• Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI)

• Full-time permanent position

• Position open to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates only

• Base salary will be in the range $138,006.49 - $145,943.50 + 17% Superannuation (HEW Level 9)

• Based at our St Lucia Campus

Strategic Leader – Indigenous Engagement Senior Manager – Identified s25

We’re looking for a visionary leader to drive Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander engagement across the QAAFI Institute. This is a unique opportunity to shape Indigenous-led research, education, and career pathways, strengthen partnerships with community and industry, and embed culturally appropriate practices across the Institute.

What You’ll Do

• Lead QAAFI’s Indigenous engagement strategies, frameworks, and governance structures

• Build and maintain partnerships with industry, community, and academic stakeholders

• Support Indigenous staff, students, and researchers through professional development, career pathways, and culturally safe initiatives

• Collaborate with DPI, Faculty of Science, and UQ offices to align research, education, and employment strategies

• Promote and communicate Indigenous engagement activities and achievements internally and externally

Report to the QAAFI Director Institute Operations and be part of the QAAFI Executive Team, you’ll have the opportunity to make a lasting impact, shaping research, education, and career opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples while fostering an inclusive, supportive, and high-performing environment.

For further information, please click here to view the information booklet.

About UQ

As part of the UQ community, you will have the opportunity to work alongside the brightest minds, who have joined us from all over the world.

Everyone here has a role to play. As a member of our professional staff cohort, you will be actively involved in working towards our vision of a better world. By supporting the academic endeavour across teaching, research, and the student life, you will have the opportunity to contribute to activities that have a lasting impact on our community.

Join a community where excellence is at the core of our culture, contributions are valued and a range of benefits and rewards are available, such as:

• Up to 26 weeks paid parental leave/paid primary care leave

• 17% superannuation contributions + 17.5% annual leave loading

• Access to flexible working arrangements including hybrid working options, flexible start/finish times, purchased leave, and a condensed fortnight

• Health and wellness discounts – fitness passport access, free yearly flu vaccinations, discounted health insurance, and access to our Employee Assistance Program for staff and their immediate family

• Career development opportunities –access to exclusive internal-only vacancies and our Study for Staff program

• On campus childcare options

• Affordable parking (from just $6.40 a day)

• Salary packaging options

At UQ, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are supported to fill their cultural responsibilities, with access to 8 additional days (pro-rata) of paid Cultural Leave annually. Indigenous employees are encouraged to access the UQ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Staff Network with a variety of significant events held throughout the year.

About You

The University of Queensland considers that being Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander is a genuine occupational requirement for this position under s25 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1991(Qld) and the filling of this position constitute a special/equal opportunity measure under section 8(1) of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth). 

The position is therefore only open to Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people.

The successful candidate will be required to provide evidence to confirm that they are an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person. 

• Qualifications and training equivalent of a postgraduate degree, or an equivalent combination of relevant experience and/or education/training.

• Excellent interpersonal skills appropriate for interacting with both Indigenous and non-Indigenous stakeholders including possessing the requisite initiative, drive, and flexibility to achieve results.

• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal cultural heritage, economic development issues and the ability to correctly identify Traditional Owner Groups and engage effectively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

• Complex communication skills, including facilitation, the ability to prepare comprehensive reports and make recommendations, conflict management, complaints resolution, presentation skills, strategic relationship management and a proven track record of influencing others to achieve co-operation at senior levels with internal, external stakeholders and the community.

• Demonstrated ability to initiate and implement strategic plans and programs and to effect high level stakeholder and organisational buy-in with proven ability to manage effectively through ambiguity to achieve strategic outcomes.

• Exceptional organisational skills with the demonstrated ability to meet deadlines, commitment to quality outcomes, ability to work under pressure and establish priorities regarding workload and to work both independently and within a team.

Desirable

Experience in liaising and collaborating with external agencies to develop research initiatives.

Additional Criteria

The successful candidate may be required to complete a number of pre-employment checks, including: right to work in Australia, criminal check and education check.

Questions? 

For more information about this opportunity, please contact Dr Michael O’Shea – michael.oshea@uq.edu.au

For application inquiries, please reach out to the Talent Acquisition team at talent@uq.edu.au, stating the job reference number R-59016 in the subject line. 

Want to Apply? 

We welcome applications from all individuals and are committed to an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. To be considered, please ensure you upload:

• Resume

• A cover letter summarising how your background aligns with the 'About You' section

Our strength as an institution lies in our diverse colleagues. We're dedicated to equity, diversity, and inclusion, fostering an environment that mirrors our wider community. We're committed to attracting, retaining, and promoting diverse talent. If you require an alternative method to submit your application due to accessibility needs or personal circumstances, please contact talent@uq.edu.au.

Other Information 

UQ is committed to a fair, equitable and inclusive selection process, which recognises that some applicants may face additional barriers and challenges which have impacted and/or continue to impact their career trajectory. Candidates who don’t meet all criteria are encouraged to apply and demonstrate their potential. The selection panel considers both potential and performance relative to opportunities when assessing suitability for the role.

Applications close Sunday March 1st 2026 at 11.00pm AEST (R-59016).