- Leadership Opportunity
- Full time ongoing position
- Location: Adelaide metropolitan area / Kaurna Country
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As South Australia’s largest vocational education and training provider, TAFE SA is seeking a highly capable leader to drive its Closing the Gap strategy, providing organisation‑wide leadership to strengthen outcomes for First Nations peoples and communities. The role plays a pivotal part in advancing TAFE SA’s First Nations priorities by embedding culturally informed approaches, strengthening community partnerships, and improving participation, representation and outcomes across the organisation.
The Senior Manager, Closing the Gap Strategy provides strategic leadership for TAFE SA’s efforts to improve outcomes for First Nations peoples and communities through vocational education and training. The role leads the implementation of the First Nations Priority Plan and Closing the Gap commitments, ensuring a coordinated, organisation-wide approach to policy, planning, performance and community engagement. Working across all business areas, the position drives initiatives to strengthen First Nations participation, workforce representation and community partnerships, while embedding cultural knowledge, lived experience and community priorities into organisational decision-making and strategy.
Role Overview
Reporting to the Executive Director, Regions and Community, you will:
- Lead the implementation of TAFE SA’s First Nations Priority Plan and Closing the Gap strategy, driving organisation-wide initiatives to improve outcomes for First Nations peoples and communities.
- Provide strategic leadership and advice, guiding complex programs, policy development and cross-functional initiatives to strengthen cultural inclusion, participation and capability.
- Oversee governance and performance frameworks, ensuring accountability, culturally informed decision-making and alignment with national commitments and organisational priorities.
- Build strong partnerships with First Nations communities and stakeholders, embedding cultural knowledge, lived experience and community priorities into organisational planning, programs and service delivery.
Key Requirements
You are a respected leader with:
- Strong cultural authority and connection to First Nations communities, with deep knowledge of First Nations cultures, histories and communities across South Australia.
- Proven leadership in driving First Nations strategy and systems change, embedding cultural perspectives into policy, programs and organisational decision-making.
- Extensive experience in culturally informed governance, establishing frameworks that strengthen accountability, cultural safety and strategic outcomes.
- Demonstrated success delivering First Nations strategies and outcomes, using data and community insight to improve participation, engagement and skills development.
- Capability to build cultural safety and workforce capability, leading organisation-wide change through policy, practice uplift and learning initiatives.
- Highly developed stakeholder engagement and executive advisory skills, working effectively with Elders, communities, government and peak bodies to drive impact.
Desirable
- Experience within the VET/TAFE or broader education sector.
- Understanding of South Australian and Commonwealth First Nations program funding and systems.
Qualifications:
- Relevant qualifications in Indigenous studies, education/training, public policy, leadership or related fields.
Why Join TAFE SA?
This is a rare opportunity to influence education at scale and contribute directly to the prosperity and wellbeing of South Australia. You will lead with purpose, shape the future workforce, and leave a legacy of impact through public education.
At TAFE SA, our values shape how we work — We Work As One, We Do What Matters, and We Step Up.
Learn more about our values and what it’s like to work at TAFE SA: TAFESA Values
Conditions: National Police Check, South Australia DHS Working with Children Check, eligibility to work in Australia, and availability for out-of-hours and interstate/international travel.
Ready to Take your Next Step?
Applications must be submitted online and should include a brief cover letter (1–2 pages) and a copy of your CV.
For enquiries, please contact Grace Cultura - Talent Acquisition Manager, People & Culture via email at [email protected]
Inclusion and Flexibility Statement
Be you, be valued, be included. At TAFE SA, we celebrate diversity and encourage all applicants including First Nations peoples, Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities, LGBTIQA+ individuals, people with disability, and neurodiverse talent. Need support applying? Let us know!
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