Associate Director, Policy and Partnerships

The Australian National University; Canberra; On-site; AUD 140,000 - 175,000; Full time

Job summary

The Australian National University invites applications for an Associate Director, Policy and Partnerships within the Centre of Indigenous Economic Transformation (CIET). This senior leadership role steers policy, partnerships and cross-sector engagement to advance Indigenous economic reform at a national level.

You will translate research into practical policy outcomes, manage key partnerships with First Nations, government, industry and philanthropy, and lead a culturally safe, rights-based

Qualifications

• Postgraduate qualifications and relevant experience
• National or international reputation for leadership in Indigenous policy
• High level Indigenous knowledge and economic development expertise
• Extensive record shaping Indigenous economic policy and systems reform
• Proven ability to translate research into legislation, regulation and institutional design
• Exceptional partnership-building and negotiation across First Nations, governments, industry and philanthropy
• Deep knowledge of UNDRIP, FPIC, Indigenous IP, data sovereignty and Indigenous-led evaluation frameworks
• Outstanding strategic communication and public leadership skills
• Experience leading cross-cultural teams and embedding rights-based practice
• Commitment to equal employment opportunity and culturally safe practice

Responsibilities

• Lead CIET’s policy agenda, strategic partnerships and cross-sector engagement
• Translate research and evidence into practical policy outcomes
• Provide strategic advice on Indigenous economic rights and reform
• Manage key partnerships and stakeholder relationships
• Coordinate and drive CIET’s portfolio of policy projects with governments and partners
• Oversee policy initiatives and represent CIET in key forums
• Lead a cross-cultural team delivering meaningful, culturally safe outcomes

Skills

Leadership

Indigenous policy

Stakeholder engagement

Partnership building

Cross-cultural leadership

Strategic communication

Rights-based practice

Education

Postgraduate qualifications

Job description

Classification: Senior Manager 3
Salary package: Competitive salary package plus 17% superannuation
Terms: Full time, Fixed term (12 months)
Location: Canberra, ACT

Position Description and Selection Criteria, please visit the official ANU Jobs website to download the document:http://jobs.anu.edu.au/cw/en/job/563589?lApplicationSubSourceID=

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are strongly encouraged to apply.

Senior leadership opportunity supporting nationally significant First Nations economic reform

• Lead the delivery of major policy projects with governments and other partners
• Shape policy, institutional reform and investment approaches
• Build partnerships across First Nations organisations, governments, industry and philanthropy
• Translate research and evidence into practical reform
• Join the leadership of a new Indigenous-led national Centre
  

Position overview

Within ANU, the Centre of Indigenous Economic Transformation (CIET) is an Indigenous-led national hub advancing economic self-determination through research, policy influence, partnerships and education.

CIET works with First Nations leaders and organisations, governments, industry, investors and philanthropy to drive systems change across areas including institutional and fiscal reform, access to capital and investment, Indigenous trade, data sovereignty and clean energy transitions.

The role

Reporting to the Centre Director, the Associate Director, Policy and Partnerships will lead CIET’s policy agenda, strategic partnerships and cross-sector engagement.

The role will translate research and evidence into practical policy outcomes, provide strategic advice on Indigenous economic rights and legislative and institutional reform and manage key partnerships and stakeholder relationships.

A key focus will be coordinating and driving CIET’s portfolio of policy projects with governments and other partners. The Associate Director will work closely with the First Nations Economic Empowerment Alliance, First Nations organisations, governments, industry, investors and philanthropy. They will oversee policy initiatives, represent CIET in key forums and lead a cross-cultural team to deliver meaningful and culturally safe outcomes.

About You

You are an experienced leader with a strong record in Indigenous economic policy, systems reform or related fields.

You bring:

• postgraduate qualifications and relevant experience, including a national or international reputation for leadership in Indigenous policy, or an equivalent combination of experience and training
• a high level of Indigenous knowledge, cultural expertise and experience, particularly in relation to economic development
• an extensive record of shaping Indigenous economic policy and systems reform, with demonstrable national outcomes
• proven ability to translate research into legislation, regulation and institutional design
• exceptional partnership-building and negotiation experience across First Nations organisations, Commonwealth and state or territory governments, industry and philanthropy
• deep knowledge of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, free, prior and informed consent, Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property, data sovereignty and Indigenous-led evaluation frameworks
• outstanding strategic communication and public leadership skills, including experience preparing speeches, media materials and policy briefs
• experience leading cross-cultural teams and embedding culturally safe, rights-based practice in programs and partnerships
• a commitment to equal employment opportunity and culturally safe, inclusive practice that embeds Indigenous leadership and participation
  

For further information, please contact Corinne Payne, CIET Centre Manager, E: [e-mail].

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are strongly encouraged to apply. For more information on employment opportunities, contact our Indigenous Employment Consultant at [e-mail].

ANU values diversity and inclusion and is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to people of all backgrounds and identities. For more information about staff equity at ANU, visit https://services.anu.edu.au/human-resources/respect-inclusion.

Please note: The preferred candidate must have rights to live and work in Australia and will be required to complete mandatory pre-employment declarations and background checks relevant to the role they have applied for, in accordance with the Background Checking Procedure and the National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-Based Violence.

CLOSING DATE: Sunday 27 September 2026, 11.55pm (Canberra time)