Continuing, Full Time Appointment Professional Employee Level 8 Annual salary $108,349 – $122,491 pa + 17% superannuation and 6 weeks annual leave Casuarina Campus | Larrakia Country
Charles Darwin University (CDU) is a modern, multi‑campus, dual‑sector institution with a focus on learning, teaching, research and engagement for a local, national and global reach. The University strives to be Australia's most connected university by being courageous and making a difference in the Northern Territory, Australia and beyond (CDU Strategic Plan 2021‑2026). The Deputy Vice‑Chancellor First Nations Leadership (DVCFNL) office is an Australian First Nations‑led portfolio which plays a critical role in driving the University's strategic goals and includes the First Nations Students and Engagement (FNSE) team who support existing and prospective First Nations students in both Vocational Education and Training, and Higher Education. The portfolio is overseen by the Director First Nations Leadership and also includes Strategy and Policy.
About the Position
The First Nations Leadership, Executive Officer plays a key role in supporting cultural governance within the portfolio and CDU community. This includes ensuring that decision‑making, compliance, and strategic initiatives are informed by First Nations cultural protocols, values and leadership practices.
This position provides high‑level administrative support and manages key strategic projects on behalf of the DVCFNL, including preparation for various First Nations Governance committee meetings; preparation of key documents, including executive reports and discussion papers; and facilitating communication between the DVCFNL and the internal and external stakeholders of the First Nations Leadership portfolio.
The Executive Officer also works closely with the senior leadership of the university, including Executives, Academic leaders, Directors, Managers and other staff across the University to exchange information and provide advice on strategic projects and initiatives. This includes ensuring that First Nations perspectives, protocols, and priorities are embedded in decision‑making processes and institutional strategies.
Externally, the Executive Officer liaises with Government agencies, University partners and consultants and businesses, First Nations peak bodies and communities – especially across the Northern Territory.
This role also coordinates the planning and delivery of high‑profile First Nations events, including CDU's presence at Garma Festival and coordination of the Vincent Lingiari Memorial Lecture, ensuring cultural integrity and alignment with CDU's strategic priorities.
About You
To be successful, you will require:
* You must identify as an Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person with demonstrated knowledge and understanding of First Nations peoples and ability to communicate sensitively and effectively with diverse First Nations peoples.
* Proven ability to develop and maintain culturally appropriate reporting mechanisms that reflect both Western governance standards and First Nations expectations of transparency and accountability.
* Support culturally informed decision‑making by ensuring that decisions made within the portfolio reflect First Nations values, protocols and community priorities, particularly in relation to First Nation student success, engagement and strategic initiatives.
* Completion of a relevant tertiary qualification and/or subsequent experience in an executive support role and willingness to undertake further training or study as required to maintain up to date skills for executive support.
* Demonstrated capacity to contribute to policy development through a First Nations lens, including experience in research, analysis, consultation, and the integration of First Nations cultural governance principles into institutional frameworks.
* Demonstrated ability to contribute and provide support to the work of a senior Executive within a complex organisational environment, including a capacity to establish work priorities and accept responsibility and be self‑managing.
* Demonstrated high‑level analytical, conceptual, and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to apply First Nations perspectives to complex issues. This includes developing culturally responsive policies, identifying systemic barriers, and proposing innovative solutions that reflect First Nations values and governance principles.
* High‑level written communication skills, including experience in preparing culturally appropriate submissions, reports, briefing papers, and speeches that reflect First Nations priorities and meet both internal and external stakeholder expectations, often within tight timeframes.
* Highly developed interpersonal and consultative skills, with a proven ability to engage respectfully and effectively with First Nations communities, peak bodies, and governance groups. This includes the ability to communicate and negotiate across diverse cultural contexts within the University and externally, ensuring First Nations voices are central to decision‑making.
* Commitment to the University's values.
Appointment is contingent upon receipt of a satisfactory National Criminal History check, NT Working with Children clearance and ability to travel to regional and remote locations.
Charles Darwin University considers that being of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent is a genuine criterion for this role under relevant Anti‑discrimination legislation.
Remuneration
Appointment to this role will be at Professional Employee Level 8. The base salary will be in the range of $108,349 – $122,491 per annum. The total remuneration package will be in the range of $126,768 – $143,314 per annum, including 17% superannuation.
Access Full Position Description
To view the full position description, please click the Apply link which will direct you to our CDU job site, then select Job Attachments.
What's in it for you?
* An employer who values your contribution to building a bigger, better and stronger University
* Work with a University committed to changing people's lives for the better through training, education, and research
* Opportunities for professional development, paid study and career progression
* An enviable lifestyle in the spectacular Northern Territory
* 17% superannuation
* Up to six weeks of paid annual leave
* Up to 26 weeks of paid parental leave (primary caregiver), in addition to government payments (eligibility criteria apply)
* Recognition of prior service with another Australian university / NT Government for Long Service Leave (recognition applied to qualifying period only)
* Ability to negotiate transfer of leave entitlements under the Public Employment (Mobility) Act 1989
* Free on‑campus parking in designated areas
* Employee Assistance Program
* Salary Packaging opportunities
* Access to over 5,000 courses via LinkedIn learning corporate membership
How to Apply
All applications must be received online via the 'apply' button and should include your resume, a cover letter outlining your interest in the role and relevant skills and experience, and a separate document addressing the selection criteria of the role.
For a confidential discussion about the position please contact Lesleigh Matheson on +61 or email ***************@cdu.edu.au
Do you need support?
CDU endeavours to establish and maintain effective systems and processes that support a flexible and inclusive workplace culture. Adjustments can be made to support you throughout the application and selection process, as well as during employment, in line with the University's Workplace Adjustment Policy and Procedure. For confidential discussions, reasonable adjustment requests, or further information on workplace inclusion and policies, please contact People Services on ***or **************@cdu.edu.au.
Work Health and Safety
CDU is committed to providing a physical and psychological safe working environment. Confidential support can also be provided to employees who may be experiencing domestic, family or sexual violence outside the workplace.
Diversity and Inclusion
At CDU, we actively celebrate our diversity and believe that our differences will make CDU the most connected University in Australia. We are committed to maintaining a culture where every member of our University community feels respected, safe, encouraged to speak up and supported in achieving their professional goals, and that they truly belong. Applications from First Nations people, women at all levels, culturally and racially marginalised people, people with disability, neurotypical and neuro‑diverse people, LGBTQIA+ people, people with family and caring responsibilities and people at all stages of their careers are welcomed.
You make CDU. And we want you to be exactly who you are.
Applications Close: Sunday 30th November 2025
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