Head of Safeguarding Services

• Make a meaningful difference in the lives of children and families
• Full time ongoing role with a NFP organisation + remote working arrangements
• $129,210.64 - $140,625.20 + Super + Salary Packaging up to $15,900

About the opportunity
The Head of Safeguarding Services is responsible for the strategic leadership, growth, and performance of the Foundation’s safeguarding service portfolio across four key streams:

• Accreditation and Evaluation
• Training and Capability Development
• Consultancy and Advisory Services
• On Us Coalition

This role leads the next evolution of safeguarding services, ensuring the Foundation remains the recognised market leader in child safeguarding through innovation, commercial sustainability, service excellence, and external influence.

The Head of Safeguarding Services ensures the Foundation’s safeguarding work creates meaningful impact by supporting organisations to prevent harm, strengthen accountability, and embed sustainable child safe cultures where children and young people feel safe, heard, and supported.

The role is responsible for modernising services, strengthening market position, driving revenue growth, improving client experience, and building a high-performing national team aligned to the Team’s Adventure Strategy.

The Head of Safeguarding Services leads a geographically dispersed team and works closely with internal departments including business development, partnerships, marketing and communications, finance, and executive leadership.
Due to the national nature of the program, interstate travel is required.

Australian Childhood Foundation
The Australian Childhood Foundation is a leading not-for-profit organisation dedicated to supporting children and young people to recover from the impacts of abuse, neglect, and family violence. We provide specialist therapeutic services, advocacy, and education programs underpinned by the latest research in neuroscience, attachment, and trauma. Our work is driven by a commitment to creating safe, supportive environments where every child can thrive.

About you - Key Selection Criteria:

• Relevant tertiary qualification in a field related to child safeguarding, human services, social work, psychology, education, law, business leadership, or a related discipline.
• Significant senior leadership experience in child safeguarding, child safety, organisational risk, consulting, professional services, or a complex multi-sector environment.
• Deep and current knowledge of National Child Safe Principles, state and territory Child Safe Standards, relevant legislation, and best practice in safeguarding children and young people across Australia.
• Demonstrated experience in working with or responding to child abuse, harm, trauma, or complex child safeguarding concerns.
• Proven success in leading strategic growth, service innovation, and organisational transformation within safeguarding, consulting, accreditation, training, or professional services environments.
• Strong commercial acumen, including experience in revenue growth, financial oversight, forecasting, service design, pricing strategy, and client conversion.
• Demonstrated experience leading high-performing teams, including coaching, performance development, succession planning, and building strong organisational culture.
• Extensive experience in consultancy delivery including reviews, practice frameworks, assessments, investigations, organisational development, and advisory services.
• Extensive experience in designing and delivering professional learning, training programs, workshops, and capability-building initiatives across diverse sectors.
• Proven ability to manage large-scale strategic projects, contracts, and service delivery outcomes to a high standard.
• Advanced interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to manage sensitive and complex issues with professionalism, confidence, and empathy.
• Strong stakeholder engagement, negotiation, and partnership-building capability across government, business, community, and corporate sectors.
• Demonstrated commitment to reflective practice, continuous improvement, and evidence-informed decision making.
• Capacity to thrive in a dynamic and evolving environment, with the ability to lead through complexity and change.
• Personal values and professional ethics aligned to the mission and values of the Australian Childhood Foundation.
• Current driver’s licence (or equivalent) and a valid Working with Children Check (or equivalent) for the relevant jurisdiction.

What we offer

• Salary Packaging – Increase your take-home pay with up to $15,900 of tax-free benefits.
• Wellbeing Support – Access to confidential Employee Assistance program
• National Network – Connect with a passionate professional community across Australia.
• Values-Driven Culture: Be part of a trauma-informed, child-focused organisation that puts children’s needs and voices at the centre of everything we do.
• Real Impact – Contribute to innovative programs that create meaningful change for children, young people and families.
• NT Additional Leave – employees working from the NT have access to additional annual leave

To learn more about our work and the impact we’re making for children and families, please visit: https://www.childhood.org.au/

To Apply:
If you are interested in making a difference in the lives of children, please click APPLY and attach a copy of your current resume along with a cover letter, addressing each of the Key Selection Criteria.

🔎 For a copy of the Position Description please visit: https://auschildhood.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/HumanResourcesHub/IQCt85LNPPTHQYpnsG2zKVC6ATaBRkCiA_55w5ZhWzPsYLg?e=BEylkT

Applications close on 9 June 2026, unless a suitable candidate is appointed earlier.

Australian Childhood Foundation is committed to protecting children and young people from harm. We require all applicants to undergo an extensive screening process prior to appointment including National Police Check, Working with Children Checks and additional State based program checks.

Australian Childhood Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with cultural and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and people with a disability are strongly encouraged to apply. Members of the LGBITQ+ community are strongly encouraged to apply.