Community Development Manager Resume Examples and How to Write
Struggling to secure interviews for Community Development Manager positions despite having strong experience in community engagement and program management? You’re not alone—many passionate community development professionals find it challenging to effectively showcase their ability to lead transformative initiatives, build meaningful partnerships, and deliver measurable social impact in a way that resonates with Australian employers across government, non-profit, and private sectors.
As a Community Development Manager, you’ll be the strategic leader responsible for designing and implementing programs that strengthen communities, address social challenges, and foster sustainable development. This role demands a unique combination of strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, project management, and cultural sensitivity—qualities that must be clearly demonstrated throughout your resume to show your capacity to create positive community change.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through creating an outstanding Community Development Manager resume tailored specifically for the Australian job market. We’ll cover everything from showcasing your expertise in program development and community consultation to highlighting your experience in partnership building, grant management, and measurable community outcomes. Whether you’re transitioning from frontline community work or advancing from coordinator roles, this guide will help you craft a resume that stands out to local councils, state agencies, NGOs, and community organisations across Australia.
The community development sector in Australia plays a vital role in addressing social inequality and building resilient communities. From supporting Department of Social Services initiatives to implementing local council community strengthening programs, skilled Community Development Managers are essential for creating positive social change and improving quality of life for all Australians.
Community Development Manager Resume (Text Version)
David Thompson
Community Development Manager
📞 0447 234 567 | ✉️ [email protected]
🔗 linkedin.com/in/davidthompsoncommdev
📍 Adelaide, SA 5000
PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Strategic Community Development Manager with 9+ years of experience designing and implementing transformative community programs across urban, regional, and remote Australian communities. Proven track record of securing $8.2M in grant funding while leading initiatives that improved community wellbeing outcomes by 65% for over 25,000 residents. Expertise in stakeholder engagement, partnership development, and culturally responsive program design with particular strength in working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Seeking to leverage comprehensive community development leadership and social impact expertise to drive meaningful change and community empowerment for a forward-thinking Australian organisation.
CORE COMPETENCIES
- Strategic Program Development & Implementation • Community Consultation & Engagement • Grant Writing & Funding Management
- Partnership Building & Stakeholder Relations • Team Leadership & Capacity Building • Cultural Competency & Inclusion
- Project Management & Evaluation • Policy Development & Advocacy • Social Impact Measurement
- Budget Management & Financial Oversight • Cross-Sector Collaboration • Change Management
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Senior Community Development Manager
City of Adelaide • Adelaide, SA • February 2020 – Present
- Lead strategic community development portfolio for metropolitan area serving 185,000+ residents, managing team of 8 professionals and $4.2M annual program budget
- Developed and implemented 5-year Community Wellbeing Strategy resulting in 45% improvement in community satisfaction scores and 38% increase in social cohesion metrics
- Secured $2.8M in federal and state grant funding for disadvantaged communities, delivering programs that supported 8,500+ vulnerable residents over 3-year period
- Established innovative partnership model with 25+ local organisations, reducing service duplication by 35% while increasing program reach by 60%
- Led reconciliation action plan implementation, achieving Stretch RAP recognition and 78% improvement in Aboriginal community engagement outcomes
- Managed community response during COVID-19 pandemic, coordinating emergency support services that assisted 3,200+ households in crisis
Community Development Manager
Uniting Communities • Adelaide, SA • June 2017 – January 2020
- Managed integrated community development programs across 6 metropolitan and regional sites, supporting diverse communities including refugee and migrant populations
- Increased program participation rates by 85% through implementation of culturally responsive engagement strategies and community-led program design
- Developed award-winning youth employment program that achieved 73% job placement rate and was recognised by SA Premier’s Awards for Excellence
- Built strategic partnerships with government agencies, resulting in $1.8M additional funding and expansion of services to 4 new locations
- Led community capacity building initiatives that trained 150+ community leaders and established 12 new volunteer-led programs
- Achieved 92% client satisfaction rating while maintaining program delivery within budget across all sites
Senior Community Development Officer
Department of Human Services SA • Adelaide, SA • March 2015 – May 2017
- Coordinated state-wide community strengthening initiatives targeting social disadvantage and family violence prevention across 15 regional communities
- Delivered comprehensive community consultation processes reaching 2,400+ residents and informing $12M investment in community infrastructure
