientation, religion, disability, and cultural background. We actively seek to foster inclusive workplaces where all employees can bring their whole selves to work, feel respected and valued, and have equal opportunities for growth and advancement. We are committed to providing a fair and unbiased recruitment process, and we strive to eliminate any barriers that may impede the inclusion and participation of underrepresented groups in workforces.