Position Description

Director, Collaborative Solutions

Role Specifics

Direct reports | 3

Reports to | Chief Executive Officer

FTE | 1.0 (Full-Time)

Location | Flexible - PLACE functions as a remote/hybrid workforce

PLACE Level | 4

Salary Range | $130,000 - $165,000 + superannuation

Role Summary

The Director of the Collaborative Solutions Function will lead PLACE’s work to address issues of national significance that impact the success of place-based initiatives. These challenges might include inflexible policies, funding models that don’t match local needs, and difficulty in scaling new innovations.

The Director will bring together key stakeholders to identify and address these issues, support the development of innovative ideas, and build partnerships to create real change. This role is essential to creating a stronger, more coordinated approach to place-based work across Australia.

As a member of PLACE’s executive leadership team, the Director, Collaborative Solutions will play a critical role in shaping the organisation’s direction, fostering collaboration across functions, and contributing to key strategic decisions. During PLACE’s establishment phase, this role will provide leadership and guidance to ensure the organisation’s foundational structures, strategies, and partnerships are effectively established. This includes working closely with the CEO, Board, and other executive leaders to embed PLACE’s values and operational excellence across all areas of the organisation.

Who We Are

Partnerships for Local Action and Community Empowerment (PLACE) is a not-for-profit organisation, committed to collaborative, community-driven approaches to create impactful and lasting change. 

It is our vision to enable communities and governments to jointly decide on matters that are most important to our lives. We lead national initiatives to develop workforce strategies, enhance place-based practices and improve data monitoring and evaluation. 

At PLACE, we are dedicated to creating lasting change through understanding, action and empowered governance.

Areas of Responsibility

1. Leadership and Strategy

  • Lead the Support Collaborative Solutions Function, ensuring it focuses on issues of national importance that affect communities and place-based initiatives.

  • Build and manage a high-performing team to support collaboration and drive innovation.

  • Provide clear and practical leadership to ensure PLACE’s Collaborative Solutions work is effective and impactful.

  • Actively contribute to PLACE’s executive leadership team, providing strategic advice and input on PLACE’s growth and development as a newly established organisation.

  • Support the CEO in establishing PLACE’s credibility, reputation, and influence during its foundational phase.

2. Collaboration and Convening

  • Bring together diverse groups—such as government, philanthropy, community organisations, and practitioners—to discuss challenges and identify solutions.

  • Facilitate workshops and forums to create shared understanding and collaborative solutions to common problems.

  • Ensure the voices of First Nations communities and other underrepresented groups are included in all decision-making processes.

3. Innovation and Incubation

  • Establish and manage an innovation hub to develop and test new approaches that address challenges of national significance.

  • Provide funding, mentoring, and expert advice to help promising ideas grow into real, practical solutions.

  • Work closely with PLACE’s Learn and Share function to ensure new solutions are informed by evidence and best practice.

4. Partnership Development

  • Build strong relationships with partners across sectors to support PLACE’s work and create long-term collaborations.

  • Represent PLACE in national discussions about improving outcomes for communities through better policies and practices.

  • Foster connections between PLACE and other initiatives to share knowledge and avoid duplication of effort.

5. Monitoring and Impact

  • Develop ways to measure the success of collaborative efforts and innovative solutions, focusing on real-world outcomes for communities.

  • Use lessons learned to improve PLACE’s work and share insights across the sector.

  • Promote the success of PLACE’s initiatives to encourage wider adoption and attract new partners.