Manager, Yitpi Yartapuultiku

City of Port Adelaide Enfield; Adelaide; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Port Adelaide Enfield seeks a forward-thinking Manager for Yitpi Yartapuultiku, an Aboriginal Cultural Centre, to guide a shared leadership model with Kaurna custodians and community partners. You will lead strategy, governance, and daily operations to realise meaningful cultural programs and sustainable growth.

You will build strong relationships with Elders and First Nations communities, drive program activation, and ensure the Centre remains a welcoming place for all visitors

Qualifications

• A degree-level qualification in commerce, business, Aboriginal Studies, Community Development, Management, Social Sciences, or a related discipline.
• Demonstrated senior leadership experience is essential for success.
• Experience working respectfully in community-led ways, supported by lived experience and a deep understanding of the systemic challenges faced by First Nations peoples, is highly valued.
• Proven ability to lead strategic planning, organisational development, and operational delivery in a government context is essential.
• Strong people leadership skills, including team development, fostering inclusive workplaces, managing performance, and building organisational capability, are essential.
• The ability to build and sustain strong partnerships with First Nations communities, Elders, knowledge holders, government agencies, and sector stakeholders using high-level consultation, negotiation, and advocacy skills is important.
• Experience managing budgets, funding agreements, and financial compliance, with a focus on long-term sustainability, is required.

Responsibilities

• In partnership with the Kaurna Elders group, nurture and develop the co-leadership model to deliver long-term sustainability, cultural integrity, and community relevance through effective planning and operational outcomes.
• Lead, teach, and mentor the Yitpi Yartapuultiku team, creating a positive culture and engaging work environment that delivers results.
• Ensure the Centre operates as a welcoming place for First Nations and non-First Nations people to learn, engage, and experience Aboriginal cultures by fostering respectful practices.
• Lead day-to-day operations within the context of a community co-leadership model by activating spaces and creating engaging experiences for visitors.
• Oversee financial and resource management including budgeting, grants oversight, income generation, procurement processes, and compliance reporting to support sustainability.
• Work in genuine partnership with Custodians, Elders, local First Nations communities, Council members, and external partners to guide governance and future growth of the Centre.
• Drive audience and visitor growth through proactive marketing strategies that position the Centre as a recognised destination for community members, partners, funders, sponsors, and tourism.
• Lead strategic planning initiatives aligned with Council priorities by developing business plans that reflect community aspirations and ensure successful activation of programs.
• Manage overall performance of the Centre by delivering endorsed goals and measurable outcomes while implementing robust reporting systems for accountability.

Skills

Senior leadership

People leadership

Strategic planning

Budget management

Partnership building

Governance & compliance

Education

Degree in commerce / business / Aboriginal Studies / Community Development / Management / Social Sciences

Job description

The City of Port Adelaide Enfield are committed to creating a city where people, places, and opportunities thrive.

Its work spans a diverse range of services and initiatives, from major infrastructure projects and environmental stewardship to community programs, cultural development, events, and regulatory services, all contributing to a vibrant and connected community.

As an organisation with ambitious goals for the future, the City of Port Adelaide Enfield is guided by values that encourage collaboration, continuous improvement and meaningful outcomes for the people we serve. We are looking for individuals who share these values and are passionate about contributing to a welcoming, liveable city, made by people.

Position Overview:

A unique opportunity awaits you in Port Adelaide to become the Manager of Yitpi Yartapuultiku, a role that is central to shaping a thriving, connected, and living Aboriginal Cultural Centre.

The Centre operates through a co-leadership partnership with Kaurna cultural custodians. This is a shared approach to achieving the vision and purpose of Yitpi Yartapuultiku as a living cultural centre. The partnership brings together Kaurna cultural authority, community aspirations, and organisational capability to guide the operation, development, and stewardship of the Cultural Centre.

This position offers you the chance to nurture and grow the co-leadership partnership, ensuring Yitpi Yartapuultiku remains a welcoming and respected place for both First Nations peoples and the broader community. You will be empowered to foster genuine partnerships with Elders, custodians, and local communities and deliver meaningful outcomes that enhance connection, wellbeing, and economic opportunities.

In addition, you will become part of a small but mighty operational team thatworks together to deliver our day-to-day operations, events, cultural programs, and community participation goals. As a hands-on, practical people leader, we will look to you to nurture a supportive culture where creativity, growth, and learning are celebrated while also integrating with broader Council objectives and processes.

Key Responsibilities:

• In partnership with the Kaurna Elders group, nurture and develop the co-leadership model to deliver long-term sustainability, cultural integrity, and community relevance through effective planning and operational outcomes.
• Lead, teach, and mentor the Yitpi Yartapuultiku team, creating a positive culture and engaging work environment that delivers results.
• Ensure the Centre operates as a welcoming place for First Nations and non-First Nations people to learn, engage, and experience Aboriginal cultures by fostering respectful practices.
• Lead day-to-day operations within the context of a community co-leadership model by activating spaces and creating engaging experiences for visitors.
• Oversee financial and resource management including budgeting, grants oversight, income generation, procurement processes, and compliance reporting to support sustainability.
• Work in genuine partnership with Custodians, Elders, local First Nations communities, Council members, and external partners to guide governance and future growth of the Centre.
• Drive audience and visitor growth through proactive marketing strategies that position the Centre as a recognised destination for community members, partners, funders, sponsors, and tourism.
• Lead strategic planning initiatives aligned with Council priorities by developing business plans that reflect community aspirations and ensure successful activation of programs.
• Manage overall performance of the Centre by delivering endorsed goals and measurable outcomes while implementing robust reporting systems for accountability.

Key Requirements:

• A degree-level qualification in commerce, business, Aboriginal Studies, Community Development, Management, Social Sciences, or a related discipline.
• Demonstrated senior leadership experience is essential for success.
• Experience working respectfully in community-led ways, supported by lived experience and a deep understanding of the systemic challenges faced by First Nations peoples, is highly valued.
• Proven ability to lead strategic planning, organisational development, and operational delivery in a government context is essential.
• Strong people leadership skills, including team development, fostering inclusive workplaces, managing performance, and building organisational capability, are essential.
• The ability to build and sustain strong partnerships with First Nations communities, Elders, knowledge holders, government agencies, and sector stakeholders using high-level consultation, negotiation, and advocacy skills is important.
• Experience managing budgets, funding agreements, and financial compliance, with a focus on long‑term sustainability, is required.

PAE stands out for its unwavering commitment to creating a welcoming, liveable city shaped by its people. Its vision centres on building thriving communities, prosperous economies, clean, green environments, and accessible places where everyone feels they belong.

Diversity at the City of PAE means a workplace where individuals are recognised, respected, and engaged in ways that develop and harness everyone's strengths. The City provides excellent working conditions, with job security, flexible working arrangements, and support for professional development.

This is an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander designated position, created to recognise the cultural knowledge, lived experience, and leadership essential to the success of this role. We also encourage applications from individuals who demonstrate a strong understanding of and commitment to working respectfully within First Nations communities, along with the ability to collaborate effectively with community leaders and Elders.

Applications close Wednesday, 9 September.