Operations Coordinator, Commonground Seymour, Victoria

0.5 FTE (2.5 days = 19 hours per week), one-year contract to be extended pending funding $55,000 - 65,000 pro rata + 9.5% super, accommodation (optional) plus additional benefits Background This is an exciting role leading one of Australia’s longest-standing social enterprises, the Commonground social change Venue. You will oversee support for an inspiring range of social change organisations on a beautiful 95-acre property in North Central Victoria. Commonground Training Resources is a registered charity, established in 1984 to resource the social change movement. Over the last thirty-four years we have supported thousands of social change groups to build their skills and effectiveness in their work for social change by using our conference centre. This position may be ideally suited to you if you are keen to:

• Work for an organisation with strong social justice values and huge potential to create change • Be part of a community supporting and networking with a wide range of social change groups • Learn from others experienced in the social change sector • Practice your facilitation and collaborative management • Give back and contribute to making a difference • Live and/or work in a beautiful natural setting • Learn about and experience life in a cooperative and intentional community

About the role Commonground has a strong foundation as a social enterprise and a wide network in the social change movement. We are now seeking someone to further develop the role we play in movement building. This will be a dynamic role and will require someone who is comfortable to work autonomously in a business landscape where the answers aren’t always known. You will also need to be comfortable working collaboratively, living out the non-hierarchical and collaborative values of Commonground and its intentional community.

This is a 2.5 days (19 hours) a week position. The role occasionally requires flexible working hours for participating in Commonground community meetings and events. The role will be based at Commonground, near Seymour, just over an hour north of Melbourne. The successful candidate will have the option of staying at Commonground part-time or negotiating becoming a full time resident of Commonground's intentional community. The Operations Coordinator will primarily work with and report to the Commonground Venue Team as well as the Outreach Working Group, and the Commonground Council, where needed. In addition to a base salary, bonuses based on new business growth can be negotiated. We are initially offering a one-year contract but expect that this will be extended pending available funding. The position includes a three-month probationary period. Opportunities for professional development can also be negotiated, including with Commonground’s education arm, the Groupwork Institute of Australia. Commonground acknowledges and pays respects to the Taungurung clans and elders, past, present and future, as the traditional custodians of the land we live and work on at Commonground. Commonground is an equal opportunity employer. People with disability, people from culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds and Aboriginal people are encouraged to apply for this position.

Job responsibilities:

• Manage the Commonground calendar to accommodate Commonground community events and venue user groups

• Liaise with venue user groups to respond to enquiries, take bookings, negotiate and provide quotes, and negotiate venue services to be provided.

• Collaborate with the venue team to ensure all events are managed well and maintain and develop venue infrastructure.

• Manage staff and contractors, including caterers & cleaners • Manage business operations including bill payment, issuing invoices, payroll & superannuation and

managing cash flow. • Contribute to strategy development and implementation which may include:

o Marketing to and recruiting new venue user groups in line with Commonground priorities o Supporting Commonground to run its own events o Strengthening Commonground's residential and wider community o Developing new partnership projects, including with sister organisation the Groupwork Institute

of Australia • Assist the Commonground Council with budgeting and by providing quarterly financial and

venue usage reports • Develop systems to more efficiently run the venue • Participate in and work with Commonground working groups as required, particularly the

Outreach Working Group regarding marketing Commonground venue and events

Selection criteria We are seeking applications from people who have demonstrated experience in the following areas. Even if you only meet some of these requirements, but you think you’re right for the job and are ready to learn, we’re keen to hear from you. The role will be developed to meet the skills and experience of the right candidate.

Required skills:

• Organisational skills - experience managing a busy calendar and the needs of multiple stakeholders • Collaboration skills - experience working with a wide range of people including marginalised and

disadvantaged groups • Relationship building skills - experience working within the social change sector, networking and

maintaining existing relationships • Financial accounting skills - experience managing financial operations and budgeting for a project or

a small organisation • Computer skills - experience using Mac Mail, Google Drive, Microsoft word templates, Excel, MYOB

Desired skills:

We are also keen to hear from you if you have additional skills in any of the following areas:

• Marketing - experience marketing events and venue services through face to face and online avenues • Written communication skills - experience producing newsletters and social media content, familiarity

with Mailchimp, Eventbrite and Survey Monkey ideal. • Business development skills, experience in supporting the development of new income generating

projects. • Partnership development skills, experience in developing and maintaining project partnerships with

the community sector • Grant writing skills, experience writing and winning grants to support social change and social justice

initiatives • Social media skills, experience using social media to market events and foster a sense of community

connection • IT management skills, experience in maintaining and developing basic office computer systems • Infrastructure management skills, experience in managing physical infrastructure, including

maintenance and development

Application details Applications close at 8pm on Monday 15th of October 2018. To apply, send the following documents to admin@common-ground.org.au:

• A cover letter outlining your interest and fit for the role • A short document outlining your experience against the selection criteria • Your CV

For any enquiries or to discuss the role contact James Tonson on (03) 5793 8257.