Manager, Indigenous Services (Identified)

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 NSW.

Candidates who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander will be required to demonstrate their heritage by way of providing Confirmation of Aboriginality in line with University procedure. 

Be challenged and imagine with us

As Manager, Indigenous Services, you will lead a specialist team to Indigenise library practices and advance reconciliation across collections, services and staff culture.

Reporting to the Associate Director, Services and Engagement, you will lead a team that provides culturally appropriate support to students, staff, and community members through services, collection development, cultural programming, research assistance, learning support, and community engagement and outreach.

You will lead implementation of frameworks and training for culturally appropriate library services and collections.

In this role you will:

• Oversee provenance assessments, metadata development and custodianship of Indigenous cultural materials.
• Contribute to the development of policies and guidelines aligned with Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP) protocols and University frameworks and commitments.
• Build authentic relationships with internal and First Nations stakeholders to guide culturally responsive services.
• Represent the Library in national GLAM forums and contribute to university-wide Indigenous advancement strategies.

This continuing position is full time and will be located at the Callaghan Campus (Awabakal land).

What You’ll Do

• Lead and develop the new Indigenous Services team.
• Provide leadership and specialist advice on embedding First Nations cultures in library services.
• Develop cultural assessments, access protocols and metadata for Indigenous collections.
• Deliver training and resources to support staff capability in cultural collection management and develop internal guidelines and agreements for culturally sensitive and ICIP-aligned practices.
• Operate as a senior member of the Library Leadership Team, influencing strategy and managing projects.
• Champion equity, diversity, inclusion and cultural safety across library operations.

How will you inspire us?

What we’re looking for:

• Aboriginality is a genuine occupational qualification under NSW legislation.
• Postgraduate qualifications plus extensive relevant experience, or substantial professional management experience, especially in GLAM, higher education, or cultural organisations.
• Demonstrated leadership of culturally competent teams and change initiatives.
• Understanding of Indigenous cultural protocols and capacity to develop expertise in collection management, metadata, and digital curation.
• Strong interpersonal skills with a demonstrated track record in respectful stakeholder partnerships.
• Experience interpreting and applying policies and Indigenous material care protocols within institutional frameworks.
• Ability to manage projects, develop business cases, design training, and report on sector trends.

What we offer

The remuneration for this position is Higher Education Worker Level 8 + 17% superannuation and is commensurate with skills and experience. 

We offer a range of benefits to our employees to ensure you balance your commitments, stay healthy and work effectively. 

These include: 

• 17% super and salary packaging.
• Ongoing professional development and opportunities to attend national GLAM and Indigenous sector events.
• A supportive workplace with a strong commitment to inclusion, equity, and cultural safety.
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff leave.
• Additional University Holiday days, generous personal, life, and parental leave, annual leave loading, and additional purchased leave scheme.
• Discounts on private health insurance, gym memberships, software, travel and more.
• A range of support and wellbeing programs.

For more information on benefits and conditions, please follow this link.

About our University

The University of Newcastle stands as a global leader distinguished by a commitment to equity and excellence. Our vision is to be a world-leading University for our regions and creating a better future for our regions and the globe. Underpinned by this vision are our values of excellence, equity, engagement and sustainability.

Your next steps

Important information before you apply:

• If viewing this on a job board other than the University's please click ‘Apply’ (or equivalent) to reach the University's website, where a copy of the Position Description can be accessed. Please download a copy from the Related Documents section before commencing your application.
• Candidates who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander will be required to demonstrate their heritage by way of providing Confirmation of Aboriginality in line with University procedure.

Your application:

Your application must include:

• Your resume.
• A cover letter (1 page max) outlining your motivation to apply for this opportunity.
• A statement addressing the following criteria (2 page max):

1. Outline your experience working with an Indigenous community to deliver a strategic initiative or project for a large or complex organisation. How did you ensure respectful stakeholder input and culturally responsive outcomes?
2. Detail your experience developing and successfully implementing policies, frameworks or guidelines supporting Indigenous service delivery. How have you ensured alignment between cultural expectations and institutional policy?
3. Provide an example where you have developed or implemented cultural assessments, provenance processes, access or intellectual property protocols around indigenous knowledge or cultural collections. 

We value diversity and strive to ensure that our recruitment processes are equitable, inclusive, and barrier-free. If you require an alternative pathway to view the Position Description or to submit an application, please reach out to employment@newcastle.edu.au.

We also seek to provide a fair chance to all applicants by providing reasonable adjustments where required during the assessment and interview phases of the recruitment process.

Our assessment process

Typically candidates that progress beyond the shortlist stage can expect to undertake the following (minimum) assessment activities as part of the recruitment process:

• Interview (an ‘in person’ interview will be conducted as part of the process)
• Referee checks
• Pre-employment checks as appropriate to the role

Our University is committed to creating a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for every member of our community. This commitment is central to our values and our efforts to build a diverse workforce where everyone can thrive.

As part of this, and in alignment with the National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-Based Violence 2025, from 1 January 2026, the University will also consider gender-based violence risk factors as part of our recruitment processes.

The completion and return of the University’s Gender-based Violence Declaration Form will form part of the pre-employment checks for this position and any offer of employment will be conditional upon review by the University.

Our adherence to the Code is about more than compliance – it’s about living our values. Together, we can ensure our University remains a place where respect, safety, and inclusion are non-negotiable.

Contact Us

• For specific position enquiries, please contact Matthew Davis, University Librarian, on (02) 4921 6455 or via email at matthew.davis10@newcastle.edu.au
• If you have any questions about Aboriginality as a genuine requirement for this role, including the types of accepted documentation, please contact Simone Jordan, Indigenous Employment Partner on (02) 4055 0897 or via email at simone.jordan@newcastle.edu.au
• Having technical difficulties? Please reach out to us: employment@newcastle.edu.au Please note, we do not accept email applications.

Closing date: Wednesday 4 March 2026 at 11.59pm AEDT

We are excited to be Looking Ahead with you

We provide opportunities for all people regardless of their background and experience, and this philosophy is reflected across all that we do. 

The University of Newcastle is an equal opportunity employer committed to equity, diversity, and social inclusion.

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