Partnerships Manager

First People Recruitment Solutions; Canberra; On-site; AUD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

The Centre for Indigenous Economic Transformation (CIET) at The Australian National University is seeking a Partnerships Manager to lead relationships, services and engagement activities connecting First Nations communities with government, industry and academia.

You will develop and implement the Centre's partnerships and business development plan, build trusted relationships, design advisory and project services, and manage budgets, procurement and governance while representing the Centre in

Qualifications

• Postgraduate qualifications in business, communications, public policy, Indigenous studies, community development or a related field.
• Demonstrated success building and sustaining strategic partnerships across First Nations communities, industry, philanthropy and government.
• Experience designing advisory, consulting or partnership-based services with proposal development and delivery.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage relationships, services and engagement activities connecting First Nations communities with government, private sector and the Centre's capabilities.
• Develop and implement the Centre's partnerships and business development plan aligned with First Nations priorities.
• Build trusted relationships with First Nations communities and organisations, supporting self-determined outcomes.
• Design and deliver advisory, facilitation and project services for First Nations communities, governments and industry, including proposals.
• Develop an industry and philanthropic partnership pipeline and coordinate funding approaches with ANU Advancement.
• Oversee communications and media strategy and coordinate events that share research outcomes and build support for policy agenda.
• Manage agreements, budgets, procurement, risk, reporting and evaluation, and advise on opportunities and issues.
• Represent the Centre in forums and contribute to planning, governance and reporting while protecting ICIP and Indigenous Data Sovereignty.

Skills

Stakeholder engagement

Partnership development

Proposal development

Cross-sector collaboration

Indigenous engagement

Education

Postgraduate qualifications in business or related field

Job description

The Centre for Indigenous Economic Transformation (CIET) is a First Nations-led policy centre at The Australian National University, advancing First Nations economic self-determination. Through research, policy, partnerships and education, CIET works alongside First Nations leaders and rights holders, governments, industry and investors to influence economic and institutional reform, strengthen capability and expand opportunities for First Nations peoples to build and manage wealth.

Key Duties

• Reporting to the Deputy Director, the Partnerships Manager develops and manages the relationships, services and engagement activities that connect First Nations communities and organisations, governments and the private sector with the Centre's research, policy and institutional capabilities, and builds the partnerships and income that support the Centre's long-term sustainability.
• Developing and implementing the Centre's partnerships and business development plan, aligned with First Nations leadership and agreed priorities.
• Building and maintaining trusted relationships with First Nations communities and organisations, recognising cultural authority and supporting self-determined outcomes.
• Designing and delivering consulting-style advisory, facilitation and project services for First Nations communities and organisations, governments and industry, including scoping opportunities, coordinating expertise, preparing proposals and supporting high-quality delivery.
• Building an industry and philanthropic partnership pipeline, developing compelling cases for support and coordinating stewardship, due diligence and funding approaches with ANU Advancement.
• Overseeing and implementing the Centre's communications and media strategy, supported by the Senior Impact and Communications Officer.
• Coordinating seminars, roundtables, dialogues and other events that share research outcomes, deepen relationships and build support for the Centre's policy agenda.
• Managing agreements, plans, budgets, procurement, risk, records, reporting and evaluation, and advising on progress, opportunities and emerging issues.
• Representing the Centre in relevant forums and contributing to Centre-wide planning, governance and reporting, while protecting ICIP and supporting Indigenous Data Sovereignty.

Key Skills and Capabilities

• Postgraduate qualifications in business, communications, public policy, Indigenous studies, community development or a related field, with substantial relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of experience, education and training.
• Demonstrated success building and sustaining strategic partnerships across First Nations communities and organisations, industry, philanthropy, government, academia and other sectors.
• Experience developing advisory, consulting or partnership-based services, including opportunity identification, service design, proposal development, stakeholder coordination and delivery.
• High-level Indigenous cultural knowledge and judgement, with extensive experience working respectfully with diverse Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and organisations, applying culturally safe, rights-based approaches including FPIC, ICIP and Indigenous Data Sovereignty.
• Demonstrated experience implementing communications and engagement strategies and translating research or policy into clear, accessible content for diverse audiences.
• Strong program, project and event management capability, including managing competing priorities, agreements, budgets, procurement, risk, reporting and evaluation.
• Excellent communication, facilitation, negotiation and influencing skills, with the judgement and credibility to represent the Centre and manage complex stakeholder interests.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively, lead multidisciplinary project teams and contribute to a culturally safe, accountable and high-performing workplace.

Please submit applications in Word format only by Friday 20th November 2026.