Department Manager, Community & Early Childhood Education

Lead people. Inspire educators. Change lives through learning.

At Box Hill Institute, we believe education changes lives. We're seeking an experienced and passionate Department Manager – Community & Early Childhood to lead our Community Services, Mental Health, Early Childhood and Education Support programs within the Faculty of Health, Community & Animals.

This is a rewarding leadership opportunity for someone who loves working with people, building high-performing teams, and creating exceptional outcomes for students, staff and industry.

Why you'll love this role

• Lead a passionate team making a genuine difference in people's lives
• Drive educational excellence and student success
• Build strong industry and community partnerships
• Influence the future workforce across critical community services sectors
• Join an organisation with a proud history and bold vision for the future

About the Role

This is not a leadership role from behind a desk. We're looking for a leader who loves being in the thick of it and being apart of the action. Someone who is visible, approachable and genuinely invested in their people. You'll be working alongside your team, coaching, mentoring, solving problems, celebrating successes and creating a culture where staff feel supported, valued and empowered to do their best work.

This is an opportunity to make a real and lasting difference through everyday leadership.

While you'll contribute to continuous improvement and future planning, your focus will be on what matters most every day, leading people, managing performance, ensuring quality and compliance, delivering strong student outcomes and creating a positive, engaged and high-performing culture.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, coach and develop a team of educators and professional staff
• Deliver high-quality vocational education and training outcomes
• Drive compliance, quality assurance and continuous improvement
• Manage department performance, budgets and resources
• Build and maintain strong industry, government and community partnerships
• Support student engagement, retention and success
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration and excellence

About You

You are an experienced education leader who combines operational excellence with a genuine passion for people.

You'll bring:

• Degree or AQF Level 6+ qualification in Vocational Education
• Qualification in Community Services, Mental Health, Early Childhood Education, Education Support or a related discipline
• Current Training and Assessment credentials meeting VET regulatory requirements
• Demonstrated leadership experience within a VET, TAFE or education environment
• Strong knowledge of VET compliance frameworks including SRTOs, VRQA and ESOS
• Experience managing people, performance, budgets and competing priorities
• Exceptional stakeholder engagement and relationship-building skills
• A collaborative, authentic and values-driven leadership style

Why work with us?

At Box Hill Institute, we offer a supportive and rewarding work environment with benefits that are designed to help you thrive both professionally and personally:

• Flexible work arrangements 
• On-site parking
• Generous leave options such as Emergency response leave and up to 16 weeks paid Parental Leave
• Health & wellbeing supports and resources, including FREE flu-vaccinations, FREE skin checks, FREE health checks and corporate health insurance discounts
• Financial perks like novated leasing and salary packaging
• Unique campus experiences to support student learning
• Exclusive staff discounts on CAE/Box Hill Institute short courses for staff and their immediate family

APPLY NOW

All applications must be submitted online and include a cover letter and current resume.

For specific enquiries relating to this position, please contact Robyn Megna, Head of Department via email at R.Megna@boxhill.edu.au.

Applications close: 5:00pm, 29^th July 2026

Applications will be assessed as they are received, and the role may be filled prior to the closing date.

We are a 2026 Circle Back Initiative Employer – we commit to respond to every applicant.

Box Hill Institute is a welcoming, safe and respectful work environment. We are work-life friendly and an equal opportunity employer. We encourage people from all backgrounds, abilities and identities to apply for our vacancies.

Box Hill Institute is a Child Safe Organisation and has a zero tolerance towards the harm or abuse of children and young people. We believe that child safety is everyone’s responsibility. All employees, volunteers, contractors and service providers are required to promote a culture of child safety, comply with the Child Safe Standards and other relevant legislation and reporting obligations of suspected child abuse as per the Institute’s Child Safety Policy and Procedures.  All employees are required to hold and maintain a current, valid Working with Children Check for the duration of their employment at their own expense.

Candidates for employment at Box Hill Institute will be subject to pre-employment probity checks, and must satisfy Box Hill Institute’s pre-conditions for employment.

Box Hill Institute reserves the right to withdraw an advertised position at any stage.