Head of First Nations Planning and Delivery

Role: Head of First Nations Planning and Delivery

Location: Australia Wide

Employment Type: Permanent, Full-time

This is an identified position for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander applicants.

Are you a strategic leader ready to translate bold commitments into real, measurable change?

At Goodstart, we’re committed to creating meaningful and lasting outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, families, communities and employees through culturally safe practice, equity, opportunity and shared accountability.

We're seeking a Head of First Nations Planning and Delivery to lead the implementation of Goodstart's First Nations Strategy, Reconciliation commitments and Stretch RAP priorities across the organisation.

Reporting to the Chief First Nations Officer, you’ll lead the planning, coordination and delivery of First Nations initiatives across Goodstart. You’ll work with leaders across the organisation to build capability, strengthen accountability, monitor progress and ensure our commitments translate into meaningful outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, families and communities.  

Why Join Goodstart?

At Goodstart, we're committed to increasing First Nations representation across our organisation and creating a workplace where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples feel valued, respected and supported.

Through our First Nations Employment Strategy, dedicated support networks and commitment to Reconciliation, we strive to provide a culturally safe environment where First Nations employees can build meaningful and rewarding careers.

Your Impact:

In this role, you will:

• Lead the implementation and delivery of Goodstart’s First Nations Strategy, Stretch RAP commitments and associated action plans.
• Translate strategic priorities into enterprise-wide operational plans, programs, milestones and success measures.
• Build strong relationships and influence leaders across the organisation to support successful implementation and sustainable change.
• Develop and empower the team through coaching, capability building and clear leadership that creates alignment, accountability and shared purpose.
• Establish governance frameworks, performance measures and accountability mechanisms that demonstrate progress and impact.
• Coordinate enterprise-wide delivery of First Nations initiatives across business units and functional areas.
• Lead data collection, evaluation and performance reporting to the Chief First Nations Officer, Executive Team, Board committees and RAP Working Group.
• Use data, research and insights to inform decision-making and drive continuous improvement.
• Build trusted partnerships with internal stakeholders and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations and communities.
• Strengthen capability and support teams to embed culturally safe and responsive ways of working across the organisation.

What Goodstart can offer you:

• Flexible work arrangements giving you choice about when and how work will be done in order to better manage your work and non-work needs
• First Nations Cultural Leave and dedicated support initiatives
• Opportunity to connect with First Nations employee networks and have your voice heard through First Nations leadership and advisory groups
• Access to Goodstart's First Nations Community Immersion Program and other cultural learning experiences that deepen connection, understanding and impact.
• Be part of an organisation committed to increasing First Nations representation through employment pathways, traineeships, internships and leadership opportunities.
• Work alongside leaders who are committed to Reconciliation and creating culturally safe workplaces where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples feel valued, respected and supported.
• Salary packaging benefits available through AccessPay (eligibility applies)
• Access to discounted childcare (up to 15%)
• Fitness Passport - access to gyms and pools for you and your family at a heavily discounted price
• Discounted health care and access to employee wellbeing program with BUPA
• Exclusive discounts on travel, gym memberships, Apple and Dell products, and more.
• Free annual flu shot (optional)
• Option to purchase extra leave for even greater work life balance  
• Work for a company that has an aspiration to be globally recognised for early years practice and learning outcomes
• Gain significant investment in your growth and development with support, tools, training and experiences that will truly enhance the progress and outcomes for children in their earliest years.

You’ll bring to the table:

You’ll be a respected Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander leader who can confidently move between strategic thinking and practical delivery. You’ll know how to bring people together, build capability, create alignment and turn commitments into meaningful outcomes.

You’ll also bring:

• Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander identity (Identified position).
• Significant experience leading strategy implementation, transformation, program delivery or operational execution within a large and complex organisation.
• Demonstrated success leading, coaching and developing high-performing multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong experience establishing governance, performance measurement, evaluation and reporting frameworks.
• Strong program, project and change leadership capability.
• Experience using data and evidence to drive decision-making and continuous improvement.
• Highly developed stakeholder engagement, influencing and partnership management skills.
• Experience working effectively across executive, operational and community stakeholder groups.
• A demonstrated commitment to reconciliation, equity and social justice outcomes.
• Excellent communication, facilitation and relationship-building skills.
• Current Working with Children Check

• Willingness to obtain a Certificate of Completion for the National Child Safety Foundation Training, completed via Geccko platform

How to apply

Click ‘Apply Now’ and submit your application.

We review applications as they are submitted. We encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible for your best chance to progress to the next stage of the process.

Have a question? Contact our Talent Acquisition Team via email vkundoorvala@goodstart.org.au

At Goodstart we are deeply committed to Reconciliation and encourage Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people to apply. For further information and support email deadlycareers@goodstart.org.au

If you are a placement agency or external recruiter, please refrain from submitting resumes to Goodstart unless you have a signed staffing agency agreement with us. Goodstart will not be responsible for or pay any placement fees for candidates submitted by agencies that are not approved suppliers. Any resumes received from agencies or external recruiters without an agreement will be reviewed by Goodstart and may be shared with our internal recruiting team for their reference.

Supporting our people and protecting our children

We’re an equal opportunity employer that is proud of our inclusive and diverse work environment. We know that Goodstarters from diverse cultures, backgrounds and experiences strengthen our teams and help us grow. We’re also deeply committed to Reconciliation and creating an environment where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People feel a strong sense of belonging and connection.

Safety is our priority and we will take any action necessary to ensure that all children can feel safe and be safe, and are safeguarded from abuse, neglect and harm. As a Child Safe Organisation, all of our candidates must have or obtain a valid working with children check along with Certificate of Completion for the National Child Safety Foundation Training, completed via Geccko platform