Full-time Continuing, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander required designated position
Salary Academic Level HEW 9 + 17% Superannuation and Flexible Working Arrangements
Based at the Melbourne CBD campus, and hybrid ways of working
About The Role
With RMIT’s strategic shift from Reconciliation toward Responsible Practice, the Manager, First Peoples Workforce Development plays a key role in leading the design and transformation of how RMIT attracts, develops, recognises and retains First Nations talent.
Grounded in the spirit of RMIT’s Bundjil Statement and our commitment to understanding ways of knowing, doing and being on place, the role is responsible for guiding the transition from RMIT’s current Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Employment Plan toward a renewed Workforce Development Plan, translating commitment into sustained action and measurable outcomes.
Building on the momentum of State Treaty, and in partnership with the Indigenous Staff Network (ISN), Colleges, Portfolios and community partners, the role influences system-level change to strengthen accountability, cultural safety, self-determination and fulfilling career pathways for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff across the university.
What You Will Do
Lead the development, implementation and evolution of RMIT’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Strategic Workforce Development Plan, setting clear direction and outcomes informed by Treaty and aligned to RMIT’s strategic priorities.
Drive measurable improvements in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employment outcomes, including recruitment, retention, progression and leadership representation, using data and insight to inform action.
Shape and influence enterprise-wide workforce practices to improve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employment outcomes, embedding Responsible Practice and culturally safe approaches into decision-making and systems.
Partner with Colleges and Portfolios to embed local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employment plans, distributing ownership and accountability for delivery and outcomes.
Build trusted relationships with the Indigenous Staff Network (ISN), stakeholders and community partners, ensuring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives inform workforce design and implementation.
Provide expert advice and coaching to leaders across RMIT’s colleges and portfolios, strengthening capability to lead culturally safe teams and deliver on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employment commitments.
Design and deliver initiatives that strengthen sustainable talent pathways for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff, from attraction through to leadership.
Contribute to organizational capability by embedding inclusive and culturally safe practices and building understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employment priorities across the University.
About You
You are an experienced First Nations Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person with proven strategic experience developing, creating and implementing strategic Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workforce development plans.
For this role you must be of Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander heritage, with demonstrated cultural capability and integrity, including the ability to build trust and work respectfully with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities.
To Be Successful In This Position, You’ll Have
Demonstrated understanding of the issues affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, with the ability to communicate sensitively and effectively and apply this understanding in workforce design and decision-making.
Experience designing and embedding workforce or organisational initiatives that translate strategy and plans into sustained behavioural and system change.
Demonstrated ability to lead initiatives that deliver measurable improvements in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employment outcomes, including recruitment, retention, progression and
leadership pathways.
Proven capacity to influence and partner with senior leaders to shape decision-making and embed accountability in complex organisational environments.
Strong understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workforce priorities, including cultural safety, self-determination and equitable employment outcomes
Ability to use data, insight and evidence to inform decision-making and track progress against workforce outcomes
Experience contributing to or leading Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employment or workforce development plans within a large or complex organisation.
Understanding of Responsible Practice and its application in organisational systems, policies and ways of working.
Experience working in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, stakeholder groups or networks to co-design and deliver outcomes.
Please Note: Appointment to this position is subject to passing a Working with Children and National Police Check.
About the Group
The Capability and Employee Experience team delivers a range of planned, data driven, evidence based initiatives that positively impact the University’s culture, uplift capability and improve the employee experience with a particular focus on employee voice and diversity and inclusion. The Capability and Employe Experience team works across all employee levels from emergent to executive providing facilitation, coaching, insight and learning expertise.
The Capability, Inclusion and Leadership team, to which this position reports, delivers, leadership organisational workforce development, inclusion and capability initiatives aligned to RMIT’s Knowledge with Action Strategy.
To Apply
Please submit your CV and covering letter addressing the Key Selection Criteria for this position by clicking on the ‘Apply’ link at the top of this page.
For further information about this position, please see the Position Description hyperlinked below or contact Bianca Jenkins via email [email protected].
Position Description
Please note, if you are viewing this advert from an external site, please click ‘apply’ and you will be redirected to RMIT's Jobs website to access the Position Description at the bottom of the page. Due to recent upgrades, position description links may not work on LinkedIn advertisements.
#LI-Hybrid
RMIT is an equal opportunity employer committed to being a child safe organisation. We are dedicated to attracting, retaining and developing our people regardless of gender identity, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability and age. Applications are encouraged from all sectors of the community, and we strongly encourage applications from the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander community.
In line with RMIT University’s commitment to a safe, respectful and inclusive environment, from 1 January 2026, the University will also consider gender-based violence (GBV) risk factors as part of our recruitment processes. All applicants will be required to complete a gender‑based violence declaration in accordance with the National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based Violence. Preferred candidates will also be required to undertake relevant pre‑employment background checks, including Working With Children Checks. Information provided will be treated confidentially and considered only for its relevance to the role and RMIT’s safety obligations.
At RMIT, we are committed to supporting adjustments throughout the recruitment and selection process, as well as during employment. We actively support and encourage people with disability to apply to RMIT (including alternate formats of application forms). To discuss adjustment requirements, please contact Dani, via [email protected] or visit our Careers page for more contact information - https://www.rmit.edu.au/careers.
We are a Circle Back Initiative Employer – we commit to respond to every applicant.
Skills Required
- Proven strategic experience developing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workforce plans
- Demonstrated understanding of issues affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
- Experience designing workforce initiatives that deliver measurable improvements
- Capacity to influence senior leaders in decision-making processes
- Strong understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workforce priorities
- Ability to use data to inform decision-making
- Experience leading workforce development within large organizations
- Understanding of Responsible Practice in organizational systems
- Experience working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
What We Do
RMIT University is a global university of technology, design, and enterprise that focuses on industry-connected learning and research.
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