Lead with cultural capability and purpose to inspire Macquarie University Indigenous students to follow their path.
- Salary Package: $114,992 - $124,676 (HEW 7) per annum, plus 17% superannuation and annual leave loading
- Appointment Type: Full-time (35 hours per week), continuing position
- Macquarie University, Wallumattagal Campus, North Ryde
Walanga Muru is seeking an experienced and community-focused Indigenous Student Engagement Coordinator to lead and strengthen the Walanga Muru Engagement team.
**Identified Position**
This is an identified role and is open only to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander applicants.
As part of the recruitment process, we will ask you to provide documentation to confirm your Aboriginality. Your cultural capability will also be assessed through the recruitment process.
Aboriginality and/or Torres Strait Islander identity is a genuine occupational qualification for this position and is authorised under section 14(d) of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 (NSW).
About the Role
This is a meaningful opportunity to shape the engagement and academic success of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students at Macquarie University, fostering a sense of belonging and community while encouraging pathways to further study and employment. In this role, you will draw on your cultural capability, lived experience, and professional expertise to build purposeful partnerships, deliver tailored initiatives, and guide a team focused on student success.
As an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person, you will bring cultural knowledge and community connection to everything you do, from designing programs that reflect student needs to cultivating relationships with internal and external stakeholders that open doors for Indigenous students.
Reporting to the Director, Walanga Muru, the Indigenous Student Engagement Coordinator is the senior member of the Engagement team and provides leadership, guidance and mentoring to ensure high-quality, culturally grounded program delivery.
Key responsibilities include:
Developing a sense of belonging and community for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students at Macquarie University.
Researching and identifying relevant organisations and stakeholders and recommending opportunities for new partnerships and affiliations.
Building, managing, and sustaining relationships with relevant areas of the University and external stakeholders to provide meaningful opportunities to current students.
Planning, developing, and delivering academic, cultural, and social initiatives aligned with the Indigenous Strategy and tailored to increase engagement and success.
Leading staff in developing and applying strategies to assist students to overcome challenges related to their academic journey.
Collecting and analysing quantitative and qualitative data to ensure quality outcomes and continuous improvement for Walanga Muru and the broader University context.
Coordinating and reporting on enrolment data to inform decisions about effective Indigenous engagement programs, cadetships, and employment opportunities.
Contributing to the broader functions of Walanga Muru.
Complying with relevant EEO and WHS regulations.
This role requires flexibility to work varying hours as required by business demands.
About Walanga Muru
Walanga Muru is Macquarie University’s Indigenous Student Success Centre, within the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) portfolio. It is a culturally safe environment that leads the development and implementation of the University’s Indigenous engagement and advancement strategies.
Working in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, Walanga Muru identifies and addresses barriers to education and employment through outreach, policy development, cultural education and student support initiatives. The team plays a central role in strengthening Indigenous engagement, retention and success at Macquarie University.
About You
You are an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person who brings cultural capability and lived experience to this role, enabling you to work effectively across diverse Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community contexts. You build meaningful relationships, think strategically, and apply evidence-informed approaches to student engagement and achievement.
Selection Criteria:
A bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., Sociology, Communications, Education) or an equivalent combination of education and experience
Demonstrated experience building and maintaining relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and relevant internal and external stakeholders
Experience designing, delivering, and evaluating academic, cultural, and social initiatives aligned with Indigenous strategy, tailored to increase engagement and success
Experience analysing and reporting on data to inform judgement-based decision-making
Demonstrated leadership capability, including mentoring staff and guiding program delivery
Written and verbal communication skills of a high standard, with the ability to adapt across diverse audiences and cultural contexts
Knowledge of the secondary and tertiary education sectors and relevant government policies relating to Indigenous education
Role-Specific Requirements
Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander identity (identified position)
Valid Working with Children Check (or willingness to obtain one prior to commencement)
Qualification Verification Check and a National Police Check Clearance
Current NSW driver’s licence
Capacity for domestic travel
How to Apply
If you are driven, relationship-focused and passionate about creating meaningful and potentially life-changing educational opportunities for Indigenous students, we encourage you to apply.
To be considered for this position, please apply online and attach:
Applications Close: Tuesday 16 June 2026 at 11:59 p.m. (AEST)
We reserve the right to progress or decline an application prior to the application closing date.
*** For enquiries, or a confidential conversation about the role please contact Colleen Mitchell, Director Walanga Muru at [email protected]
Why Join Us?
Macquarie is a university engaged with the real and often complex problems and opportunities that define our lives. Since our foundation in 1964, we have aspired to be a different type of university. Over the years, we have grown to become the centre of a vibrant local and global community. Connect with us today.
We rank amongst the top employers in the Australian Workplace Employers Index, having recently earned a five-star rating in the QS World Rankings with the highest rating for employability. Take a look at the fabulous staff benefits on offer when you work at Macquarie University.
Flexible, hybrid work arrangements
17% Superannuation
Subsidised onsite parking options
Extensive training and professional development programs
Onsite childcare facilities to support working parents
Onsite vacation care during school holidays
Discounted health insurance
Subsidised membership at our Sport & Aquatic Centre
Access to an Employee Assistance Program for free and confidential support
Convenient onsite GP, imaging, and physiotherapy clinics
Pre-Employment Checks
Macquarie University cultivates a workplace defined by safety, ethical conduct, and strong integrity. Prior to completion of an offer of employment, preferred candidates will be required to participate in a combination of pre-employment checks relevant to the role they have applied for.
Your employment is conditional upon the completion and maintenance of all role-required pre-employment or background checks in terms satisfactory to the University.
If you're already part of the Macquarie Group (MQ University, U@MQ, MQ Health, MGSM), you'll need to apply through your employee Workday account.
Applications Close:
16/06/2026 11:59 PM
A Place Where You Belong
At Macquarie, we believe diversity makes us stronger, inclusion drives our success, and belonging inspires us to do our best work. We are proud to foster a community where different backgrounds, identities, and experiences are valued, and where our people are empowered to thrive through supportive leadership, shared responsibility, and a deep commitment to genuine care and respect for our community. Find out more about our vision for a truly inclusive workplace in our Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging Framework.
Flexible Work
At Macquarie, we believe by providing flexibility in when, where and how work is done, we can support our staff to manage their personal commitments, while optimising their work performance and contributions to the University.
