GM – NDIS Early Childhood Approach

2138 Rhodes Lifestart Disability Services

AboutLifestart

Build your future while empowering children,familiesand communities.

AtLifestart, you will joinone of Australia’s leading disability service providersand contribute to work shaped bystrong values and lived experience. Founded in 1996 by eight families,Lifestartnowoperatesacross eight NSW locationsand supports more than13,000 children, young people,familiesand carers across Australia.

We deliver the NDIS Early Childhood Approach across fiveNSWregions,partneringwith families and communities toconnectchildren with disability, developmentaldelayor developmental concernstothesupportsthey need toreach theirpotential.

The Opportunity

This is an opportunity foran experienced,values-driven General ManagertojoinLifestarton a12-month fixed-term contract and leadourEarly ChildhoodApproachprogram across five NSW service areas.

Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer and working as a key member ofLifestart’sExecutive Team, you willguidean experienced Early Childhoodleadership team, including five Service Area Manager and key program-wide leadership roles.

You will have the scope to influence the future ofLifestart’sEarly Childhood services during a period of continued evolution across the NDIS and disability sector.Bringingtogether strategy,peopleleadership and operationalexpertise, you willstrengthenservices andhelp delivermeaningful outcomes for children and families.

WhatYou’llLead

- Provide strategic and operational leadership across the Early ChildhoodApproach,supportingconsistent,high-quality service delivery across all five NSW regions.
- Lead,coachand develop five Service Area Managers and the broader Early Childhoodleadershipteam, building leadership capability and a high-performing culture.
- Drive performance against NDIA contractual requirements and the Performance Management Framework,helping achievekey service andorganisationaloutcomes.
- Guidethe department through NDIS reform and change,



translatingsectorchanges into effective operational practice while supporting leaders and teams through transition.
- Oversee budgets, workforceplanningand resource allocation toenableoperational performance and financial sustainability.
- Use data and performance insights toidentifyopportunities, respond tochallengesand drive continuous improvement across the program.
- Maintainstrong governance across quality, safeguarding, child safety, risk,complianceand regulatory requirements.
- Build andmaintainstrategic relationships with the NDIA, governmentagenciesand sector stakeholders,representingLifestartinkey forums and meetings.
- Partnerwith the CEO and Executive Team to contribute to Lifestart’s broader strategy andorganisationalpriorities.

About You

You areasenior leader who combines strong operational capability with strategic thinking and a genuine commitment to improving outcomes for children and families.

You areconfidentleading at scale, navigating complexity and change, and working collaboratively with executives, governmentagenciesand multidisciplinary teams.

WhatYou’llBring

- Arecognisedtertiary qualification in Education, Allied Health, Social Sciences or another relevant discipline.
- Extensive leadership and management experience within the NDIS, disability, earlychildhoodor broader community services sector.
- Strong knowledge of the NDIS and Early Childhood Approach, with NDIA/PITC experience highly regarded.
- Demonstrated experience leading large, multidisciplinary teams through senior leaders and managers.
- Strong experience in strategic, operational,financialand resource management.




- Demonstrated success leadingorganisationalchange and navigating reform,policyor legislative change.
- Experience driving performance,accountabilityand continuous improvement using data and operational insights.
- Strong understanding of quality, safeguarding,riskand compliance within a regulated service environment.
- Exceptional stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build credible relationships at executive,governmentand sector level.

You will also require full Australian working rights, a current Working with Children Check, NDIS Worker Screening Check, Driver Licence and access to a reliable, insured vehicle.

Why JoinLifestart?

AtLifestart,your leadership will help children and young people living with disability participate inclusively and meaningfully in their communities. Our organisation was founded by families, and30 years later,working in partnership with children, families and communities remains central to everything we do.

You will be part of an organisation guided by Empowerment, Equity,Collaboration, and Impact—values that shape how we work, how we lead and the outcomes we seek.

You will also benefit from:

- A competitive executive salary plus superannuation.
- NFP salary packaging of up to $15,900 tax-free, plus a meals and entertainment allowance of up to $2,650.
- One week of paid gifted leave each year.
- An additional week of personal leave, providing 15 days in total, plus Cultural & Ceremonial leave.
- Flexible and hybrid working arrangements.
- Access to novated vehicle leasing and travel allowances.
- An Employee Assistance Program with complimentary counselling sessions.
- Career development and leadership support.
- The opportunity to influence the future direction of one of Lifestart’slargest service areas and make a meaningful impact for thousands of children and families.

Ready to Apply?

If you are a senior leader who is passionate about building high-performing services and improving outcomes for children and families, we would love to hear from you.

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📌 Senior Early Childhood Teacher & Mentor (Eylf/Nqs) (Sydney)
🏢 Young Academics
📍 Sydney