Ngunnawal, Gamilaraay Man - Senior Recruitment Officer, Empowering Our First Nations to rise, thrive and walking with passion and pride in the…
Director, First Peoples
Full time, attracting a competitive market salary
Sydney or Melbourne location
This opportunity is only available to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people.
About the organisation
Australian Catholic University (ACU) is a national public university with a strong mission focus and a presence across seven campuses in Australia. Guided by its Catholic identity and values, ACU is committed to the pursuit of knowledge, truth, and service of the common good.
ACU has a proud history of supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and communities through its network of Indigenous Higher Education Units (IHEUs). The university is now entering an exciting new phase to strengthen and align these services nationally while maintaining strong local connections to community.
You don't need to be Catholic to join ACU, but you must be able to work within and respect a values-based, Catholic institutional context.
About the role
The Director, First Peoples provides national leadership across ACU's seven campuses, ensuring consistent, high-quality, and culturally safe education and support services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.
Reporting to the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous), this role leads the activation and alignment of four Indigenous Higher Education Units, managing a growing national team and directly contributing to student success, community engagement, and reconciliation outcomes.
This is a hands‑on leadership position that combines strategic direction, community partnership, and on‑the‑ground influence. The Director will champion student experience, oversee government funding and compliance, and build relationships with Catholic, government, and community partners to strengthen ACU's national Indigenous education footprint.
To receive the Candidate Information Package, please contact Pipeline Talent via:
About you
You bring culturally grounded leadership and a demonstrated ability to design and deliver strategic frameworks that drive organisational impact. You bring a deep understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, communities, and education pathways, along with experience leading teams and driving outcomes across complex, multi‑site environments.
You will have experience working in education, training, or community sectors, with strong skills in governance, stakeholder engagement, and program delivery. You are an authentic communicator who builds trust, leads with integrity, and aligns naturally with mission‑based values.
Selection Criteria
* Extensive experience in program/project planning, management and reporting, and strategic planning for large‑scale initiatives within a complex environment.
* Demonstrated high‑level success in leadership capability to inspire, coach, and develop teams, driving organisational performance and results.
* Proven communication skills, building respectful and reciprocal relationships with all stakeholders in diverse environments.
* Demonstrated evidence in providing accurate and comprehensive reporting to multiple stakeholders, coupled with impactful delivery of presentations and evidence‑based communication to measure and promote organisational performance.
* Proven experience in the ongoing evaluation and improvement of programs and outcomes, as well as the ability to identify innovative opportunities.
* Proven experience in managing operations in line with relevant policies, legislation and procedures.
What we can offer you
* A values‑led organisation committed to education, equity, and the common good.
* Five‑year, fixed‑term contract with relocation support available.
* Flexible working arrangements and hybrid options.
* Opportunities for national leadership, professional growth, and impact across ACU's campuses.
* The chance to lead meaningful change in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education at a national level.
How to apply
Your application should include:
* A current resume.
* A cover letter responding to the selection criteria and outlining your suitability for the position.
Applications are to be submitted via the Pipeline Talent website at:
Applications close 11:59pm Monday 24th of November 2025.
How to get more information
For further information on the position, please contact the team at Pipeline Talent.
Richard Allan
Senior Recruitment Consultant
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