Associate Director, Indigenous Partnerships

**Associate Director, Indigenous Partnerships**:
**Position Number**: 0066014
**Location**:Parkville
**Role type**: Full Time; Continuing
**Department**:Office of the Provost
**Salary**:Senior Manager salary package with up to 17% super

The University of Melbourne would like to acknowledge and pay respect to the Traditional Owners of the lands upon which our campuses are situated, the Wurundjeri and Boon Wurrung Peoples, the Yorta Yorta Nation, the Dja Dja Wurrung People. We acknowledge that the land on which we meet and learn was the place of age-old ceremonies, of celebration, initiation and renewal, and that the local Aboriginal Peoples have had and continue to have a unique role in the life of these lands.

**About the Role**

The Associate Director, Indigenous Partnerships plays a pivotal role in advancing the University of Melbourne's commitment to Indigenous engagement and reconciliation. This position provides strategic and operational leadership for the University's place-based partnerships with Indigenous communities in Melbourne (Narrm), the Goulburn Valley, and North-East Arnhem Land. The role involves fostering strong, enduring relationships with Traditional Owners, Indigenous community leaders, and external partners in government, cultural, and education sectors. Working closely with the Director, Indigenous Partnerships, this position contributes to developing and implementing initiatives that promote reciprocal learning and mutual benefit through teaching, research, and capability-building.

The Associate Director also oversees the day-to-day management of the Indigenous Partnerships team, ensuring effective engagement across Faculties and adherence to governance processes. This role is instrumental in translating the University's Indigenous strategy into tangible outcomes, driving social change and impact in collaboration with Indigenous communities.

**Responsibilities include**:

- Support the development and implementation of the strategic vision for the University of Melbourne’s Indigenous place-based partnerships across the three regions
- Work collaboratively with Indigenous community partners to progress shared goals and objectives focused on reciprocal learning and benefit through teaching, research, and capability-building.
- Promote and support Indigenous partnerships within the University, working with Faculties to facilitate new research and teaching initiatives and to grow existing relationships.
- Contribute to the delivery of the Murmuk Djerring Indigenous Strategy, working in close collaboration with the Indigenous Strategy team to advance the Partnerships priority theme and related initiatives.
- This role offers a unique opportunity to be at the forefront of shaping meaningful partnerships between a leading university and Indigenous communities, driving real-world impact and social change. As part of a dynamic and committed team within the Office of the Provost, you'll have the chance to influence strategic decisions, collaborate with diverse stakeholders, and contribute significantly to the University's reconciliation journey, all while developing your leadership skills in a supportive and innovative environment._

**About You**
You will be a highly empathetic and culturally sensitive leader with exceptional communication and relationship-building skills, capable of navigating complex stakeholder environments with diplomacy and respect. Your strategic thinking and ability to translate vision into action will be complemented by your adaptability and resilience in managing diverse projects and partnerships. As a collaborative team player, you'll also demonstrate strong initiative and the capacity to work autonomously, driving outcomes that benefit both the University and Indigenous communities.

**You will also have**:

- Highly developed relationship-building, communication, and negotiation skills in both Indigenous and non-Indigenous contexts.
- Demonstrated ability to contribute to strategic planning processes and to support the development of initiatives to achieve agreed strategic objectives.
- Proven experience in designing, delivering and evaluating significant projects and programs in collaboration with Indigenous communities at a regional and/or national level.
- Demonstrated experience in preparing high-quality, complex written documents such as discussion papers, briefings, business cases, and project plans, with a strong focus on accuracy, clarity, and strategic insight.

**About the University**
The University of Melbourne is consistently ranked amongst the leading universities in the world. We are proud of our people, our commitment to research and teaching excellence, and our global engagement.

**Support for Indigenous staff**
- Cultural leave: Indigenous staff members are entitled to up to ten days non-cumulative paid leave per calendar year for the purpose of attending NAIDOC, community, cultural and ceremonial activities.
- University policies: Indigenou