Research & Evaluation Manager

Family Life – Building connection, safety and wellbeing. Together.

• Work locally in the Bayside area and make a difference within our community


• Enjoy flexible work options and a great team culture


• Full-time or Part-time (0.8 FTE), Permanent opportunity


• SCHADS Level 8 + Generous Salary Packaging + Superannuation
  

Family Life is a recognised Employer of Choice. Work with us and be part of our supportive, people-focused culture.

The Opportunity

The Research & Evaluation Manager is a permanent full-time or part-time (0.8 FTE) role based across Family Life's Sandringham, Frankston and Dandenong sites on Bunurong Land. The role provides strategic leadership, organisational oversight and specialist expertise in research, evaluation, outcomes measurement, reporting and organisational learning to strengthen Family Life's evidence-informed decision-making, organisational performance and impact.

Situated within the Clinical Practice, Evidence & Quality portfolio, the Research, Outcomes Measurement and Evaluation (ROME) team plays a critical role in strengthening Family Life's ability to deliver evidence-informed, impactful and equitable services. Working across all service areas, community activation and place-based initiatives, social enterprise and volunteering activities, the team partners with leaders and practitioners to embed data-informed decision-making, continuous improvement and organisational learning into everyday practice.

This is a unique opportunity for an experienced research, evaluation or impact leader who enjoys balancing strategic influence with hands-on delivery. Reporting to the Director Clinical Practice, Evidence & Quality, you will lead Family Life's organisation-wide Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) strategy, guide organisational performance and impact reporting, and help shape the future direction of services through evidence, insight and innovation.

Key Responsibility Areas

• Lead the development, implementation and continuous improvement of Family Life's organisation-wide Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) strategy.


• Provide strategic advice to Executive, Board and senior leaders on organisational performance, outcomes, impact and evidence-informed decision-making.


• Lead organisation-wide approaches to outcomes measurement, performance monitoring and impact reporting.


• Design, deliver and oversee research, evaluation and performance measurement activities across the organisation.


• Lead high-priority evaluation and applied research projects that inform service improvement, innovation and strategic investment decisions.


• Build organisational capability in evaluation, outcomes measurement and data literacy through coaching, consultation and leadership.


• Lead and develop a high-performing specialist team, fostering collaboration, accountability and continuous improvement.


• Develop strategic partnerships with research institutions, funders and sector stakeholders, representing Family Life as a leader in evaluation and applied research.

Our Ideal Candidate at Family Life

Growth Mindset – You are committed to continuous improvement, embrace innovation and view challenges as opportunities to learn and grow.

Curiosity – You naturally seek to understand the "why", explore evidence and pursue new knowledge and insights.

Proactivity – You are collaborative, solutions-focused and willing to step forward to support others and drive positive change.

You will also bring:

• Demonstrated experience leading organisation-wide evaluation, impact or performance frameworks and influencing strategic decision-making through evidence and insights.


• Advanced expertise in qualitative and quantitative research and evaluation methodologies, including the ability to design and deliver complex evaluations and translate findings into practical action.


• Proven ability to balance strategic leadership with operational delivery while managing competing priorities in a complex environment.


• Strong stakeholder engagement, partnership and influencing skills across all levels of an organisation.


• Experience leading and developing specialist teams and building capability in others.


• A postgraduate qualification (or equivalent experience) in social sciences, evaluation, research or a related field.


• Experience in child and family services, place-based initiatives and/or innovation and pilot projects will be highly regarded.

Who We Are

At Family Life, we believe every child deserves to thrive in a safe and healthy family environment. Family Life is a specialist family services provider that has worked with children, families and communities for more than 50 years. Our vision is to work with clients and partners to create capable communities, strong families and thriving children.

We are known for our innovation and whole-of-community collective impact approach. Our teams are committed to transforming the lives of our clients and communities to build resilience and healthy relationships. We are proudly purpose-driven, independent and not for profit.

Working at Family Life – More Than Just a Job

It's the feeling of knowing your work contributes to making the community in which you live a better place and working alongside others who share that passion.

Additionally, you will have access to:

• Flexible work options and a great team culture.


• Salary packaging (receive up to an extra $18,500 in tax-free pay per year).


• Paid Wellbeing Leave.


• Paid Study Leave.


• Additional Paid Leave during end-of-year closedown.


• Purchased Annual Leave Scheme.


• Rostered Day Off Scheme for eligible employees.


• Employee Assistance Program.

How to Apply

A Position Description can be found on the Family Life Careers page.

For further information regarding the position please contact Tony Johannsen, Director Clinical Practice, Evidence & Quality on (03) 8599 5433.

Applications close: Tuesday 21 July 2026

We will be reviewing applications as they are received, therefore this role may close sooner if we find the right candidate. Please apply now to ensure you do not miss out.

All offers of employment are subject to the Family Life Safety Screening process, including a Working with Children Check and Police Records Check.

Family Life values diversity and welcomes applicants who meet the position criteria, irrespective of race and ethnicity, colour, age, gender, gender identity, disability, religion and sexual orientation.

Family Life is a trauma informed organisation and recognises the unique skills, contributions and insights that come from lived experience.

Family Life is a child safe organisation. We value, respect and listen to children and young people. We are committed to the safety of all children and young people and do not tolerate neglect, mistreatment or abuse of any kind.