Director, Victoria and Tasmania Regional Branch

The Opportunity:

Are you a strategic leader with a passion for working with First Nations communities? The NIAA is looking for a dynamic Director to lead engagement teams across Eastern Victoria, within our Victoria and Tasmania Region. The role is ongoing and ideally based in Melbourne, though flexible work arrangements are available.

You will lead diverse teams and work closely with First Nations communities and service providers. Your goal will be to deliver outcomes that reflect community aspirations, on behalf of the Australian Government. The work is challenging, engaging, and involves collaboration with all levels of government and with First Nations organisations and communities.

Eastern Victoria includes vibrant and diverse communities in areas such as Eastern Melbourne, Shepparton, Wodonga, Seymour, and Gippsland. The role involves cross-border collaboration and close coordination with the Western Victoria Engagement Director. to provide strategic and consistent support to Engagement teams.

A key focus of this role will be leading the NIAA's efforts across government agencies to implement the National Agreement on Closing the Gap. You will drive this work through convening and participating in a range of Commonwealth and State-based stakeholder forums.

The successful candidate will deliver a range of government initiatives aimed at improving the wellbeing of First Nations Peoples. These efforts will be targeted, measurable, evidence-based, co-designed, and tailored to each location.

As an Engagement Director you will be responsible for:

• working with the Assistant Engagement Director to set priorities for Engagement Officers to achieve objectives

• building, maintaining and leveraging relationships across governments and service providers to work locally with First Nations peoples to maximise economic and social development in the region

• driving the implementation of the Empowered Communities model in the Victoria Region through close engagement with internal colleagues and the relevant Empowered Communities backbone organisation

• developing effective strategic partnerships with a broad range of stakeholders including First Nations peoples, community partners, business and organisations

• managing stakeholder expectations of the NIAA work program, priorities and program change, considering local and cultural sensitivities and stakeholder business imperatives

• leading and supporting employee performance and contribution to regional results

• providing strategic advice and specialist expertise across a broad range of activities including community engagement, customer service delivery, policy development and culture.

Our Ideal Candidate

Our ideal candidate is passionate about realising the benefit for First Nations people through targeted programs and services and maximising social and economic development opportunities. You will confidently manage a diverse team, including staff in Shepparton, who work with a wide range of stakeholders to develop social and economic policy and program proposals that meet the needs of local First Nations communities.

You will undertake a diverse range of activities which include needs identification by place, negotiation, strategic planning, identifying pipeline opportunities for future consideration and assessment of economic and social benefits for specific proposals. You will ensure that local proposals for investment are developed in partnership with communities, meet economic and social benefit tests and are capable of successful, low risk implementation.

We are seeking a candidate who:

• demonstrates cultural capability and experience working with First Nations peoples, with a strong understanding of the impacts of colonisation and a commitment to self-determined solutions

• drives performance and change, ensuring quality outcomes, managing risk through strong processes, and leading change with clarity and confidence

• builds respectful relationships, engaging stakeholders with courtesy, promoting collaboration, and managing underperformance constructively

• acts with integrity, upholding NIAA's values, navigating complexity with resilience, and representing the organisation professionally in high-level forums

• communicates with impact, tailoring culturally competent messages, preparing for sensitive negotiations, and securing stakeholder support to achieve shared outcomes

• leads with purpose, aligning teams to NIAA's vision, collaborating across the organisation, and staying attuned to the broader strategic landscape

• develops talent, fostering growth through coaching, mentoring, and succession planning to build future capability.

What We Offer:

• We have exciting work with real purpose. We support the aspirations of First Nations Peoples—it's our driving force. Our work is transformational, you can follow your passion, shape your career and make a difference.
• We value our employees —they're the heart of our Agency. Employees are supported and empowered to build their career. We are a diverse, inclusive and passionate workforce with an emphasis on continuous cultural learning and tailored professional development.
• Our work relies on strong and trusted relationships — we build partnerships by being authentic, sharing information and giving honest feedback. We collaborate with communities across Australia, all levels of government and many other invested stakeholders.

Eligibility:

• To be eligible for this position you must be an Australian Citizen.
• The occupant must be able to obtain and maintain a Baseline Vetting (Protected) level security clearance, or hold a current security clearance of an appropriate level.
• The successful candidate will be required to be assessed through our pre-employment screening checks, such as an Australian Criminal History Check

How to apply:

If this sounds like the opportunity you are looking for, we want to hear from you Submit an online application through the NIAA Careers Page by
11:30pm Monday 27 October AEDT.