- Developed evidence-based program frameworks that were adopted across 8 other jurisdictions and recognised as national best practice
- Managed cross-agency partnerships involving health, education, and justice departments, improving service coordination for 5,000+ families
- Facilitated community planning processes that resulted in establishment of 6 new community hubs and 40% increase in local service accessibility
EDUCATION
Master of Community Development
Flinders University • Adelaide, SA • 2019
Thesis: “Place-Based Approaches to Community Resilience Building in Australian Regional Communities”
Relevant Coursework: Community Development Theory, Social Policy Analysis, Program Evaluation, Cultural Competency
Bachelor of Social Work
University of South Australia • Adelaide, SA • 2014
Distinction Average • GPA: 6.1/7.0
Major: Community Practice with Indigenous Studies Minor
Field Placement: Aboriginal Family Support Services (400 hours)
CERTIFICATIONS & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
- Certified Practicing Manager (CPM) – Australian Institute of Management (2022)
- Certificate IV in Training and Assessment (2021)
- Advanced Certificate in Grant Writing – Fundraising Institute Australia (2020)
- Cultural Competency in Community Development – NATSIEC (2023)
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
- Board Member, Community Development Network of South Australia – 2021-Present
- Member, Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) – 2014-Present
- Member, International Association for Community Development (IACD) – 2018-Present
AWARDS & RECOGNITION
- SA Premier’s Award for Excellence in Community Development (2023)
- Local Government Excellence Award – Community Engagement Innovation (2022)
- AASW South Australia Social Worker of the Year – Community Development (2020)
- Reconciliation Australia RAP Champion Award (2021)
What is The Best Format for a Community Development Manager Resume?
The reverse chronological format is the most effective choice for Community Development Manager resumes in Australia. This format allows you to showcase your career progression in community-focused roles, demonstrate increasing program responsibility and community impact, and highlight your growing expertise in strategic community development—all critical elements that hiring managers in government, non-profit, and community sectors want to evaluate immediately.
When formatting your Community Development Manager resume, use professional fonts such as Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman in 11-12 point size for body text and 14-16 point for headings. Maintain consistent 1-inch margins on all sides and ensure adequate white space to improve readability—particularly important when community services managers and HR professionals may be reviewing multiple applications for competitive positions.
Always save and submit your resume as a PDF unless the job posting specifically requests otherwise. PDFs preserve your formatting across different devices and operating systems, ensuring your carefully structured community impact narrative remains intact when viewed by potential employers.
Your Community Development Manager resume should include these essential sections:
Header: Include your full name, professional title, phone number, professional email address, LinkedIn profile URL, and city/state. Consider adding relevant credentials (such as social work registration or management qualifications) directly under your name to immediately establish your professional qualifications.
Professional Summary: This critical section should provide a compelling overview of your community development leadership experience, highlighting your expertise in program management, community engagement, partnership development, and measurable social outcomes. Include specific achievements and impact metrics wherever possible.
Experience: Focus on roles that demonstrate your community development management capabilities, emphasising achievements in program leadership, community outcomes, funding success, and stakeholder engagement. Use action verbs and quantifiable results to showcase your community impact.
Education: List your relevant degrees, with particular emphasis on social work, community development, public administration, or related qualifications that support your community leadership expertise.
Other Sections: Include certifications (especially management and community development credentials), professional associations, awards and recognition, and any board positions or community leadership roles that demonstrate your commitment to the sector.
What Experience Should Be on Your Community Development Manager Resume?
Your Community Development Manager resume should prominently feature experience that demonstrates your ability to lead community-focused programs, build meaningful partnerships, and deliver measurable social impact for diverse community groups. Focus on roles that showcase your expertise in program development and evaluation, community consultation and engagement, grant management, team leadership, and working with vulnerable or disadvantaged populations across Australia’s diverse communities.
Highlight experience in strategic planning and implementation, cross-sector collaboration, capacity building, and advocacy for social change. Include specific community contexts you’ve worked in, population groups you’ve served, and funding sources you’ve managed, as these demonstrate your capability to handle the complex stakeholder relationships inherent in community development work. Quantify your achievements with metrics such as community members served, programs developed, funding secured, partnership agreements established, and measurable improvements in community wellbeing outcomes.
