Job Description
Inspire future generations. Lead with cultural capability and purpose. Strengthen pathways to higher education for Indigenous students across NSW.
Walanga Muru is seeking an experienced and community-focused Indigenous Pathways Coordinator to lead and strengthen the University's Indigenous outreach and recruitment initiatives.
Primary Detail
* Salary Package: From $111,643 (HEW 7) per annum, plus 17% superannuation and annual leave loading
* Continuing, full-time position
* Macquarie University, Wallumattagal Campus, North Ryde
This is an identified role and is open only to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander applicants. As part of the recruitment process, we will ask you to provide documentation to confirm your Aboriginality. Your cultural capability will also be assessed through the recruitment process. Aboriginality and/or Torres Strait Islander identity is a genuine occupational qualification for this position and is authorised under section 14(d) of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 (NSW).
About the Role
Reporting to the Director, Walanga Muru, the Indigenous Pathways Coordinator is the senior member of the Pathways team and provides leadership, guidance and mentoring to ensure high-quality, culturally grounded program delivery. The role contributes to improving the University's Indigenous recruitment and outreach activities, building aspiration, strengthening community connections, and encouraging Indigenous students to progress to university.
Key Responsibilities
* Researching and identifying Indigenous cohorts across secondary and vocational education institutions and recommending opportunities for new partnerships and affiliations that strengthen engagement pathways
* Analysing and reporting on pre‐enrolment and national outreach data to inform strategic decisions about effective Indigenous outreach activities and entry options
* Planning, developing, and delivering Indigenous outreach and recruitment initiatives aligned with the Indigenous Strategy and tailored to identified educational institutions and communities
* Providing guidance, support, and oversight to Pathways team staff, ensuring high-quality delivery of programs and accurate reporting of activities
* Building aspiration, capacity, and awareness across NSW at student, school, and community levels to encourage Indigenous students to progress to university
* Developing comprehensive information packages on the university experience and available support offered by Macquarie University to Indigenous students, families, and communities
* Managing the budget for key programs including Year 10 and Year 11 & 12 camps, Critical Thinking Unit fees, and all costs related to outreach activities
About Walanga Muru
Walanga Muru is Macquarie University's Indigenous Student Success Centre, within the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) portfolio. It is a culturally safe environment that leads the development and implementation of the University's Indigenous engagement and advancement strategies. Working in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, Walanga Muru identifies and addresses barriers to education and employment through outreach, policy development, cultural education and student support initiatives. The team plays a central role in strengthening Indigenous access, participation and success at Macquarie University.
About You (Selection Criteria)
Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person who brings their cultural capability and lived experience to this role to confidently work across diverse Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community contexts. You build strong relationships, think strategically, and apply evidence-informed approaches to outreach and engagement.
You Will Demonstrate
* A Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (e.g., Sociology, Communications, Education) or an equivalent combination of education and experience
* Demonstrated experience building and maintaining strong relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and education stakeholders
* Experience designing, delivering and evaluating programs within education or community settings
* Experience analysing and reporting on data to inform judgement-based decision-making
* Demonstrated leadership capability, including mentoring staff and guiding program delivery
* Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to adapt across diverse audiences and cultural contexts
* Knowledge of the secondary and tertiary education sectors and relevant government policies relating to Indigenous education
Role-Specific Requirements
* Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander identity (identified position)
* Valid Working with Children Check (or willingness to obtain one prior to commencement)
* Qualification Verification Check and Criminal History Check
* Current NSW driver's licence
* Capacity for domestic travel
* Flexibility to work varying hours as required by business demands
How to Apply
If you are driven, relationship-focused and passionate about creating meaningful and potentially life-changing educational opportunities for Indigenous students, we encourage you to apply.
To be considered for this position, please apply online and attach:
* Evidence of your Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander identity
* Your resume
* A separate cover letter and document addressing the selection criteria
* Applicants will be required to provide documentation confirming Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander identity in accordance with university requirements for identified positions.
Applications close: Sunday 8 March 2026 at 11:59 p.m. (AEDT). We reserve the right to progress or decline an application prior to the application closing date.
For enquiries, or a confidential conversation about the role please contact Colleen Mitchell, Director Walanga Muru at colleen.mitchell@mq.edu.au.
Why Join Us?
Macquarie is a university engaged with the real and often complex problems and opportunities that define our lives. Since our foundation in 1964, we have aspired to be a different type of university. Over the years, we have grown to become the centre of a vibrant local and global community. We rank amongst the top employers in the Australian Workplace Employers Index, having recently earned a five‐star rating in the QS World Rankings with the highest rating for employability. Take a look at the fabulous staff benefits on offer when you work at Macquarie University.
* Flexible, hybrid work arrangements
* 17% Superannuation
* Subsidised onsite parking options
* Extensive training and professional development programmes
* Onsite childcare facilities to support working parents
* Onsite vacation care during school holidays
* Discounted health insurance
* Subsidised membership at our Sport & Aquatic Centre
* Access to an Employee Assistance Program for free and confidential support
* Convenient onsite GP, imaging, and physiotherapy clinics
Pre‐Employment Checks
Macquarie University cultivates a workplace defined by safety, ethical conduct, and strong integrity. Prior to completion of an offer of employment, preferred candidates will be required to participate in a combination of pre‐employment checks relevant to the role they have applied for. Your employment is conditional upon the completion and maintenance of all role‐required pre‐employment or background checks in a manner satisfactory to the University.
If you're already part of the Macquarie Group (MQ University, U@MQ, MQ Health, MGSM), you'll need to apply through your employee Workday account. To apply for this job: Login to Workday and go to the Careers App > Find Jobs.
A Place Where You Belong
At Macquarie, we believe diversity makes us stronger, inclusion drives our success, and belonging inspires us to do our best work. We are proud to foster a community where different backgrounds, identities, and experiences are valued, and where our people are empowered to thrive through supportive leadership, shared responsibility, and a deep commitment to genuine care and respect for our community. Find out more about our vision for a truly inclusive workplace in our Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging Framework.
Flexible Work
At Macquarie, we believe by providing flexibility in when, where and how work is done, we can support our staff to manage their personal commitments, while optimising their work performance and contributions to the University. See how we lead in flexible work to enable an outcome focused and inclusive workplace. To learn more about our culture and hiring process, visit our Jobs at Macquarie page.
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