Program Manager - Head Lease Program

About Us

The Salvation Army is a Christian movement and one of Australia's largest and most-loved charities, helping thousands of Australians every year find hope in the midst of all kinds of personal hardship. The Salvation Army offers the opportunity to use your professional skills and expertise to make a real difference in the lives of people who need help most.

About the Role

We are seeking a passionate and experienced Program Manager - Head Lease to lead the delivery and daily operations of our Head Lease Program, designed to create transformational housing outcomes for clients facing complex barriers.

The role is permanent, full time based in Blackburn.

The role is primarily Monday to Friday, however availability for occasional weekend work is required to support program operations or stakeholder commitments.

Reporting to the State Manager, you'll manage the end-to-end program lifecycle, ensuring tenancy and property management services are delivered with excellence, accountability, and client-centered care.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end program delivery, ensuring timely outcomes, effective tenancy and property management, and high-quality services aligned with client needs.
• Drive strategic planning, risk management, and continuous improvement, adapting the program in response to sector trends, client feedback, and quality frameworks.
• Oversee financial performance, including budget development, contract compliance, and financial risk mitigation to ensure program sustainability.
• Manage stakeholder relationships, including government funders, real estate agents, landlords, support agencies, and consortium partners, to enable positive housing outcomes.
• Provide leadership and guidance to the team, fostering a high-performing, client-focused culture with strong support for staff development and accountability.

About You

You are a seasoned property professional with strong expertise in tenancy and property management. Proactive and solutions-focused, you're a natural problem-solver and skilled negotiator, committed to achieving positive outcomes for clients and stakeholders. You bring strong interpersonal skills, cultural alignment, and the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced, client-centred environment.

Key capabilities

• Relevant industry experience in real estate, community housing will be highly regarded
• Proven experience in program or project management, ideally within housing, social services, or related sectors.
• Demonstrated ability to work with diverse stakeholders to deliver complex service models.
• Knowledge of tenancy management, property operations, or real estate partnerships is highly desirable.
• A deep understanding of trauma-informed practice and the barriers experienced by vulnerable populations.
• Certificate IV in Property Services (Real Estate - individual) - not essential but highly regarded.

Why work for us?

Join a purpose-driven organisation that is making a real difference in the lives of people facing housing insecurity and complex challenges. In return we also offer benefits such as;

• Eligible employees can access NFP salary packaging for living expenses ($15,900 tax free for rent, mortgage, school fees etc) plus meals and entertainment benefits ($2,650 tax free).
• Flexible work arrangements, with the understanding that occasional weekend work may be required.
• Pool car vehicle available.
• Paid parental leave - 12 weeks.
• Up to 8 weeks leave per year through our purchase leave scheme.
• Up to 5 days paid leave per year to 'volunteer' in a TSA program or activity.
• Health insurance, home energy and home office supplies discounts.
• Employee Assistance Program - Independent confidential counselling service.

How to Apply

We are looking for compassionate people who share our mission and values, if you have the passion and drive to commit yourself to a challenging and rewarding role; we invite you to apply via the link and submit a current CV and a cover letter which details your alignment with the essential requirements of the role.

The Salvation Army is an Equal Opportunity Employer who provides an inclusive work environment and embraces the diverse talent of its people. We value people of all cultures, languages, capacities, sexual orientations, gender identities and/or expressions. We are committed to achieving a diverse workforce and strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

The Salvation Army is a child safe organisation and is committed to protecting children and young people from harm. All child facing roles will require the successful completion of a Working with Children Check. Applicants for all roles require a mandatory National Police Check.

We value Integrity, Compassion, Respect, Diversity, and Collaboration.