Community Engagement and Program Coordinator

This role supports community and government projects (with a focus on local councils), delivering education programs across Western Local Government Areas (LGAs) to boost access, strengthen VU's presence, and build impactful internal and external relationships.

• Join the university of opportunity
• Strengthen VU's partnerships to enhance education access
• Career development & hybrid flexibility

About Us:

The Community and Government Relations team drives strategic engagement with all levels of government, industry, and community. This team runs the VU in the Community (VUiC) program, which builds partnerships across Melbourne's west to enhance VU's presence in these communities, support local learning and employment, and deliver place-based initiatives. The team co-designs real-world learning and research opportunities, acting as a central hub for outreach and external engagement.

At Victoria University (VU), our aim is to be a global leader in dual-sector learning and research by 2028. Join us on the journey and help us achieve our strategic drivers embedded in our Strategic Plan : Start well, finish brilliantly. One of the drivers "Thriving place to Study and Work" will enable us to continue to create places that our students and staff love to belong and feel immense pride.

 

About the Role:

The Community Engagement and Program Coordinator supports the VU in the Community Program as well as Community and Government Relations projects, strengthening relationships and delivering education and community programs across LGAs in the West. The role enhances access to post-secondary education, strengthens VU's presence in growth areas, and fosters connections across the University to maximise impact for students and communities.

This is a full-time position at a HEP 7, $97,863 - $105,932 classification working 36.75 hours per week over a continuing period.

For a copy of the position description, please click here: Community Engagement and Program Coordinator

Key Duties

As part of your role, you'll be responsible to deliver several important initiatives as part of your duties that will include 

• Drive Community Programs: Explore and realise opportunities to plan and deliver education and community initiatives across various local councils in Melbourne's west.
• Lead VU in the Community Activities: Develop and promote programs that increase community access to education and strengthen VU's presence in the region.
•  Coordinate with Stakeholders: Work closely and collaboratively with internal VU teams and other stakeholders to work toward strategic objectives and deliver impactful programs, projects and other relevant activities, including events for government representatives.
• Plan and Report: Create annual program plans, gather feedback, and deliver evaluation reports with recommendations in collaboration with councils and university stakeholders.
• Monitor Agreements: Monitor MOUs and funding agreements to ensure goals are met and partnerships are successful.
• Build and Maintain Strong Relationships: Maintain positive and productive relationships across VU and external networks, representing the University at events, forums, and advisory groups.
• Shape Strategy: Contribute to the overall direction of the Community and Government Relations team through team planning, meetings, and continuous improvement of policies and practices.

What you'll bring:

To thrive in this role, you'll need a blend of planning, and program coordination skills paired with a solution-oriented attitude, problem-solving abilities, relationship-building strengths and ability to work with competing priorities. You'll bring:

• Community Engagement Expertise: Ability to apply understanding of engagement and relationship building with local government, industry, and community groups to deliver programs that span multiple portfolios and areas of the University.
• Collaborative Mindset: The ability to work cooperatively across teams and departments to achieve common goals and spot opportunities across government, industry, and community networks sectors to achieve valuable partnerships and real-world outcomes.
• Problem Solving / Solution-Oriented Attitude:  Proactively seeking out opportunities with a can-do attitude, demonstrating strong analytical skills to identify issues, evaluate options, and implement effective solutions.
• Institutional Awareness: Demonstrated broad knowledge (or the ability to quickly learn) VU's strategic priorities, governance, and decision-making processes to effectively align engagement activities with institutional objectives.
• VU Insight: Ability to develop and apply working knowledge of VU's priorities in teaching, learning, research, and social impact, particularly in the context of Melbourne's west.

Application Closing Date: Monday 3 October 2025, 5:00pm AEST. - This advert may close earlier should a suitable candidate be identified. Early applications are strongly encouraged.

How to Apply:

Applications must be submitted as a single document comprising:

• A cover letter
• Your curriculum vitae/resume
• Your responses addressing all selection criteria located in the position description
• Evidence of applicable qualifications, licences and registration

Why Join Us:

VU provides competitive salaries, excellent superannuation, and a variety of benefits. The university fosters an environment where staff can excel, achieve their goals, and develop their careers. With a focus on diversity, inclusion, and family-friendly policies, VU supports both professional and personal well-being. For more information, please visit our Jobs at VU Webpage

Our Commitment to Protecting Country: 

Victoria University honours its deep diversity as a foundation for collaboration and social progress. We will demonstrate sensitivity in respecting First Nation perspectives. We will ensure that we respect our Indigenous voices and commit to sustainable Protecting Country. We will take leadership responsibility, in all that we do, to improve the health and wellbeing of our local and global communities, and the planet that we share. 

Committed to Inclusive Recruitment

Victoria University is an equal opportunity employer and proudly committed to progressive inclusivity. We welcome and celebrate diversity in all its forms including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with disability, culturally and racially marginalised communities, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and people of all ages and socio-economic backgrounds.

We strive to build a workforce that reflects the communities we serve and foster a respectful, inclusive, and supportive environment where everyone feels they belong.

If you require adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process, including accessible formats of documents, please contact us at or call