Associate Dean (Indigenous)

• Full-time, Ongoing position at Academic Level D or E with three-year leadership position
• Parramatta South campus with flexible working arrangements.
• Lead Indigenous leadership and excellence across the Faculty.

Identified Position

This is an identified position, and applicants must be an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Person. Being an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person is a genuine occupational qualification as authorised under Section 14(D) of the NSW Anti-Discrimination Act 1977.

Please refer to the Guidelines for Confirmation of Identity for Indigenous Australians for the requirements of this position.

• Click here to view Confirmation of Identity for Indigenous Australian Staff

• Click here to view the Community Confirmation Template

• Click here to view the Statutory Declaration Form

The Opportunity

You will provide strategic academic leadership to advance Indigenous engagement, education, research and success across the Faculty of Social Sciences, Art, Business, Education & Law (SABEL). Reporting to the Executive Dean, you will work across the Faculty to implement Western Sydney University’s 2026-2030 Indigenous Strategy and embed Indigenous knowledges, perspectives and participation across teaching, research and governance.

You will lead a Faculty-wide approach to Indigenous leadership and excellence across all five schools. SABEL has a strong track record of Indigenous research, with shared strengths in Indigenous-led research, meaningful student partnerships and Indigenous-enriched learning. The Faculty is also home to the highest number of Indigenous students across the University, reflecting a deep and ongoing commitment to Indigenous education and success.

You will bring these strengths together into a coordinated Faculty-wide direction. Working with senior leaders, Indigenous academics, the Division of Indigenous Leadership, Badanami Centre for Indigenous Education, community partners, Elders and University stakeholders, you will align strategy, share best practice and support meaningful impact in Indigenous research, curriculum, student partnership, staff development and cultural capability.

As an anchor institution in Greater Western Sydney, Western Sydney University is committed to Indigenous self-determination, cultural integrity and community partnership, creating opportunities for Indigenous peoples to thrive, lead and succeed. 

The Division of Indigenous Leadership provides strategic leadership to advance Indigenous excellence across Western Sydney University. The Division leads a broad range of initiatives including the Badanami Centre for Indigenous Education, the Ignite Indigenous Traineeship Program, Wumarra Indigenous Mentoring Program, Pathways to Dreaming Program, Indigenous Postdoctoral Fellowship Scheme, and the development of the Indigenous Centre of Excellence

This position is an ongoing academic appointment, with the Associate Dean (Indigenous) responsibilities held as a 3-year secondment. 

What Success Looks Like

• Develop and lead the implementation of Faculty-aligned Indigenous strategies and initiatives.
• Advance Indigenous participation, success and leadership in higher education.
• Embed Indigenous knowledges and perspectives in curriculum and learning.
• Strengthen Indigenous-led and Indigenous-engaged research and partnerships.
• Provide cultural leadership and advocacy within Faculty governance.

What Success Looks Like:

• Lead Faculty-specific strategies that align with the University’s Indigenous Strategy and strengthen Indigenous participation, success and leadership.
• Advance Indigenous-enriched curriculum, student partnership and support in collaboration with Badanami and faculty stakeholders.
• Strengthen Indigenous-led and Indigenous-engaged research, including ethical and respectful partnerships with communities, Elders and organisations.
• Provide cultural leadership that builds cultural safety, responsiveness and Indigenous voice across faculty governance and academic life.
• Monitor and report on key indicators relating to Indigenous education, research, staffing and engagement.

Please refer to the Position Description for full details.

About You

• You hold a doctoral qualification in a relevant discipline and are appointable at Academic Level D or E (refer to position descriptions for details: Level D and Level E).
• You have a proven record of academic leadership and engagement with Indigenous communities, education or research.
• You bring deep understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures and contemporary issues.
• You have strong experience in curriculum development and/or research that centres Indigenous knowledge systems and perspectives.

Benefits

We invest in the people who make our mission possible. Alongside a rewarding career, we offer a range of benefits designed to support your financial, personal and family wellbeing.

• Financial benefits: Access to staff-only products and offers with selected banking partners, salary sacrifice options for onsite parking, and novated motor vehicle leasing.
• Health and wellbeing support: Free Employee Assistance Program (EAP), complimentary annual flu vaccination, eligibility for Fitness Passport membership, and access to discounted private health cover.
• Onsite childcare: Long day care and early learning services operate at our Campbelltown, Hawkesbury, Parramatta, and Penrith campuses. Staff may be eligible for discounted fees and salary packaging, with places subject to centre capacity.

Application Details

• Position Enquiries: Direct to Professor Kevin Dunn, Executive Dean, SABEL via [email protected]. Please include the job reference code REF1703K.
• Closing Date: 11:59pm, Friday 4th September 2026.
• Working Rights: You must provide evidence of your working rights in Australia at time of application. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
• How to Apply: Please note that only applications submitted via the University's online recruitment system will be considered. As part of your online application, you will be asked to respond to questions addressing the key qualifications, experiences and skills required for this position.

To express your interest in the role, please prepare the following application materials:

• A comprehensive academic CV detailing your positions held (with dates), key achievements, education, professional training, qualifications (including dates of completion), and a summary of your research activity and outputs.
• A candidate statement (maximum five pages) outlining your vision for the role, what you hope to accomplish, and how your experience and skills align with the selection criteria.
• Contact details for three referees, including your relationship to each referee and why you have nominated them. Referees will only be contacted after prior consultation with you.
• Your earliest possible start date.

Belonging at Western

We are committed to substantive equality as outlined in our Equal Opportunity Policy. We actively encourage applications from Indigenous Australians, candidates of all gender identities and expressions, people of all abilities, and those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

For reasonable adjustments during the application process, please contact [email protected].

About Western

This is your opportunity to be part of something bigger. By joining Western Sydney University, you become a valued member of our community. As our region changes, so too does our university. Western is boldly different, energetic, global, diverse, dynamic, and youthful.

Our mission is to deliver student success, impactful research, and stronger communities. As part of our team, you will have a stake in shaping the future of education, broadening horizons, and changing lives. Making a difference starts at Western.

For the latest please visit our website and LinkedIn.