Program Manager Professional Learning and Consultancy

The organisation
CELA is the peak body for Australia's early childhood education sector, supporting more than 1,800 member organisations employing over 27,000 educators nationally. As a member based not for profit, CELA provides advocacy, expert advice, resources, consultancy, training and events to strengthen community managed, government and small provider early childhood education and care services.
Based in Sydney CBD, CELA is committed to strengthening workforce capability, supporting quality practice and influencing positive outcomes for children, families and communities through collaboration, innovation and sector leadership.
 
The opportunity
Reporting to the CEO, the Program Manager, Professional Learning and Consultancy will lead an experienced team responsible for a large and dynamic portfolio of learning programs and consultancy services delivered across Australia.
This is a significant people and operational leadership role. The successful candidate will take the time to understand CELA’s members, team and existing ways of working before identifying opportunities for improvement. They will bring clarity to complexity, translate strategy into coordinated delivery and establish the systems, priorities and accountability required to support consistent performance.
In this role you will:

• Lead, support and develop an experienced team, creating clarity around priorities, responsibilities and expectations.
• Build a collaborative and accountable team culture in which specialists are empowered to contribute their expertise.
• Translate strategic objectives into practical plans, operating rhythms and measurable outcomes.
• Strengthen systems, workflows, governance and resource allocation across a complex portfolio of concurrent programs.
• Oversee the design, delivery and evaluation of professional learning and consultancy services that respond to member and sector needs.
• Balance quality, sector impact and commercial sustainability when making portfolio and resource decisions.
• Use evidence, feedback and stakeholder insights to evaluate existing approaches and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Build trusted relationships with members, partners and sector stakeholders while representing CELA as a leader in professional learning and workforce capability.
• Work closely with the CEO and broader leadership team, contributing sound judgement, thoughtful challenge and practical solutions.

This opportunity will suit a thoughtful and adaptable leader who asks good questions, listens carefully and develops a strong understanding of the environment before acting. You will be equally comfortable engaging externally with members and partners and working internally to improve people, systems and delivery.

 
About you

You will bring:

• Demonstrated experience leading professional learning, education, capability, consultancy or advisory teams.
• Strong people leadership experience, including developing capability, setting expectations and addressing performance or accountability issues constructively.
• Experience managing a substantial portfolio of concurrent programs, projects, products or client engagements.
• Evidence of translating strategy into practical delivery through effective planning, governance, systems and workflows.
• A curious and analytical approach, with the ability to diagnose issues, test assumptions and make well considered decisions.
• The interpersonal awareness to adapt your leadership style while maintaining clarity, momentum and accountability.
• Strong commercial judgement and an understanding of how quality, impact, capacity and financial sustainability intersect.
• Highly developed communication, consultation and stakeholder engagement skills.
• The ability to work effectively in a lean, purpose driven organisation where leaders remain close to delivery.

Experience within early childhood education, education, a membership organisation or the broader social purpose sector will be highly regarded. 

 
What’s on Offer

• Lead professional learning across Australia's leading ECEC peak body.
• Influence workforce capability and quality outcomes across the sector.
• Join a purpose driven organisation with a strong values-based culture.
• Opportunity to shape strategy while leading a capable and committed team.
• Hybrid working environment based in Sydney CBD.

 
How to Apply
For a confidential discussion or role related questions, please contact Lincoln Gould of The Orchard Talent Group on 02 9157 6231 or email lincoln@orchardtalent.com.au.
 
To apply, please submit your current CV via the link. Please note applicants must have a legal right to work in Australia.
 
Applications will be assessed on an as come basis


The Orchard Talent Group acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we work. We pay our respect to their Elders past, present and emerging, for they hold the memories, traditions, culture and hopes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.