Associate Director, Buranga Centre

- Indigenous Services | UniSC Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs
- Level 10, $143,875 p.a., plus up to 17% employer superannuation
- Full‑time, ongoing appointment

The Opportunity

The Buranga Centre at UniSC is a vibrant and culturally rich space dedicated to supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students across all campuses. The Centre provides a safe, inclusive, and welcoming environment that promotes student wellbeing, academic success, and cultural competency. The Buranga Centre plays a crucial role in fostering strong connections between the university and Indigenous communities, delivering programs and services that empower students and celebrate Indigenous identity, knowledge, and culture.

As Associate Director, you will lead operations and strategic growth, delivering culturally safe and innovative services that support Indigenous student access, retention, and success. Working closely with the Pro Vice‑Chancellor, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Strategy, academic schools, and community partners, you will embed Indigenous perspectives across the University and drive initiatives that promote wellbeing, academic achievement, and a strong sense of belonging. This role requires a strategic, values‑driven leader who can influence policy, address barriers to engagement, and champion a culture of inclusion while strengthening relationships with Indigenous communities to advance UniSC’s commitment to reconciliation and Indigenous futures.

The University of the Sunshine Coast considers that being Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander is a genuine occupational requirement for this position under s25 of the Anti‑Discrimination Act 1991 (Qld) and the filling of this position constitutes a special/equal opportunity measure under section 8(1) of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth).

The position is therefore only open to Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people.

For more information, please visit us online: Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander Engagement

You will

- lead the Buranga Centre with strategic insight and operational excellence, ensuring services align with the Indigenous Student Success Program and UniSC’s strategic plan;
- champion a culture of inclusion, safety, and belonging for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and staff across all campuses;
- manage the Centre’s resources, budget, and staff to deliver impactful programs that support Indigenous student recruitment, retention, and academic and pastoral success;
- develop and implement programs, initiatives, and partnerships that foster community engagement and positive Indigenous student experiences;
- advise senior university leadership and governance bodies as a trusted expert on Indigenous student services and engagement;
- navigate complex challenges and lead change to continuously improve the quality, accessibility, and effectiveness of services for Indigenous students; and
- represent UniSC in Indigenous networks and forums, strengthening relationships with Indigenous communities, government agencies, and partner organisations.

About you

You are a collaborative, values‑led leader who recognises that fostering Indigenous student success requires approaches that are culturally grounded, respectful, and go beyond conventional methods. You bring a genuine commitment to kindness, inclusion, and equity, fostering a culture where people feel safe to be vulnerable, take risks, and grow. You lead with integrity and humility, recognising that leadership is about moving everyone forward together, never through authoritarianism but through open dialogue, transparency, and respectful challenge when necessary. Your approach is personable and approachable, capable of delivering difficult messages with empathy and creating genuine connections across diverse teams and stakeholders.

With meaningful experience in higher education, government, or related sectors, you understand the complexities of university structures, funding frameworks, and regulatory environments. You have a strong grasp of student engagement strategies that are authentic, and outcomes focused. You thrive in collaborative environments, balancing strategic vision with operational pragmatism and are motivated by the opportunity to make a tangible difference in Indigenous student experiences. This role requires someone ready to shake up the status quo, implement clear, measurable success metrics, and contribute to the University’s broader mission through transparent and inclusive leadership.

You will possess:

- A relevant degree with substantial experience in Indigenous student services, higher education, government, or related sectors, with strong management capability;
- Demonstrated expertise in understanding and navigating the cultural, social, and political complexities affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities, with a collaborative and values‑driven approach;
- Exceptional interpersonal, communication, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills, with the ability to engage effectively and respectfully in Indigenous environments and across diverse stakeholders;
- Proven experience in developing and implementing strategic initiatives, policies, and procedures that enhance Indigenous student engagement, wellbeing, and success;
- Ability to work autonomously with sound judgment, transparency, and influence at senior leadership levels within the university and with external partners.; and
- Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander identity, meeting the genuine occupational requirement as per the Anti‑Discrimination Act 1991.

UniSC is an equal opportunity employer, committed to diversity and inclusion. We encourage applications from all backgrounds, including those with disabilities, women in STEM, First Nations Peoples, and individuals of diverse cultures, genders, abilities, and experiences. We value achievement relative to opportunity and encourage your commentary on your achievements in this context. For additional support during the application process, please contact us at unisc‑careers@usc.edu.au or call +61 7 5430 2830.

Position Description: Associate Director, Buranga Centre (Indigenous Services)

UniSC values a diverse and talented workforce and invites applications from candidates who already have legal work rights in Australia.

UniSC does not accept unsolicited applications. For agency inquiries, contact unisc‑careers@usc.edu.au.

All applications must be lodged through our website.

Applications for this position close midnight, Monday 20 October 2025.

Your completed application must include:

- a resume, and a response to selection criteria. Noting that within the application form, we will request a statement addressing each of the selection criteria contained within the position description.

Further information regarding how to prepare your application is available on our website: Join our team

We would love the opportunity to get to know you better, but we know it works both ways. To get to know a little more about us, visit us at Welcome to UniSC and LinkedIn Life

Have questions or want to know more? For a confidential discussion, please contact:

Kristie Husk
Talent Acquisition Manager
Phone: 0418 884 610
Email: khusk@usc.edu.au

Discover UniSC

We're all about doing work that matters, connecting with great people, and being part of an incredible journey. We’re not the biggest university. But we’re growing every day, and doing big things. Like ground‑breaking research, championing sustainability, producing gold‑winning athletes and award‑winning alumni.

We're one of the fastest growing universities in Australia, growing to over 2,000 people across 5 campuses in South East Queensland and a growing footprint in major capital cities.

Teaching excellence is at the heart of what we do, and our commitment to sustainability is integrated into our teaching, research, and daily operations. Our research tackles the most pressing challenges of our time, with 13 research fields ranked well above world standard, characterised by evidence of outstanding performance according to the Excellence Research for Australia Rankings. At UniSC you will have the opportunity to contribute to the educational landscape for future generations.

We foster a collaborative and supportive environment, encouraging continuous professional development and providing resources to enhance your career. We recognise and value the contributions of each team member to our culture and success. We're not afraid to be different, and we're looking for people who share our values and want to be part of a team that is working together to improve our local and global challenges.

Our Culture & Benefits

- Our collaborative, passionate and welcoming culture is what really sets us apart.
- Modern teaching & research facilities.
- Professional development and career pathway opportunities.
- We are a proud recipient of the prestigious Athena SWAN Bronze Award, granted as part of the Science in Australia Gender Equity (SAGE) initiative.
- EAP, fitness passport & discounted private health.

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