Correct Example:
Community Development Manager
Regional Development Australia – Hunter • Newcastle, NSW • 2019-2023
- Led comprehensive community development portfolio across 10 local government areas, managing team of 6 professionals and $3.8M annual program budget
- Developed and implemented regional economic diversification strategy, creating 240+ new employment opportunities and supporting 85 local businesses through targeted capacity building programs
- Secured $4.2M in Commonwealth and State government funding through strategic grant applications, enabling expansion of community services to 15,000+ rural residents
- Established innovative cross-sector partnership model involving government, industry, and community organisations, reducing service gaps by 45% across target communities
- Led community consultation processes for major infrastructure investments, engaging 3,800+ residents and achieving 89% community support for development proposals
- Implemented place-based community resilience program that improved social cohesion scores by 52% and emergency preparedness capacity by 78%
Incorrect Example:
Community Development Manager
Regional Development Australia – Hunter • Newcastle, NSW • 2019-2023
- Managed community programs
- Worked with different communities
- Applied for grants
- Worked with partners
- Talked to community members
- Did some resilience work
Entry-Level Community Development Manager Resume Samples [Experience]
For entry-level Community Development Manager positions, focus on senior community development officer roles, project coordination experience, program management responsibilities, or any experience leading community initiatives or managing smaller-scale programs. Emphasise transferable leadership skills such as stakeholder engagement, program coordination, community consultation, and outcome measurement gained through coordinator or senior practitioner positions.
Correct Example:
Senior Community Development Officer
Ballarat City Council • Ballarat, VIC • 2021-2023
- Led community engagement initiatives for municipality of 110,000+ residents, coordinating cross-departmental programs with $950K annual budget
- Supervised team of 3 community development workers and 15+ volunteers, achieving 96% staff satisfaction and 40% improvement in program delivery efficiency
- Developed comprehensive community needs assessment reaching 1,800+ residents, informing $2.4M investment in community infrastructure and services
- Established innovative youth leadership program that engaged 180+ young people and achieved 78% completion rate with measurable skill development outcomes
- Built strategic partnerships with 18 local organisations, leveraging $320K in additional resources and expanding program reach by 65%
- Implemented evidence-based evaluation framework adopted as best practice across 4 neighbouring councils, improving program accountability and outcomes measurement
Incorrect Example:
Senior Community Development Officer
Ballarat City Council • Ballarat, VIC • 2021-2023
- Worked on community engagement
- Managed some staff and volunteers
- Did community research
- Worked with young people
- Connected with other organisations
- Helped with program evaluation
How to Write the Education Section for your Community Development Manager Resume
The education section is particularly important for Community Development Manager positions, as this field typically requires strong foundational knowledge in community development theory, social work principles, public administration, or related social sciences. Australian employers generally expect Community Development Managers to hold at least a bachelor’s degree in social work, community development, sociology, public health, or related disciplines, with many organisations preferring candidates with postgraduate qualifications in management, community development, or specialised areas such as Indigenous studies or multicultural community work.
Beyond your primary qualification, include any additional credentials that enhance your community development and management capabilities. This might include certificates in grant writing, project management qualifications, cultural competency training, or specialised courses in areas such as trauma-informed practice, community consultation, or program evaluation that demonstrate your commitment to professional excellence and evidence-based practice.
Community Development Manager Resume Example [Education]
EDUCATION
Master of Community Development
Southern Cross University • Lismore, NSW • 2022
Thesis: “Community-Led Approaches to Economic Development in Rural Australian Towns”
Relevant Coursework: Advanced Community Practice, Social Policy and Advocacy, Program Evaluation and Research, Indigenous Community Development
Bachelor of Social Work (Honours)
James Cook University • Townsville, QLD • 2018
First Class Honours • GPA: 6.9/7.0
Major: Community Practice with Rural and Remote Focus
Honours Thesis: “Culturally Responsive Community Development in Remote Aboriginal Communities”
Field Placements: Indigenous Family Support Services (480 hours), Rural Youth Services (480 hours)
Professional Development
- Graduate Certificate in Management • Australian Institute of Management • 2021
- Certificate in Trauma-Informed Community Practice • Australian Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health • 2020
How to Write the Skills Section for your Community Development Manager Resume
The skills section of your Community Development Manager resume should demonstrate both the strategic management capabilities and community development expertise essential for success in leadership roles within the community sector. This section is particularly crucial because it allows you to quickly communicate your proficiency in areas highly valued by employers, such as program management, community engagement, cultural competency, partnership development, and social impact measurement.
Aim to include 16-20 skills that directly relate to the Community Development Manager role, balancing strategic management skills with technical community development competencies. Tailor this section to match the specific requirements mentioned in the job description, ensuring your skills align with the organisation’s community focus while accurately representing your capabilities and experience level.
