Who are we?

Sonder is an inclusive, not-for-profit organisation that has been providing better quality health and support services to the South Australian community since 1993. We support thousands of people each year to access services across seven key domains – Mental Health, Aboriginal Health, Alcohol and/or other Drugs, Employment, Community Health, Disability, and Homelessness

What benefits can we offer?

When you work with Sonder, you become part of the Sonder community and that provides you with a number of benefits such as:

- Salary (excluding super) paid above award and reviewed annually

- Flexible working arrangements

- Professional development allowance provided yearly

- Generous salary packaging options - increase your take home pay by 6-12%

- 17.5% Leave Loading

- Modern and welcoming office spaces

- Bonus Leave (above annual leave entitlements)

- Training opportunities

- Meal & entertainment allowances

- Paid parental leave, and much more!

Sonder are open to negotiating further benefits with the successful applicant to ensure an excellent working environment for you.

Hours: Full-time (1 FTE)

Contract: Ongoing

Location: Kaurna Country, headspace Adelaide

Salary: $145,000 - $155,000 per annum full time equivalent plus superannuation

More Information & Position Description via this link: https://bit.ly/4e2m5du

About the Role:

This is a rare opportunity to lead one of South Australia’s most innovative youth mental health services through a period of significant transformation.

Sonder is seeking an experienced and values-driven Centre Manager to lead headspace Adelaide Early Psychosis, an internationally recognised service delivered using the Orygen EPPIC model, as it transitions into a Youth Specialist Care Centre (YSCC) - a next-generation model designed to support young people with complex and evolving mental health needs.

The Early Psychosis program provides specialised, recovery-oriented care to young people aged 12–25 years who are at risk of, or experiencing,



a first episode of psychosis. Through multidisciplinary support, psychosocial interventions and family involvement, the service focuses on reducing untreated psychosis and improving long-term recovery outcomes.

Over the next 1–3 years, you will play a pivotal leadership role in implementing the Youth Specialist Care Centre model, a nationally significant reform aimed at supporting young people whose needs sit beyond primary care but below tertiary or inpatient services. YSCC introduces integrated, stage-informed and transdiagnostic care - bringing together mental health, physical health, substance use and psychosocial supports within one coordinated service.

As a senior leader within Sonder, you will oversee a complex, multidisciplinary service while balancing operational excellence with strategic transformation. This role offers the opportunity to influence system reform, lead innovation and contribute to improving outcomes for young people across South Australia.

Key responsibilities include:

- Leading Early Psychosis service delivery aligned to the EPPIC model and organisational strategy

- Driving implementation of the Youth Specialist Care Centre (YSCC) model of care

- Leading, developing and supporting a high-performing multidisciplinary workforce

- Overseeing service operations including access, workforce planning and coordination

- Managing quality, safety, compliance and service performance requirements

- Providing strategic, financial and operational leadership including budgeting and reporting

- Building robust partnerships across PHNs, LHNs, government and sector stakeholders





- Championing inclusive, youth-friendly and recovery-oriented practice

As Professor Patrick McGorry described, this reform presents an opportunity to “make history” in youth mental health care.

Experience Requirements:

You are a collaborative and strategic leader with experience navigating complex service environments and leading large-scale change.

You will bring:

- Demonstrated leadership experience in mental health or human services

- Experience leading service transformation or system redesign initiatives

- Strong operational, financial and contract management capability

- Proven success leading multidisciplinary teams

- Experience building partnerships across government and health systems

- Excellent stakeholder engagement, communication and problem-solving skills

Experience within tertiary, sub-acute, hospital or similarly complex service settings will be highly regarded.

Qualification and Other Requirements:

Essential criteria:

- Demonstrated experience in a leadership or management role

- Current or willing to obtain a Working with Children's Check (WWCC)

- Current or willing to obtain a National Police Check (NPC)

Desirable qualifications and experience:

- Tertiary qualification in one of the following fields:

- Psychology

- Social Work

- Occupational Therapy

- Nursing

- Completion of a leadership program or course (accredited or non-accredited)

- Relevant postgraduate or management qualifications (e.g. Clinical Redesign, MBA, or similar)

How to apply:

Applicants are requested to send a cover letter and resume to Sonder via our careers portal on our website.

Feel free to send any enquiries to [email protected]

Advert Closing Date: Monday 8 June 2026

At Sonder, we strive to respond to all applicants. However, due to the high volume of applications we receive, we may only be able to contact those shortlisted for the role. Thank you for your understanding.

📌 Centre Manager - headspace Adelaide Early Psychosis
🏢 Recognized
📍 Adelaide