Team Lead, First Nations Student Support

The University of Adelaide; Adelaide; On-site; AUD 104,000 - 116,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Adelaide invites applications for a Team Lead, First Nations Student Support. You will lead a small team, mentor staff and coordinate services to deliver high-quality, student-centred support across the campus.

A key focus is building culturally safe partnerships with First Nations communities, delivering tailored programs and continuous improvement in wellbeing and safety outcomes for students and staff.

Qualifications

• Experience leading and developing staff within a student support or community-focused setting.
• Strong understanding of First Nations cultural protocols and community engagement.
• Ability to design and deliver culturally safe, tailored student support services.
• Proven capability to manage sensitive cases with emotional intelligence.
• Experience driving service improvements using feedback and data.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor and develop staff to deliver high-quality, student-centred services.
• Coordinate operations and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
• Support First Nations students and staff by fostering culturally safe environments.
• Build strong relationships with First Nations communities and organisations.
• Collaborate with campus teams to strengthen service delivery and outcomes.

Skills

Team leadership

Staff mentoring

First Nations engagement

Customer service

Process improvement

Job description

Team Lead, First Nations Student Support

• The University of Adelaide
• Australia, SA
• Aug 28, 2026

Full Time - Continuing

About The University of Adelaide

The University of Adelaide is a uniquely rewarding workplace. The size, breadth and quality of our education and research programs - including significant industry, government and community collaborations - offers you vast scope and…

• Salary Range: (HEO 7) $103,719 - $116,002 per annum (plus 17% superannuation)

At Adelaide University, we create the opportunities you need to achieve your ambitions – because when you thrive, we thrive.

We are transforming education for contemporary learners and global citizens. Building on a proud legacy and shaped by bold ambition, it’s a place of excellence and equity, where our vibrant community of staff are united by our purpose to inspire Australia’s future change-makers and create a better tomorrow.

Work that matters

The role requires a strong focus on team leadership, operational coordination and continuous improvement, with responsibility for leading, mentoring and developing staff to deliver high-quality, student-centred services.

A key focus is supporting First Nations students and staff by nurturing culturally safe and inclusive environments, developing tailored support initiatives, building strong relationships with First Nations communities and organisations, to support best practice processes and strengthen service delivery and outcomes.

Curious to learn more? Explore the full role description above to discover more about this opportunity.

The team

This role works closely with First Nations students, Staff within the Student Wellbeing and Safety Sub-Function, Deputy Vice Chancellor –First Nations, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and organisations, and Government and non-government agencies.

Our people are guided by purpose, curiosity and a commitment to lifelong learning. We embrace authenticity, innovation and collaboration, and harness diverse thinking in our pursuit of excellence.

This role is perfect for someone who enjoys variety and meeting new people. You will experience a range of tasks and interactions, keeping your workday interesting and engaging. Perfect for those who excel in customer-facing environments, this campus-based role involves providing exceptional service and support to students, staff or stakeholders.

Learn more about our people, what we stand for and what we offer at Careers at AU .

Experience

To join our community and thrive in this role, you will likely have the following skills and experience:

• Experience leading, mentoring and coaching a team including staff supervision, coaching and performance development within a student support or community‑focused environment
• Experience working with First Nations peoples with a deep understanding of cultural protocols, community engagement and challenges impacting First Nations students in higher education
• Proven ability to deliver culturally safe and responsive services including the design and implementation of tailored student support services
• Proven ability to manage sensitive cases with strong emotional intelligence, interpersonal and relationship‑building skills
• Proven ability to implement process improvements using feedback, surveys and data to drive service enhancements
• Experience working collaboratively within a customer service culture and team‑based environment

Our commitment to inclusion and diversity

We are committed to nurturing a culture of inclusion where diversity is celebrated and everyone feels respected and valued. Adelaide University is an equal opportunity employer, committed to creating a safe, inclusive, and equitable workplace where everyone can thrive. We strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with disability, and people of all ages, genders, cultural backgrounds, sexual orientations, and gender identities. We are committed to supporting flexible working arrangements and providing reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process.

Pursuant to Section 56 part 2 of the Equal Opportunity Act 1984 (as amended) (SA) applications are invited from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people only.