Director of Programs

The Healing Foundation Executive Leadership | National Programs | Sector Capability

The Healing Foundation is seeking an experienced and values-driven Director of Programs to provide executive leadership across our national program portfolio and strengthen the capability of organisations supporting Stolen Generations survivors, their families and communities.

Reporting to the Deputy Chief Executive Officer, this newly created senior leadership role will lead the Programs function and a team of approximately 3–5 people.

This is an opportunity to shape the strategic direction of nationally significant programs, partnerships and sector initiatives while ensuring our work remains culturally safe, trauma-informed, evidence-informed and focused on meaningful outcomes.

About the role

As Director of Programs, you will provide strategic leadership across The Healing Foundation's national program portfolio, including grants, workforce capability, education and health promotion initiatives.

You will work closely with the Executive, CEO, Board, governments, Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations, Stolen Generations Organisations and other partners to strengthen sector capability, identify new opportunities and maximise the Foundation's national impact.

Your key responsibilities will include:

- Setting the strategic direction and priorities for the Foundation's national program portfolio.
- Leading the planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of grants, workforce capability, education and health promotion initiatives.
- Overseeing the Foundation's national grants program and ensuring funding milestones, acquittals and reporting obligations are met.
- Building the capability of Stolen Generations Organisations and organisations working with survivors.
- Developing strategic partnerships and identifying funding and investment opportunities.




- Representing The Healing Foundation with government, community-controlled organisations, sector partners and other stakeholders nationally.
- Providing high-quality strategic advice and reporting to the Executive, CEO and Board.
- Ensuring programs and partnerships meet funding, legislative, governance, procurement and contractual requirements.
- Leading workforce and capability planning across the Programs & Sector Support function.
- Setting transparent performance, behavioural and capability standards while empowering senior team members to lead day-to-day delivery.
- Championing cultural integrity, organisational change, innovation and continuous improvement.

About you

You will be an accomplished senior leader with experience overseeing complex programs, building strong partnerships and translating strategy into measurable outcomes.

You will bring:

- Tertiary qualifications in a relevant discipline, or equivalent senior-level experience.
- Extensive leadership experience managing complex community, government or grant-funded programs.
- Demonstrated experience working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations and communities.
- Strong experience leading multidisciplinary teams, strategic partnerships and organisational change.
- A strong understanding of culturally safe and trauma-informed practice.
- The ability to operate strategically while ensuring strong governance, accountability and delivery.
- Strong financial,



program management and stakeholder engagement capability.
- The confidence to provide considered advice to executives, Boards and senior external stakeholders.

Most importantly, you will bring a high-level understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, histories and contemporary issues, including the historical and contemporary experiences of Stolen Generations survivors, their families and communities.

You will demonstrate a commitment to Indigenous governance and leadership principles and be able to translate these principles into everyday leadership, decision-making and organisational practice.

Your leadership style

You will be a critical and strategic thinker who can shape a clear agenda and translate high-level priorities into meaningful action.

You will lead with integrity, create clarity and accountability, build the capability of others and foster a positive and culturally safe working environment.

You will be comfortable navigating complexity, resolving strategic and cross-organisational challenges and ensuring teams remain focused on quality, impact and timely delivery.

The Healing Foundation is a national Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisation that partners with communities to address the ongoing trauma caused by actions including the forced removal of children from their families.

Our work is centred on supporting Stolen Generations survivors, their families and communities and strengthening the systems, services and organisations that contribute to healing.

If you are a senior leader who combines strategic program leadership, strong sector relationships and a genuine commitment to culturally informed and survivor-centred outcomes, we would welcome your application.

We strongly encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants to apply.

📌 Director Of Programs (Canberra)
🏢 The Healing Foundation
📍 Canberra