Director, Community Programs

About Community Programs

The Community Programs Division leads ACON’s community-level programming, bringing together various teams focused on inclusive, health-promoting, and culturally responsive initiatives. The Division plays a central role in engaging communities and delivering programs that support the health and wellbeing of LGBTQ+ people.

Community Programs works in partnership with all ACON Divisions, particularly Peer and Client Services and Population Health. The Director serves as the organisational lead for community development and local health promotion practice and coordinates ACON’s offerings across Sydney and regional NSW.

Key activities within the Division include:

• Providing leadership in NSW’s HIV and sexual health response, including peer education and community engagement, particularly for gay and bisexual men.
• Implementing programs to improve safety for LGBTQ+ people.
• Conducting community development work focused on culturally and linguistically diverse communities, particularly in Western Sydney.
• Development and delivery of a range of health promotion programs and initiatives for LGBTQA+SB Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Peoples.
• Delivering support and social connection programs for older LGBTQ+ people, including the Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme.
• Facilitating leadership programs for LGBTQ+ people with disability.
• Operating Needle and Syringe Programs.
• Distributing information across community groups, venues, and services.

Who are we looking for?

We are seeking a mission-driven, values-aligned, strategic leader. You will bring deep experience in community development, health promotion, and stakeholder engagement, with a passion for improving the health and wellbeing of LGBTQ+ communities across NSW. You will have experience in leading and mentoring teams and a track record in delivering inclusive, place-based programs that foster connection, build health knowledge, and promote safety.

You will bring ways to understand and respond to the specific and intersectional experience of people within ACON’s identified communities including people living with HIV, rural communities, culturally diverse communities, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, older LGBTQ+ people, and people with disability.

If you are a community-focused, compassionate and collaborative leader with a strong track record in leading community programs, community engagement and team development, we’d love to hear from you.

What else can we tell you?

ACON provides a colourful, nurturing, and fun workplace. Our employees and volunteers are the foundation for our ongoing effectiveness and for our capacity to deliver innovative community engagement and health promotion programs and initiatives for our communities.

To support the successful candidate in their new role at ACON we offer:

• Flexible working arrangements.
• Generous learning and development opportunities.
• Potential for tailored mentoring opportunities.
• Supportive working environment with a knowledgeable and friendly team.

What’s the remuneration and working details? 

Salary:           Commensurate with skills, qualifications, and experience.

Location:      We are open to candidates within commuting distance of any ACON office, with flexible working options available. ACON offices are:

• Gadigal / Sydney
• Awabakal / Hunter
• Bundjalung / Lismore

Hours:           Permanent, Full time, (76 hours per fortnight), on an initial 2-year fixed term.

We offer flexible working arrangements and a generous array of benefits and entitlements often above the National Employment Standards (NES) including:

• Salary Packaging up to $35,000 gross up value (i.e., currently up to $15,900 Expenses + $2,650 Meals, tax free).
• Generous pro-rata leave entitlements – including up to an extra week of paid leave for full time employees to be taken during our Christmas and New Year’s shutdown period.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – access to a comprehensive counselling service free to employees.
• Access to discounted unique accommodation experiences to improve employee health and wellbeing.