Foster Care Recruitment Lead

About the role

Are you driven by a passion to create safe, nurturing homes for children and young people who need it most? Do you thrive on connecting with communities, building meaningful relationships, and inspiring others to make a difference?

MacKillop Family Services is expanding into Queensland, launching a Foster Care program across the Sunshine Coast and Central Queensland region. This is a unique opportunity to be part of something from the ground up helping establish and grow a service that will have a lasting impact on children, young people, and families.

We’re looking for a strategic, creative, and highly motivated Foster Care Recruitment Lead to drive the attraction and engagement of foster carers across the region. In this role, you’ll take the lead in designing and delivering innovative recruitment and marketing strategies, working closely with internal teams and local communities to build a strong and sustainable carer pipeline.

If you're ready to take ownership, think strategically, and make a meaningful difference from day one, we’d love to hear from you.

What we offer at MacKillop:

• SCHADS (Level 6) $55.72– $58.19 – Dependent on qualifications & experience
• More money in your pocket – salary sacrifice up to $18,550 per year, which allows you to reduce the amount of tax you pay.
• Wellbeing that matters - Free, confidential support for mental, physical, financial and social wellbeing.
• Sanctuary Organisation - MacKillop’s work is underpinned by the Sanctuary Model, an evidence supported, whole of organisation framework that brings our values to life. The model reinforces our ability to create a safe environment that teaches people to cope effectively with stress and trauma, and to heal.
• First Nations career pathways – Warrungarli Strategy supporting recruitment, retention and professional development
• Community & connection – Opportunity to join Ngindaay Guumaldanha, our Aboriginal Staff Network

In this role, you’ll:

• Lead the development and delivery of strategic marketing and recruitment plans to attract foster carers
• Design and implement targeted campaigns and community engagement activities across priority regions
• Work closely with the Community Engagement team to deliver clear, compelling recruitment messaging
• Build strong relationships with community stakeholders, media, and local networks
• Analyse data and insights to continuously improve recruitment strategies and outcomes
• Support grassroots recruitment activities, including events, outreach, and community presence
• Develop reports to support continuous improvement and meet operational reporting requirements
• Champion trauma-informed practice and the Sanctuary Model across all aspects of the program
• Ensure compliance with child protection legislation, policies, and quality standards
• Travel regularly across regional areas and work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends where required

We are recruiting a Foster Care Recruitment Lead based across the Sunshine Coast and Central Queensland region, with regular travel required. The role sits within the Queensland Foster Care Recruitment team and reports to the National Leader, Foster Care Development, working closely with the Foster Care Recruitment Coordinator and Community Engagement team.

This is a full-time position, with flexibility required including occasional evenings and weekends.

Key Selection Criteria:

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• A relevant tertiary qualification in social work, marketing, community engagement, business, human resources, education, or a related field
• Demonstrated experience in community engagement, stakeholder engagement, or event management
• Experience in marketing, communications, media engagement, or public relations
• Strong customer service and relationship management experience
• High level organisational skills with the ability to plan, prioritise, and meet deadlines
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work collaboratively while also operating independently

Please address the full Key Selection Criteria outlined in the Position Description as part of your application.

We value the unique knowledge, perspectives, and cultural contributions of First Nations peoples. Your experience and insights are important to us, and we strongly encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates to apply. 

You must have:

• A valid Driver’s Licence
• A valid Blue Card / Working with Children Check
• A valid NDIS Worker Check
• A satisfactory Criminal History Check (paid by MacKillop)

Our Commitment:

MacKillop celebrates and draws strength from diversity and respects the dignity of all people. Every person has the right to be safe and to be treated justly. We value every person’s ability, cultural or linguistic backgrounds, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, intersex status, relationship status, religious or spiritual beliefs, socio-economic status, and age.

It is our goal that we continue to evolve as a culturally safe, culturally competent, and welcoming organisation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, young people, families, and communities.

Shortlisting may commence immediately, so please apply as soon as possible.