Cultural Heritage Unit Manager

Wurundjeri Woi-Wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 160,000 - 220,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free onsite parking

Job summary

The Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation seeks a Cultural Heritage Unit Manager to provide strategic leadership, governance oversight and operational management to protect and advance Aboriginal cultural heritage across Wurundjeri Country. You will lead RAP functions and ensure compliance with the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006 and related regulations.

Lead a multidisciplinary team responsible for CHMPs, CHPs, heritage agreements and advisory services, while aligning

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years' experience in Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Management, Archaeology or a related discipline
• Demonstrated Senior Leadership experience managing specialist professional teams
• Extensive experience assessing and evaluating Cultural Heritage Management Plans (CHMPs) and Cultural Heritage Permits (CHPs) within Victoria
• Significant experience working respectfully and effectively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and Traditional Owner corporations
• Demonstrated experience providing strategic advice to senior executives, boards, or governing bodies
• Experience managing complex stakeholder relationships and negotiations
• Reasonable knowledge and appreciation of Aboriginal cultures and matters, including cultural safety and social issues
• Working With Children Check
• National Police Check
• Cultural alignment: Work with like-minded people to support and develop the Wurundjeri Community and Corporation and ensure the ongoing protection of Wurundjeri Heritage
• Collaborative culture: Work with a forward-thinking, diverse team that values your insights
• Growth culture: We invest in your development through career pathways, mentorship and training
• Top-tier benefits: Competitive salary and work-life balance perks that make a difference
• Make an impact: Be part of something bigger and help shape the services we deliver

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and direction for the Cultural Heritage Unit consistent with the Corporation's Strategic Plan, Annual Business Plan, and cultural objectives
• Develop and implement long-term cultural heritage priorities, policies and initiatives that strengthen cultural heritage outcomes on Wurundjeri Country
• Support the CEO and Board through the provision of expert professional advice regarding cultural heritage legislation, policy, and emerging sector issues
• Identify emerging opportunities, risks and legislative changes affecting Wurundjeri cultural heritage interests and develop strategic responses
• Oversee the assessment and evaluation of CHMPs, CHPs, and other statutory heritage applications
• Ensure statutory responsibilities are delivered in accordance with legislative requirements, prescribed timeframes and organisational standards
• Provide authoritative interpretation of the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006, Aboriginal Heritage Regulations 2026 and associated policy frameworks
• Lead, develop and mentor Cultural Heritage Unit employees through effective supervision, coaching and performance management
• Build a high-performance culture founded on accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement and cultural integrity
• Contribute to the development and management of Cultural Heritage Unit budgets

Skills

Senior leadership

Stakeholder management

Cultural heritage management

Job description

The Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation is a Registered Aboriginal Party (RAP) appointed under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006 (Vic.). We represent the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Traditional Owners of Melbourne and the Greater Melbourne region and take great pride in our responsibility for protecting and managing Aboriginal cultural heritage objects and places on Wurundjeri Country. The Corporation provides a range of cultural services, including environmental land management, cross-cultural education, traditional Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremonies, research, and cultural consultations.

About the role

The Cultural Heritage Unit Manager provides strategic leadership, governance oversight and operational management of the Cultural Heritage Unit to ensure the effective protection, management and advancement of Aboriginal cultural heritage across Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Country. As a Senior Leader of the Corporation, the position is responsible for directing the Corporation's Registered Aboriginal Party (RAP) functions and ensuring compliance with all statutory obligations under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006 (Vic.) and associated Regulations. The role leads a multidisciplinary team responsible for the assessment, evaluation and management of Cultural Heritage Management Plans (CHMPs), Cultural Heritage Permits (CHPs), heritage agreements, compliance activities and cultural heritage advisory services.

Key responsibilities

Provide strategic leadership and direction for the Cultural Heritage Unit consistent with the Corporation's Strategic Plan, Annual Business Plan, and cultural objectives

Develop and implement long-term cultural heritage priorities, policies and initiatives that strengthen cultural heritage outcomes on Wurundjeri Country

Support the CEO and Board through the provision of expert professional advice regarding cultural heritage legislation, policy, and emerging sector issues

Identify emerging opportunities, risks and legislative changes affecting Wurundjeri cultural heritage interests and develop strategic responses

Oversee the assessment and evaluation of Cultural Heritage Management Plans (CHMPs), Cultural Heritage Permits (CHPs), and other statutory heritage applications

Ensure statutory responsibilities are delivered in accordance with legislative requirements, prescribed timeframes and organisational standards

Provide authoritative interpretation of the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006, Aboriginal Heritage Regulations 2026 and associated policy frameworks

Lead, develop and mentor Cultural Heritage Unit employees through effective supervision, coaching and performance management

Build a high-performance culture founded on accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement and cultural integrity

Contribute to the development and management of Cultural Heritage Unit budgets

About you

Minimum 10 years' experience in Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Management, Archaeology or a related discipline

Demonstrated Senior Leadership experience managing specialist professional teams

Extensive experience assessing and evaluating Cultural Heritage Management Plans and Cultural Heritage Permits within Victoria

Significant experience working respectfully and effectively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and Traditional Owner corporations

Demonstrated experience providing strategic advice to senior executives, boards, or governing bodies

Experience managing complex stakeholder relationships and negotiations

Reasonable knowledge and appreciation of Aboriginal cultures and matters, including cultural safety and social issues

Comfortable to work in all weather conditions, depending on the tasks required

Working With Children Check

National Police Check

Cultural alignment: Work with like-minded people to support and develop the Wurundjeri Community and Corporation and ensure the ongoing protection of Wurundjeri Heritage

Collaborative culture: Work with a forward-thinking, diverse team that values your insights

Growth culture: We invest in your development through career pathways, mentorship and training

Top-tier benefits: Competitive salary and work-life balance perks that make a difference

Make an impact: Be part of something bigger and help shape the services we deliver

Not-for-profit salary packaging benefits, with the opportunity to earn tax-free income

Free onsite parking

Closing Date

Applications will be closing on 30th October 2026

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants are encouraged to apply.