First Nations Business Regional Manager, Executive

**Job no**: 512621

**Employment type**: Ongoing

**Location**: Newcastle, Wagga Wagga, Wollongong, Sydney, Bundaberg, Geebung, Cairns, Brisbane, Townsville, Any location in Australia

**Categories**: Programme Management, Executive Level 1, Project Management

**About the department**:
The department plays a key role in the Australian Government's agenda to create jobs and build a stronger, more resilient and competitive economy. Our work builds on Australia's existing strengths, supports businesses to grow, and drives new opportunities for long-term productivity growth and prosperity. The success of the department helps Australia recover from the economic consequences of COVID-19 and adapt to its ongoing effects. Through our work, we support the government's economic recovery plan and help to deliver a better future for all Australians.

The departments Indigenous Employee Network (IEN) provides peer support, networking and professional development opportunities for all staff who identify as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person. The IEN enables the views and aspirations of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander staff to be heard and addressed in a positive and solution-focused manner. Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander staff can seek advice and support from the network for a range of issues. All Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander staff are encouraged to join and participate in the network.

The departments Inclusion team is committed to actively promoting a positive workplace where all staff are respected, valued, and have a sense of belonging. The team develops and implements internal strategies and actions plans while supporting Commonwealth Diversity and Inclusion Strategies. They also support the Diversity Networks as Relationship Managers to create a workplace culture where all employees are all valued and respected for their contribution. The Inclusion team and People branch coordinate the departments Reconciliation Action Plan, cultural competency, Indigenous development pathway program, Indigenous mentoring program, Jawun secondment program and Indigenous scholarship.

**About the team**:
The **AusIndustry Division** provides services to small and medium size businesses. For over 25 years AusIndustry has been a valuable hub, nurturing partnerships and networks, providing connections, and help to navigate the local, state and federal government support to get the best for each business.

The **AusIndustry Business Outreach **network section is the department's front-line, face-to-face national service offering. The network is made up of Regional Managers who are located across regional centres and capital cities. The network provides local businesses with information about programs, grants and services available from all levels of government. The network is mobile and engages face-to-face with the people who create, build and run Australian businesses to help them grow and succeed.

The network is also in a unique position to gather local insights from the business community and economic landscape around current and emerging issues, which then feeds into policy and program design. The network fosters strong collaborative relationships with local, state and federal government agencies, and offers a personalised business liaison function that takes into account the regional conditions.

**The opportunity**

The purpose of these roles is to raise the quality of support for First Nations businesses in NSW & QLD to encourage business growth and increase trust between business and government.

**What's in it for you?**
- _Trusted relationships resulting in uptake of service and funding opportunities _
- Increasing First Nations business engagement with and uptake of government (DISR and other) services and funding opportunities by building/sustaining trusted relationships.
- _Stakeholder engagement:_
- Creating and strengthening relationships with key internal and external stakeholders to provide quality referrals to First Nations businesses.
- _Intelligence and case studies _
- Providing on ground intelligence and case studies to support continuous improvement of First Nations business access into government.
- _Regional Manager support _
- Providing ongoing support to Regional Managers across the country to build stronger overall engagement with First Nations businesses and cultural awareness.

Other key outcomes may arise as the position matures or in line with department priorities.

You are highly competent in First Nations cultural communication, and engagement. You are passionate about improving growth opportunities for First Nations businesses and you have a good understanding of the needs and sensitivities of First Nations Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) across the State. You understand other perspectives and can represent a sound position with confidence.

You have existing networks with First Nations businesses and stakeholders across your area that