Community Development Manager Resume Skills (Hard Skills)
- Strategic Program Development and Implementation
- Community Consultation and Engagement Methodologies
- Grant Writing and Funding Acquisition
- Project Management and Program Evaluation
- Partnership Development and Stakeholder Relations
- Budget Management and Financial Oversight
- Social Impact Measurement and Data Analysis
- Policy Development and Advocacy
- Team Leadership and Capacity Building
- Cultural Competency and Inclusive Practice
- Community Assets Mapping and Needs Assessment
- Conflict Resolution and Mediation
- Digital Engagement and Social Media Strategy
- Research and Evidence-Based Practice
- Risk Management and Compliance
Community Development Manager Resume Skills (Soft Skills)
- Collaborative Leadership and Team Building
- Cross-Cultural Communication and Sensitivity
- Empathy and Active Listening
- Strategic Thinking and Vision Development
- Adaptability and Resilience
- Relationship Building and Networking
- Creative Problem-Solving and Innovation
- Emotional Intelligence and Self-Awareness
- Advocacy and Social Justice Orientation
- Time Management and Priority Setting
- Conflict Mediation and Negotiation
- Inspirational Communication and Motivation
How to pick the best Community Development Manager skills:
- Thoroughly analyse the job description to identify specific community development competencies, management requirements, and community contexts mentioned by the employer
- Match your genuine skills to the role requirements, focusing on those where you have demonstrable experience and measurable community outcomes
- Prioritise skills that are most commonly required across Community Development Manager positions, such as program management and community engagement
- Include specialised expertise if relevant to the target position (e.g., Indigenous community development, multicultural communities, youth development, disability services)
- Balance technical community development skills with essential management and leadership competencies
- Consider skills that differentiate you from other candidates, such as bilingual capabilities or specialised therapeutic approaches
Community Development Manager Resume Examples [Skills]
CORE COMPETENCIES
- Strategic Program Management: Developed and implemented 12+ community programs serving 18,000+ residents with 89% participant satisfaction rate
- Grant Funding Excellence: Secured $6.8M in competitive funding over 5 years, achieving 78% success rate across federal, state, and philanthropic applications
- Community Engagement Leadership: Designed and facilitated consultation processes reaching 5,200+ community members with 92% feedback incorporation rate
- Partnership Development: Established 45+ strategic partnerships leveraging $2.3M in additional resources and expanding service reach by 85%
- Team Leadership and Development: Managed high-performing teams of up to 12 professionals, achieving 94% staff retention and 15+ internal promotions
- Cultural Competency: Successfully delivered programs in Aboriginal, multicultural, and CALD communities with culturally responsive approaches and 86% community satisfaction
Should I Add Bonus Sections to My Community Development Manager Resume?
Additional sections can significantly enhance your Community Development Manager resume by showcasing professional leadership, community recognition, and sector contributions that distinguish you as a committed community development professional. These sections are particularly valuable for management-level positions where community credibility, professional standing, and demonstrated commitment to social justice are important factors in hiring decisions and show your capacity to represent the organisation within the broader community sector.
Consider including sections such as Board Positions or Community Leadership Roles to highlight your governance experience and sector contribution. Awards and Recognition demonstrate professional excellence and community acknowledgment, while Volunteer Work shows your personal commitment to community service. Professional Association Leadership indicates your dedication to advancing the community development profession, and Research or Publications demonstrate your contribution to evidence-based practice and sector knowledge.
Community Development Manager Resume Examples [Other Sections]
Right Example:
COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP & GOVERNANCE
- Board Chair, Regional Community Housing Organisation – 2022-Present (Managing $8.5M housing portfolio)
- Advisory Committee Member, State Government Multicultural Affairs – 2021-Present
- Steering Committee Chair, National Community Development Conference – 2020-2022
AWARDS & PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION
- Australian Award for Excellence in Community Development – National Winner (2023)
- Queensland Premier’s Award for Outstanding Community Service (2022)
- AASW Professional Excellence Award – Community Development Practice (2021)
- Local Government Association Community Leadership Award (2020)
RESEARCH & PUBLICATIONS
- “Place-Based Community Development in Rural Australia” – Australian Journal of Social Issues (2023)
- “Cultural Competency in Community Practice” – Community Development Journal Australia (2022)
- Co-author: “Best Practice Guidelines for Community Consultation” – Community Development Network (2021)
VOLUNTEER LEADERSHIP
- Volunteer Coordinator, Local Emergency Relief Network – 2018-Present (600+ volunteer hours annually)
- Mentor, Emerging Community Leaders Program – Community Sector Workforce Development – 2019-Present
- Pro-bono Consultant, Small Community Organisations Capacity Building Initiative – 2020-Present
Wrong Example:
OTHER ACTIVITIES
- Board member of some organisations
- Won some community awards
- Wrote some articles
- Do volunteer work
Additional elements you might consider include conference presentations, community consultation facilitation, policy submissions, mentoring roles, or involvement in sector advocacy initiatives that demonstrate your leadership within the community development profession and commitment to advancing social change through evidence-based practice.
