Program Director, Positive Partnerships

Company Description

Aspect (Autism Spectrum Australia) is one of Australia’s largest autism-specific service providers, with one of the biggest autism-specific school programs in the world. A not-for-profit organisation, we work in partnership with people of all ages on the autism spectrum, and their families to deliver evidence-informed solutions that are person-centred, family-focused and customer driven.

At Aspect we recognise a different brilliant®, where we seek to understand, engage and celebrate the strengths, interests and aspirations of people on the autism spectrum.

Positive Partnerships is a national project funded by the Australian Government Department of Education. We’re delivered by Aspect. We work in partnership with families, educators and communities to strengthen positive outcomes for autistic young people. We create connections and opportunities for an inclusive culture where autistic students belong and thrive. 

Job Description

The Program Director, Positive Partnerships provides strategic leadership and holds overall accountability for the successful delivery of Positive Partnerships across the 2026–2029 contract period. 

The role leads the national program, maintains the strategic relationship with the Australian Government Department of Education and ensures all contractual, financial, quality and reporting obligations are met. Working closely with Aspect's People and Culture, Finance, Marketing and Communications, and IT teams, the Program Director will ensure the program remains evidence-informed, responsive to the needs of families, educators and communities, and informed by Autistic perspectives and lived experience.

Key responsibilities include:

• Provide strategic leadership and direction for Positive Partnerships, ensuring delivery of contractual commitments, organisational priorities and measurable outcomes.
• Lead and develop a high-performing national team, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, inclusion and continuous improvement.
• Act as Aspect’s senior relationship lead with the Australian Government Department of Education, maintaining strong partnerships and ensuring successful contract delivery.
• Oversee program governance, financial performance, workforce planning and resource allocation to achieve agreed objectives and maximise program impact.
• Identify and manage strategic, operational, financial and reputational risks, ensuring compliance with contractual, legislative and organisational requirements.
• Build and strengthen relationships across government, education, community and sector stakeholders to enhance engagement, influence and long-term sustainability.
• Drive program quality, evaluation and innovation with evidence, data, Autistic perspectives and lived experience to inform decision-making and continuous improvement.

This is a full-time, maximum-term contract opportunity through to September 2029, with commencement as soon as possible. The successful candidate will be supported through a planned transition, with the current Program Director available to provide handover, mentoring and program continuity through to March 2027.

This role may be based anywhere in Australia; however, the successful candidate must be located within reasonable proximity to a major metropolitan centre to support regular travel and stakeholder engagement.

Competitive remuneration package will be discussed with shortlisted candidates.

Click here to view the full position profile.

Qualifications

You’ll bring:

• Tertiary qualifications in education, health, business or a related discipline.
• Significant senior leadership experience managing complex programs, projects or service delivery portfolios.
• Demonstrated experience developing, implementing and evaluating large-scale initiatives that deliver measurable outcomes.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship management skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate across government, education and community sectors.
• Excellent strategic thinking, analytical and communication skills, including experience preparing high-level reports, briefings and presentations.
• Experience leading geographically dispersed teams and fostering high-performing, inclusive workplace cultures.
• Understanding of contemporary, evidence-informed approaches that support Autistic school-age students, educators and families, including the value of lived experience and co-design.
• Experience managing government-funded programs, contracts or service delivery arrangements.
• Current driver's licence and willingness to undertake interstate travel as required.

You’ll also need a current Working with Children Check (for state/territory of residence) (paid for by employee) and National Police Check (paid for by Aspect).

Additional Information

What we offer:

• Ongoing professional learning opportunities for advancement
• Competitive total remuneration package
• Salary packaging options to increase your take-home pay
• Employee referral incentives
• Access to a wide range of discounts through Beny on everyday purchases
• Discounted membership to fitness facilities through Fitness Passport
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for employees and their families with Converge International.

To apply: Click the “I’m Interested” button and submit your application; a cover letter is optional. Applications close Friday 9 October 2026.

Aspect reserves the right to interview and appoint at any stage during the recruitment process.

Aspect is committed to increasing the number of Autistic staff and providing an inclusive workplace where everyone can feel that they belong. We encourage candidates from all backgrounds including, but not limited to, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, neurodivergent people, people with a disability, the LGBTQIA+ community and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, to apply. We have a range of universal strategies to meet the needs of different people in our hiring processes, and are happy to individualise these.

Enquiries to: Karen Doak, Chief People Officer on kdoak@aspect.org.au.

Learn more about Aspect: www.autismspectrum.org.au 

Learn more about Positive Partnerships: www.positivepartnerships.com.au