Job description
Help create safer futures for women and children by establishing a service that delivers meaningful, long-term support when it's needed most.
Lead the development and delivery of a new outreach service, building strong partnerships, guiding a dedicated team and preparing for the launch of a future crisis shelter.
Full-time opportunity based in the Southern Highlands or surrounding areas.
The Impact of the Organisation
Women's Community Shelters (WCS) is a not-for-profit organisation that partners with communities to establish and operate crisis accommodation services for women and children experiencing domestic and family violence and homelessness.
WCS has established a growing network of shelters and innovative housing and education programs across NSW and, more recently, Victoria, prioritising safety, dignity and empowerment.
The organisation is recognised for its agility, evidence-informed advocacy and deep commitment to centring women's voices.
Through partnerships with local communities, philanthropists, service providers and government, WCS is delivering scalable impact while maintaining a person-centred, community-led approach.
The Impact of the Role
As Shelter Manager, you will play a pivotal role in creating a service that offers safety, stability and hope to women and children experiencing domestic and family violence and homelessness.
Through your leadership, women will have access to compassionate, trauma-informed support that empowers them to rebuild their lives, strengthen their independence and move towards long-term safety.
This is an opportunity to establish a service that will have a lasting impact on individuals, families and the broader Southern Highlands community for years to come.
Reporting to the Manager Housing Innovation, you'll lead the establishment of a new interim outreach service, shaping its systems, processes and partnerships from the ground up.
Leading a small team, you'll oversee service delivery, build strong referral networks across the Southern Highlands and ensure the service operates in line with best practice.
As the service evolves, you'll play a key role in transitioning the outreach model into a fully operational core and cluster refuge.
Key responsibilities include:
Lead the establishment of a new trauma-informed outreach service, creating a safe and responsive pathway for women and children experiencing domestic and family violence and homelessness.
Oversee the delivery of high-quality, person-centred services, ensuring best practice, continuous improvement and positive outcomes for clients.
Build and strengthen strategic partnerships with community organisations,



government agencies and housing providers to create effective referral pathways and coordinated support.
Recruit, lead and develop a high-performing team, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, wellbeing and service excellence.
Drive the development of innovative service models, systems and processes that will support the successful transition to a future core and cluster crisis shelter.
Ensure the service operates in line with legislative, funding and quality standards, while proactively managing risk, compliance and operational performance.
Contribute to strategic planning, reporting and service development, using insights and data to strengthen the long-term sustainability and impact of the service.
Represent the organisation across local networks, forums and stakeholder groups, building the service's profile and advocating for improved outcomes for women and families.
Lead the transition from an outreach-based model to a fully operational crisis shelter, helping shape the future direction of the service.
Oversee service operations, resource allocation and budgeting to ensure the effective and sustainable delivery of high-quality support.
About You
You're a compassionate and capable leader with experience in trauma-informed service delivery, solid stakeholder engagement skills and the ability to build services, teams and partnerships that make a lasting difference.
You will have:
Demonstrated experience leading housing, homelessness, domestic and family violence or other complex community services.
Strong understanding of trauma-informed practice, risk assessment and supporting women experiencing domestic and family violence.
Proven ability to build trusted partnerships and collaborate with community organisations, government agencies and local stakeholders.
Experience leading, mentoring and supporting frontline teams to deliver high-quality, person-centred services.
Confidence establishing new programs, improving service delivery and driving continuous improvement in evolving environments.
Excellent communication, relationship-building and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate across diverse groups.
Strong organisational skills,



sound judgement and the ability to manage competing priorities while working autonomously.
A genuine commitment to the organisation's values, with a passion for empowering women, delivering compassionate support and creating safer, stronger communities.
As this role provides specialist support to women and their children, being a woman is a genuine occupational qualification for this position under section 31 of the Anti-Discrimination Act **** (NSW) and section 30 of the Sex Discrimination Act **** (Cth).
Benefits of Working with Women's Community Shelters
Take the lead in establishing a brand-new service, creating the foundations for a future crisis shelter that will support women and children for years to come.
Join a respected, purpose-driven organisation committed to empowering women, strengthening communities and delivering high-quality, trauma-informed services.
Be supported by a collaborative leadership team, with centralised governance that allows you to focus on leading the service.
If you're passionate about building high-quality services and improving housing and safety outcomes for women and children, we'd love to hear from you.
Upload your CV and a brief cover letter outlining your interest and suitability for the role.
For a confidential discussion, please contact Chloe Barton at ****** using the subject line: Shelter Manager - Interim Outreach & Service Establishment - Women's Community Shelters - Southern Highlands enquiry via EthicalJobs or ************.
Applications will be reviewed as they are received, with conversations progressing with suitable candidates throughout the recruitment process.
Interviews may commence prior to the closing date, so we encourage early applications.
Impact Advising is committed to creating diverse and inclusive work environments that reflect the rich tapestry of our communities.
We believe that diversity enriches organisations and fosters innovation.
We are dedicated to building workforces that are representative of the diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives of our society.
We embrace diversity in all its forms, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, gender, age, sexual orientation, religion, disability, and cultural background.
We actively seek to foster inclusive workplaces where all employees can bring their whole selves to work, feel respected and valued, and have equal opportunities for growth and advancement.
We are committed to providing a fair and unbiased recruitment process, and we strive to eliminate any barriers that may impede the inclusion and participation of underrepresented groups in the workforce.

📌 Shelter Manager - Interim Outreach & Service Establishment - Women'S Community Shelters - Southern Highlands (New South Wales)
🏢 Impact Advising
📍 New South Wales