How to write a Community Development Manager Resume Objective or Resume Summary
A compelling resume summary is essential for Community Development Manager positions because it immediately communicates your leadership capability, community development expertise, and track record of delivering meaningful social impact. Your summary should be 3-4 sentences that highlight your years of management experience, specific achievements in community program leadership and social outcomes, population groups or community contexts you’ve worked with, and key capabilities that align with the target opportunity.
Focus on quantifiable community impact achievements such as programs developed, communities served, funding secured, partnerships established, or measurable improvements in community wellbeing indicators. Include relevant population or geographical expertise and mention specific community development competencies that match the employer’s focus. Conclude with a forward-looking statement that expresses your professional commitment and the community impact you can deliver.
- Start with your professional title and years of management experience in community development or related community-focused leadership roles
- Highlight your most significant community impact achievements with specific metrics and social outcomes
- Include relevant community contexts, population groups served, and geographic experience
- Mention key management competencies, professional qualifications, and community development specialisations
- Conclude with your commitment to community empowerment and how you can contribute to positive social change
Community Development Manager Resume Summary Examples
Right Example:
Strategic Community Development Manager with 11+ years of progressive leadership experience managing transformative community programs across urban, regional, and remote Australian communities. Proven track record of securing $12.5M in competitive funding while leading initiatives that improved community wellbeing outcomes by 73% for over 45,000 residents including Indigenous, multicultural, and disadvantaged populations. Expert in place-based community development, cross-sector partnership building, and culturally responsive program design with Master of Community Development and registered social work qualifications. Seeking to leverage comprehensive community development leadership and social innovation expertise to drive meaningful community empowerment and sustainable social change for a values-aligned Australian organisation.
Wrong Example:
Community Development Manager with experience working in different communities. Good at managing programs and working with people from diverse backgrounds. Have secured some funding and worked on various community projects. Looking for new opportunities to help communities and make a positive difference.
For entry-level Community Development Manager positions, focus on your senior practitioner experience, project leadership responsibilities, community engagement expertise, and program coordination successes that demonstrate your readiness for management responsibilities. Emphasise your understanding of community development principles, any supervisory experience, and your track record of delivering community outcomes that show management potential.
Entry-Level Community Development Manager Resume Summary Examples
Right Example:
Results-driven Senior Community Development Officer with 7+ years of progressive experience including 3 years coordinating multi-site programs and leading community engagement initiatives serving 8,500+ diverse residents. Demonstrated management capability through supervision of project teams, coordination of $1.2M annual programs, and delivery of evidence-based community interventions achieving 67% improvement in participant outcomes. Strong foundation in participatory community development, stakeholder engagement, and program evaluation with Master of Social Work and advanced training in cultural competency. Eager to transition program coordination expertise and community development passion into Community Development Manager role driving social innovation and community empowerment.
Wrong Example:
Community development worker with some leadership experience looking to move into management. Have worked on community programs and coordinated some projects. Interested in taking on more responsibility and helping communities with their development needs. Ready to learn and grow in a management position.
How to Update Your LinkedIn Profile When Updating Your Community Development Manager Resume
Your LinkedIn profile serves as a powerful complement to your Community Development Manager resume, particularly crucial for senior-level positions where professional networks, sector relationships, and community credibility significantly influence career opportunities. When updating your resume, ensure your LinkedIn profile reflects the same community impact narrative while leveraging the platform’s unique features to demonstrate thought leadership, showcase program outcomes, and build meaningful connections within Australia’s community development and social services sectors.
LinkedIn provides exceptional opportunities to expand on your community development leadership beyond resume constraints, allowing you to share sector insights, publish community development content, and engage in professional discussions that position you as an experienced community leader and advocate for social change and community empowerment.
