Operations Manager (Youth Bail Program). Permanent Full-time - Hobart

At Life Without Barriers, we’re all about creating safe, supportive environments where children and young people can thrive.

Every day, we work alongside children, young people, families and communities to help shape brighter futures. From supporting children and families to empowering people with disability, mental health challenges or those seeking refuge, we’re here to break down barriers and build better lives.

Join us in making a meaningful difference in the lives of young people through our Youth Bail Support Program.

This is an exciting opportunity to lead the establishment and development of a new Youth Bail Support Program in Tasmania. The program will provide intensive, flexible and community-based support to young people on bail, helping them meet their bail conditions, stay connected to family, culture, education and community, and address the issues that may be contributing to offending.

As Operations Manager, you will play a pivotal role in bringing this new program to life, building the foundations for a high-quality service that places relationships, trust and practical support at the centre of its approach. You will lead program implementation, develop effective service delivery practices, establish strong partnerships and build a team committed to achieving positive outcomes for young people.

Using the Youth Advocate Program (YAP) model, the program will support Youth Advocates to work alongside a small number of young people, building strong, consistent relationships and providing practical, hands-on support where and when it is needed. This is an outreach-focused approach, with support delivered in young people’s homes and communities rather than relying on traditional office-based service delivery.

In addition to the Youth Bail Support Program, the Operations Manager will oversee Mentoring and Personalised Support Services (MAPSS) and the Placement Preservation Support Program, supporting positive outcomes for young people and families through individualised, strengths-based and evidence-informed approaches.

We’re looking for a leader who is passionate about improving outcomes for young people and excited by the opportunity to establish a new service.

You will bring experience in leading teams and delivering services within youth justice, youth services, child and family services, community services or a related field. You will be comfortable navigating the challenges and opportunities that come with building a new program, from establishing effective systems and partnerships to developing a capable, supported and motivated team.

You will lead and support a team of Youth Advocates to deliver flexible, individualised and strengths-based support. You will foster a culture that values persistence, collaboration, cultural responsiveness and the belief that every young person has strengths and potential.

Your responsibilities will include overseeing program establishment, operational planning, workforce development, budgets, service quality, compliance, risk management, stakeholder relationships and ongoing performance. Working collaboratively with families, community organisations and the broader youth justice system, you will help establish a coordinated network of support around young people and create the conditions for the program to deliver meaningful and sustainable outcomes.

This role is suited to an experienced and motivated leader who thrives on building services, developing teams and turning a clear vision into effective practice. You will bring a strong commitment to relationship-based, trauma-informed and community-focused approaches, alongside the operational and strategic skills needed to establish a new program successfully.

• →Lead the establishment, implementation and ongoing development of the new Youth Bail Support Program.
• →Oversee MAPSS, ensuring young people receive individualised support through tailored Care Plans
• →Oversee the Placement Preservation Support Program, supporting the development and implementation of Family Action Plans in partnership with families
• →Develop operational processes, service delivery approaches and team practices that align with the Youth Advocate Program (YAP) model.
• →Recruit, lead, develop and support Youth Advocates to build strong, consistent and trusting relationships with young people and their families.
• →Embed strengths-based, trauma-informed and culturally responsive practice throughout the program.
• →Oversee program planning, workforce management, budgets, performance, quality assurance and compliance with relevant policies and contractual requirements.
• →Establish and maintain effective partnerships with families, community organisations, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, and youth justice and other relevant services.
• →Ensure the service supports young people to meet their bail conditions and strengthen their connections with family, culture, education, employment and positive community activities.
• →Promote an outreach-focused approach that responds flexibly to the needs of young people, including outside traditional business hours where required.
• →Monitor outcomes, identify opportunities for improvement and support the program to evolve in response to the needs of young people and the community.
• →Manage operational risks, complex matters and emerging issues while maintaining a strong focus on safety, accountability and positive outcomes.

• A Recognised Degree Qualification in Human Services or related field.
• Significant leadership or management experience in youth services, youth justice, child and family services, community services or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience establishing, developing or improving programs and services.
• Understanding of youth justice systems, bail conditions and the challenges experienced by young people involved in or at risk of entering the justice system.
• Experience leading teams delivering complex, community-based or outreach services.
• A strong understanding of trauma-informed, strengths-based and relationship-focused practice.
• Demonstrated ability to establish partnerships with families, community organisations and government agencies.
• Strong leadership, communication, negotiation and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Experience in operational management, including workforce planning, budgets, performance monitoring, risk management and quality improvement.
• The ability to think strategically, solve complex problems, manage competing priorities and make sound decisions.
• A demonstrated commitment to culturally safe practice and working respectfully with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people, families and communities.
• A genuine commitment to the safety, wellbeing, participation and positive futures of young people.
• A current driver's licence.

Successful candidates will be required to clear relevant probity checks, including a National Criminal History Record Check and a Working with Children Check, in accordance with role requirements.

Include your resume and covering letter in one document, click ‘Apply’ and follow the prompts. For general role enquiries contact Donna – donna.lynch@lwb.org.au. Please note: We do not accept applications to this email. 

Candidates with disabilities who require adjustments to the recruitment process or the application form in an alternate format can visit https://www.lwb.org.au/careers/ for information on our access and inclusion work and how to contact us directly. 

Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible as applications are continuously reviewed prior to the closing date; and as such the closing date is subject to change without notice. 

We want to employ people who reflect the diversity of our clients to ensure we can support each client's individual needs and wants. We encourage people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander background and people with disability to apply. 

Advertised: 30 Oct 2026 Tasmania Daylight Time
Applications close: 15 Nov 2026 23:55 Tasmania Daylight Time

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