Senior First Nations Strategic Program Lead

Blacktown City is a growing and thriving city, located halfway between Sydney City and the Blue Mountains. With 450,000 residents, we are the largest and most diverse city in NSW, spread across 54 suburbs. Blacktown City is vibrant, dynamic and multicultural, home to a large First Nations community and people from more than 180 different birthplaces and languages.

With $24.8 billion regional economy, Blacktown City is also home to 35,000 businesses. Working at Blacktown City Council provides widespread, exciting professional opportunities. Our Council is leading the transformation of Blacktown City and Western Sydney. We are implementing a vision for a modern city, full of opportunity for our residents and businesses.

Our Council is led by highly skilled and experienced professionals, working with talented and passionate teams across a diverse range of business units. We are delivering high quality, customer-focused services, experiences, and facilities, and leading a program of strategic planning, activity and investment.

Blacktown City Council strives to be an inclusive workplace for all people. We welcome applications from all ages and genders, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people from culturally diverse backgrounds, the LGBTIQ+ community, veterans and people with disabilities.

About the opportunity

We are seeking an experience and motivated Senior First Nations Strategic Program Lead on a permanent, full-time basis, to work at a strategic level and support Council in delivering a focus area in our Community Strategic Plan. 

The successful candidate will drive the integration and delivery of Aboriginal cultural, social, environmental and economic values. These objectives are realised at various scales throughout the organisation. You will provide strategic leadership relating to reconciliation, diversity and inclusion, public art, infrastructure, development, heritage and land use/management. An ideal candidate will influence infrastructure planning, design and delivery, to embed First Nation principles across a range of transformational and city-wide projects.

Qualifications and experience

Essential:

• Degree qualification in Arts majoring in Aboriginal studies or in a related field
  
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal culture and the ability to communicate sensitively and effectively with Traditional Owner Groups and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
  
• Extensive experience in providing high level cultural expertise within a large organisation
  
• Demonstrated skills and experience in leading teams to develop and deliver strategies, projects and programs that strengthen Aboriginal communities
  
• Knowledge and experience in the development of policy, processes and structures that result in the integrated delivery of outcomes
  
• Demonstrated ability to initiate and oversee strategic plans and programs and to achieve high level stakeholder and organisational buy-in
  
• Demonstrated ability to develop, manage and oversee business plans, programs, policies and associated resources, communications, governance, budgetary and financial management requirements
• Communication skills, both written and verbal including the ability to prepare comprehensive reports and make recommendations
  
• Skills in negotiating and persuading stakeholders
  
• Highly developed capacity to articulate and implement complex strategic initiatives including the capability to plan, manage change, improve performance and project manage
  
• High level organisational skills and the ability to work in a semi-autonomous environment
  
• Ability to analyse and interpret a wide range of information and issues
  
• Good working knowledge and ability to use computer systems
  
• Current class C driver’s licence.

Desirable:

• Highly developed interpersonal, influencing and negotiation skills with extensive experience engaging, collaborating and influencing key stakeholders and customers at a senior executive level to influence and achieve optimal business outcomes
• Experience and proven ability to engage with Blacktown City based Aboriginal organisations, communities and individuals to foster productive and harmonious working relationships
• An in depth understanding of local government accountability and legislation
• Availability to work flexible working hours.

Remuneration and benefits

The salary and conditions of employment are in accordance with Blacktown City Council’s Enterprise Agreement.

• Entry level for this position starts at $2,735.37 per week
• 35-hour working week 
• Leaseback vehicle
• Opportunity to participate in Council's flextime arrangement
• Employee benefits such as leave entitlements (where applicable), 12% employer contribution payable to your nominated superannuation fund, Fitness Passport, gym membership discounts, and social clubs.

Our commitment to safety

Blacktown City Council is committed to safety. We have introduced alcohol and other drug testing at the pre-employment phase, and via a series of random and cause testing.

We are a child safe organisation that supports and promotes the safety, wellbeing and empowerment of children.

Position description 

Click here to view or download the position description.

  Apply now using our fast and easy-to-use online application process:

1. Have your resume and any other relevant documentation ready to attach. 
2. Have a personal email address ready to use and complete your application without 'logging out' of the system.
3. Review the questions and decide on your responses before commencing your application.
   
   Best of luck.

Closing date:           Friday 14 November 2025, 11.59 pm    

Contact officer:       Alicia Talbot on 9839 6527

Internal ref:              BCC2069