Jennifer Parke
Lismore,NSW
Summary
Passionate leader with a commitment to social impact. Skilled at building cross-sector partnerships and fostering innovation to address complex challenges. Deeply valuing client-centered, healing-oriented approaches and ensuring the voices of those with lived experience are heard. Embracing continuous learning while managing projects and fostering high-performing teams. Developing workplace reforms that enhance efficiency, client services, and organisational impact.
Overview
31
31
years of professional experience
Work History
Head of Operations
Human Nature
05.2020 - Current
- Providing executive level leadership across all strategic and operational activities of a youth mental health not-for-profit organisation
- Meeting business performance outcomes, standards and compliance requirements, to ensure delivery of an exceptional experience for all staff, clients and stakeholders
- Reporting to the CEO and having managerial responsibility for service delivery, including quality assurance, safety and risk management, therapeutic team and program oversight, policy and processes, business performance and reporting, organisation compliance, stakeholder engagement and relationships,
- Responsible for establishing, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating projects and programs that are aligned to the organisation’s vision
- Key Achievements: leading and implementing a complete re-design of the service in a co-design model with clients, improving organisational sustainability and impact
Program Manager
AIME Mentoring
02.2018 - 05.2020
- Manage youth Indigenous mentoring program for Indigenous High School students including recruiting, training and supervising mentors and interns; liaising with local high schools to recruit Aboriginal mentees; organising and facilitating mentoring workshops and Tutor Squads; managing stakeholder relationships with Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people, communities and organisations; supporting year 12 students into successful post school transitions including internships, work experience, University, TAFE, traineeships, apprenticeships and employment
- Key Achievements: achieving highest number of schools engaged (14) and highest number of Aboriginal mentees (386) in the Program’s history locally and second highest figures in Australia
- Supporting 97% of Aboriginal year 12 graduates to successful post school transition
- Receiving positive feedback from program participants, parents and school staff.
Homeless Youth Assistance Program Manager
Social Futures
11.2016 - 02.2018
- Establish new program working with unaccompanied 12-15 year olds including recruiting, training, supporting and supervising staff; developing policies and procedures and risk management framework; consulting and liaising with stakeholders including Aboriginal elders, community groups and service providers, child protection partners and Government and non-Government services working with this cohort; providing relationship based, trauma informed, person centred and strengths based case management; designing evaluation framework and participating in State-wide developments for program
- Key Achievements: in first year of operation, 68% of young people successfully restored to family/kin, 15% successfully restored to extended family, new policies and frameworks adopted by the organisation and other funded services.
Community Engagement Manager
Youth Connections North Coast
10.2013 - 11.2016
- Supervise a team of staff and volunteers to deliver a diverse portfolio of youth development programs & projects, with a focus on engaging with Aboriginal young people, families and communities; establishing and managing mentoring, after school and in school support programs; recruiting and supervising volunteers & student placements; collaborating with young people, non Government and Government organisations, business, and private sector; inspiring individuals & communities to celebrate young people, provide opportunities and impact positively in their lives.
Manager Youth Justice Conferencing
Department of Juvenile Justice
02.1998 - 10.2013
- Manage innovative court-diversionary Restorative Justice Scheme for the Far North Coast region including recruiting, training, supervising and supporting 25 contracted Conference Convenors; negotiating referrals with Police and Courts; delivering training on working effectively with young offenders; developing community resources; and promoting the scheme to the public and stakeholders.
Project Manager, Drugs and Community Action Strategy
NSW Premiers Department
01.2000 - 01.2002
- Implement recommendations from NSW Drug Summit concerning community action on drug issues
- Facilitate development of Community Drug Action Teams and Local Drug Action Plans, develop Regional Drugs and Community Action Strategy Situation Analysis and Strategic Plan for mid and far north coast
- Advise Minister on local issues and progress.
Project Officer, Ombudsman’s Inquiry Implementation
Department of Juvenile Justice
01.1996 - 01.1998
- Project manage the implementation of the 239 recommendations of the Ombudsman’s Inquiry into Juvenile Justice Detention Centres
- Facilitate the development of implementation plans with various units of the Department, facilitated workshops with staff on Programs and Behaviour Management Systems for detainees, manage the purchasing of external services including budgeting, policy and program development and tendering process, evaluate and report on progress to the Minister and Ombudsman.
Coordinator
NSW Aboriginal Women’s Legal Resource Centre
01.1994 - 01.1996
- Employed to assist NSW Aboriginal Women’s Legal Resource Centre Management Committee establish a new service funded by Legal Aid Commission
- Developed policies and procedures, consulted with communities, and stakeholders, reported to funding body, recruited staff and mentored an Aboriginal woman to take over the position as Coordinator.
Youth Pilot Project Case Manager, Jet Advisor (Jobs, Education, Training)
Department of Human Services
01.1993 - 01.1995
- Manage the implementation and development of a new and innovative model of income support service delivery to young people involving outreach services
- Provide support, information, guidance and resources to sole parents to participate in employment, education and training
- Develop policies and procedures and training packages for nationwide implementation.
Education
Executive Ready – Women’s Leadership Australia Program -
Cert V - Teaching English as a Second or Other Language -
01.2016
Results Based Accountability Train the Trainer -
01.2013
Diploma in Management -
01.2010
Cert IV Trainer and Assessor -
Ultimo TAFE
01.2010
Bachelor of Social Science -
Southern Cross University
01.2001
Bachelor of Arts -
UNSW
01.1992
Skills
Leadership:
- High-performing Team Leadership (in complex environments)
- Executive leadership in organisational growth and change management
Organisational Development & Management:
- Youth Service System Design & Reform
- Building Operational Excellence
Collaboration & Communication:
- Partnership Development & Collaboration (across sectors)
- Facilitating Innovation & Creativity
Voluntarycommunityactivities
- Board director - Northern Rivers Women's and Children's Service
- Landcare volunteer
- Volunteer Christmas lunches The Winsome Homelessess Service
Timeline
Head of Operations
Human Nature
05.2020 - Current
Program Manager
AIME Mentoring
02.2018 - 05.2020
Homeless Youth Assistance Program Manager
Social Futures
11.2016 - 02.2018
Community Engagement Manager
Youth Connections North Coast
10.2013 - 11.2016
Project Manager, Drugs and Community Action Strategy
NSW Premiers Department
01.2000 - 01.2002
Manager Youth Justice Conferencing
Department of Juvenile Justice
02.1998 - 10.2013
Project Officer, Ombudsman’s Inquiry Implementation
Department of Juvenile Justice
01.1996 - 01.1998
Coordinator
NSW Aboriginal Women’s Legal Resource Centre
01.1994 - 01.1996
Youth Pilot Project Case Manager, Jet Advisor (Jobs, Education, Training)
Department of Human Services
01.1993 - 01.1995
Executive Ready – Women’s Leadership Australia Program -
Cert V - Teaching English as a Second or Other Language -
Results Based Accountability Train the Trainer -
Diploma in Management -
Cert IV Trainer and Assessor -
Ultimo TAFE
Bachelor of Social Science -
Southern Cross University
Bachelor of Arts -
UNSW