Manager – Youth and Homelessness Services

Manager – Youth and Homelessness Services

Anchor | Lilydale | Full-time (1.0 FTE)

Salary: $150,000 plus superannuation

Applications close Midday on Friday 18 September 2026.

Lead meaningful change for young people and people experiencing homelessness.

Are you an experienced homelessness sector leader looking for an opportunity to influence services, build strong partnerships and drive meaningful outcomes for people experiencing homelessness?

Anchor is seeking an experienced and passionate Manager – Youth and Homelessness Services to lead our diverse Youth and Homelessness portfolio and contribute to the future direction of our organisation.

Reporting to the CEO and working as part of Anchor’s senior management group, you will provide strategic and operational leadership across a range of services supporting people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. You will also play an important role in developing innovative responses that create pathways from homelessness to safety, stability and independence.

About the role

The Youth and Homelessness portfolio includes:

• Opening Doors Crisis Service.
• Transitional Support Services and Case Management.
• Youth Development Services, including an accredited Youth Foyer.
• Services supporting young people at risk of homelessness.
• Programs that assist young people to establish and sustain private rental tenancies.

You will lead a team of Team Leaders, fostering a culture of high engagement, evidence-based practice, innovation and continuous improvement. You will ensure services are responsive to client needs, informed by feedback and delivered to a high standard of quality, compliance and accountability.

This is also a highly strategic and externally focused role. You will represent Anchor across government, community and sector networks, build strong partnerships and identify opportunities for service development, expansion and innovation. Working closely with our Business Development Team, you will contribute to the development of new programs and pursue government and philanthropic funding opportunities.

You will work closely with the CEO and broader leadership team to contribute to organisational strategy, service planning and decision-making, with a particular focus on early intervention and innovative responses to youth homelessness and housing insecurity.

About you

You are an experienced leader who understands the complexity of the Specialist Homelessness Sector and is passionate about improving outcomes for people experiencing disadvantage.

You will bring:

• At least five years’ relevant leadership experience within the Specialist Homelessness Sector.
• Strong strategic thinking and the ability to identify opportunities for growth, innovation and service development.
• Experience developing and maintaining effective partnerships with government, community organisations, sector partners, peak bodies and people with lived experience.
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams and build a culture of engagement, accountability, learning and continuous improvement.
• Experience managing program budgets and working within complex funding environments.
• Strong understanding of quality, compliance, risk and service accreditation requirements.
• Excellent communication, negotiation and influencing skills.
• A genuine commitment to working collaboratively and achieving positive outcomes for clients.

A tertiary qualification in community services, leadership, education or a related discipline is preferred.

Why join Anchor?

Anchor has a long history of supporting children, young people and individuals and families experiencing housing stress or homelessness. Our practice is trauma-informed and underpinned by Advantaged Thinking, which focuses on lifting aspiration for and of people experiencing disadvantage.

At Anchor, you will have the opportunity to:

• Lead an impactful portfolio of services and teams of committed professionals.
• Influence the future direction of homelessness and youth services
• Work alongside a committed and experienced leadership team
• Develop innovative programs and partnerships
• Advocate for improved outcomes across the sector
• Contribute to Anchor’s broader strategy, growth and organisational development.
• Access to salary packaging benefits to increase your take-home pay.
• Regular supervision, reflective practice and professional development opportunities.
• Flexible work environment and family-friendly policies.

Essential Requirements

• Relevant tertiary qualification or equivalent experience.
• Current Victorian Drivers Licence.
• Current Working with Children Check (employee).
• National Criminal History Check.

Ready to make a difference?

If you are an experienced homelessness leader who is ready to bring your strategic thinking, sector expertise and passion for social impact to a senior leadership role, we would love to hear from you.

Please review the full Position Description and apply via our website with cover letter and CV, telling us why this role is the right fit for you at www.anchor.org.au. Applications will be reviewed as they’re received.

Applications close Midday on Friday 18 September 2026.

For a confidential conversation contact People and Culture via email at: employment@anchor.org.au

Anchor reserves the right to commence recruitment immediately. Only applicants with legal working rights in Australia will be considered.

Our Commitment to Safety, Inclusion and Diversity

Anchor is committed to the safety and wellbeing of children and young people and has zero tolerance for abuse, neglect or harm. We are committed to creating environments where children and young people are valued, empowered and safe.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to building an inclusive workplace and a diverse workforce.