LinkedIn Headline Optimisation for Community Development Managers
Your LinkedIn headline is critical professional real estate that should immediately convey your management experience, community development expertise, and social impact focus. Unlike your resume’s professional summary, your LinkedIn headline should be concise yet compelling, incorporating relevant keywords that recruiters and senior hiring managers search for when seeking Community Development Managers in Australia.
Effective LinkedIn Headlines:
- “Community Development Manager | Social Impact Leader | Grant Funding Specialist | Building Stronger Communities | Adelaide”
- “Senior Community Development Manager | Indigenous Community Specialist | Partnership Builder | Driving Social Change”
- “Community Development Manager | Program Evaluation Expert | Cultural Competency Champion | Creating Sustainable Community Solutions”
Ineffective LinkedIn Headlines:
- “Community Development Manager at [Organisation Name]”
- “Looking for community development management opportunities”
- “Social worker with community development experience”
LinkedIn Summary vs Resume Summary: Key Differences
While your resume summary should be achievement-focused and metrics-driven, your LinkedIn summary can be more narrative and values-oriented, allowing you to tell your community development story in a way that demonstrates your passion for social justice and community empowerment. Your LinkedIn summary should be 4-6 paragraphs that provide context around your community development philosophy, leadership approach, and social impact expertise that makes you valuable to Australian organisations committed to community wellbeing and social change.
In the Australian community development sector, LinkedIn summaries that demonstrate your understanding of local community challenges, cultural diversity, and social policy contexts tend to resonate well with sector leaders and hiring managers who value lived experience and genuine commitment to community empowerment.
Showcasing Community Development Manager Experience on LinkedIn
LinkedIn’s experience section allows you to significantly expand on your resume achievements, providing detailed context about your community development approach, program innovations, and community partnerships. You can also upload relevant media such as community success stories (ensuring privacy compliance), program evaluation reports, or community recognition that support your impact claims and demonstrate the quality of your community work.
Use LinkedIn’s project showcase feature to highlight specific community programs you’ve developed, social issues you’ve addressed, or innovative partnerships you’ve created. This visual element can make your profile more engaging and provide concrete examples of your Community Development Manager capabilities to potential employers and sector colleagues.
LinkedIn Skills and Endorsements for Community Development Managers
Strategically select up to 50 skills that accurately represent your Community Development Manager competencies, prioritising those most commonly searched by sector recruiters and hiring managers. Focus on skills like “Community Development,” “Program Management,” “Grant Writing,” “Stakeholder Engagement,” “Social Impact,” “Partnership Development,” and specific population or issue expertise that differentiates your experience.
Actively seek endorsements from community partners, colleagues, supervisors, and community members (where appropriate), and reciprocate by endorsing others in your professional network. Consider taking LinkedIn’s skill assessments for relevant management competencies, as passing these assessments can add credibility to your community leadership profile and improve your visibility in sector searches.
LinkedIn Profile Tips for Australian Community Development Managers
Optimise your LinkedIn profile for the Australian community sector by mentioning experience with major community organisations, government departments, or sector leadership roles you’ve held. Join and actively participate in Australian community development groups such as “Community Development Network Australia,” “Australian Association of Social Workers,” and “Community Sector Workforce Development” to demonstrate your engagement with the professional community.
Regularly publish thought leadership content related to community development trends, social policy insights, and community success stories, positioning yourself as an experienced leader who contributes to sector knowledge and best practice. This content activity increases your sector visibility and demonstrates strategic thinking to potential employers and community sector leaders throughout Australia.
Creating an effective Community Development Manager resume requires careful attention to demonstrating leadership capability while showcasing your community development expertise and measurable social impact. By following the comprehensive guidelines in this guide, you’ll be well-equipped to create a resume that opens doors to senior opportunities with local councils, state government agencies, non-profit organisations, and community-focused businesses across Australia.
Remember that your resume serves as your first community communication with potential employers—it should exemplify the same strategic thinking, community-centred approach, and outcomes-focused methodology that you would bring to managing community development functions. Take the time to tailor each application to the specific organisation and community context, highlighting the most relevant aspects of your community development experience and demonstrating your understanding of the employer’s community challenges and social impact opportunities.
To complete your senior-level application package, don’t forget to craft a compelling cover letter that complements your resume and provides additional context about your community development philosophy and specific interest in the target opportunity. For inspiration and examples of how Community Development Manager positions are currently presented to potential candidates, review job advertisements on Seek, LinkedIn Jobs, and community sector job boards such as Ethical Jobs to understand current market demands and expectations for community development leadership roles in Australia’s diverse community sector.
