Manager, Counselling

The actions we take today impact all our tomorrows
- Flexible, inclusive work environment with generous remuneration and benefits
- Location choices suited to the Australian coastal lifestyle on the east coast

**About** us**:
Southern Cross University is a dynamic, ambitious institution focused on its purpose of changing lives through revolutionary learning and research with real impact. Our game changing Southern Cross Model brings a deeper learning experience, improving individual student outcomes, quality of life and a better way to learn. Our world-ranked research is driving positive impact for our communities, environment and economy.

Working at Southern Cross University combines a rare combination of being surrounded by ambitious students, dedicated colleagues and an environment of stunning natural beauty. We are leaders in our communities in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales, Coffs Harbour and the Gold Coast and pride ourselves on helping shape a better tomorrow.

**About the opportunity**:
The Manager, Student Wellbeing & Safety coordinates and leads the services that provide mental health (Counselling) services and student incident response support. The Manager Student Wellbeing and Safety provides clinical and operational management regarding the provision of services that promote psychological safety, resiliency, mental health wellbeing, and the support programs and resources that reduce the risk of psychological harm and enhances student safety. Your core responsibilities will include:

- Lead and supervise the Student Safety and Wellbeing Team, ensuring a high-performing skilled workforce to meet service objectives
- Provide clinical oversight, guidance and consultancy of psychological and student safety matters including student crisis and incident response, risk assessment, wellbeing checks, therapeutic intervention, and referral pathways. Including taking a key role in the assessment and management of student critical incidents and providing expert advice, and support to relevant stakeholders and students.
- Manage the clinical and operational requirements such as case management record systems, reporting requirements, service evaluation, budgets and ensuring alignment with strategic goals and financial forecasts.
- Lead and implement a continuous improvement framework to ensure the delivery of quality and timely counselling services and other wellbeing & safety initiatives, programs, events and projects in consultation with key stakeholders to reflect best practice and the current higher education sector priorities.
- Provide direct support to students, managing a small caseload and offering support as part of a holistic wellbeing service.

**About you**:
You will be a compassionate leader with expertise in operational improvement, change management, and a strong ability to foster a positive organisational culture. More specifically, you will have:

- Tertiary qualification in counselling, psychology, social work, or welfare services, with significant experience in a higher education environment or relevant field.
- Full registration as a Psychologist or Social Worker with AHPRA or Australian Association of Social Workers.
- Proven leadership skills with a strong ability to organise, prioritise, and manage competing demands effectively.
- Demonstrated experience in case management, counselling or wellbeing roles with experience in managing complex psychosocial issues, behaviour management, crisis intervention, risk assessment and managing a demanding caseload.
- Strong project management experience, from initiation to completion, with advance skills in data analysis, reporting, and a commitment to cultural diversity and workplace equity.

Desirable:

- Hold board approved registration to supervise psychology students on placement based within SCU Counselling Services.

**Salary and benefits**:
Our staff benefit from flexible work arrangements, including hybrid work models, generous parental and carer’s leave provisions, wellbeing initiatives, employee assistance programs and professional learning opportunities. This position is:

- Full-time continuing (permanent)
- Located at either Coffs Harbour, NSW 2450, Gold Coast, QLD 4225, or Lismore, NSW 2480. Generous relocation support available.
- HEW 8. The base salary ranges from $116,672 - $128,651 per annum, plus 17% employer’s contribution to superannuation. The total remuneration package is up to $150,521.

Find out more about working at SCU by visiting Why Work at SCU.

**Application requirements**:
Job applicants must be an Australian or New Zealand citizen, Australian permanent resident or currently hold a visa with ongoing work rights in Australia. Employer visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

**Further information**:
**Closing Date: 11.30pm AEDT, 5 January 2025**

**- Southern Cross University is committed to ensuring that the University reflects the rich diversity across the region in which the Universit