"Director of Aboriginal Leadership"

Director - Aboriginal Leadership in the Thriving Families SA Initiative

We are seeking a Director to provide strategic Aboriginal leadership - offering a competitive and commensurate package to match the experience brought plus an employer contribution of 17% superannuation.

3 Years Fixed Term - Full-time opportunity with a possible extension.

The BetterStart Group, Adelaide University’s School of Public Health, is seeking a Director of Aboriginal Leadership to provide strategic direction and embed Aboriginal leadership at the heart of the Thriving Families SA Initiative. Working alongside University co-leads and the Director of Thriving Families, this role will formalise a co-leadership alliance with the Aboriginal Community-Controlled sector. Grounded in cultural excellence, equity, and shared decision-making, this partnership affirms the cultural authority of Aboriginal communities in shaping solutions for their children and families.

Thriving Families brings together nearly 60 non-government organisations committed to transforming how South Australia supports the wellbeing of children, young people, families, and communities. The Director will provide strategic leadership to support system change focused on prevention and early support. You will work closely with the Thriving Families Director to embed Aboriginal leadership and shared decision making, strengthening the cultural authority of Aboriginal communities in shaping solutions for their children and families.

BetterStart is an interdisciplinary team based in the School of Public Health at Adelaide University, with expertise spanning epidemiology, psychology, social work, and public health. Our focus is on improving wellbeing across the first 1000 days of life, early childhood education, child protection, mental health, and social equity, generating evidence to inform policy and practice that benefits children, young people, families, and communities.

To be successful you will need:

To be a bold, strategic leader with the vision, courage, and credibility to drive long-term change in the systems that support children, young people, families and communities. You will bring:

• Proven Aboriginal leadership and cultural authority with a deep understanding of Aboriginal knowledge systems, values, and priorities, and the ability to embed these across governance, strategy, and program design.
• Strong connections with Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisations and communities, with a demonstrated track record of building trusted, authentic, and sustainable partnerships.
• Experience in co-leadership and shared decision-making, particularly in working alongside the Aboriginal Community-Controlled sector to drive systemic change.
• Strategic leadership skills to champion Aboriginal voices, influence policy reform, and advocate for culturally safe, trauma-informed, and strengths-based approaches across diverse systems and partners.
• Ability to mentor and foster emerging Aboriginal leaders, nurturing intergenerational leadership and building capacity within communities and partner organisations.
• Strong governance and organisational leadership skills, capable of embedding Aboriginal leadership into decision-making structures and ensuring accountability.
• Demonstrated ability to secure and manage funding opportunities to strengthen the capacity and sustainability of Aboriginal leadership within Thriving Families.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills, with the confidence to represent Aboriginal perspectives at state, national, and international levels.
• This is an identified position for an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person.

Click on the ‘Apply Now’ button to be taken through to the online application form. Please ensure you submit a cover letter, resume, and upload a document that includes your responses to all of the selection criteria for the position as contained in the position description or selection criteria document.

Applications close 11:55pm, Tuesday 7 October 2025.