Aboriginal Policy & Engagement Manager

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Identified

Make your mark where policy and Aboriginal community voice come together.

This is a rare opportunity to step into a leadership role with a NSW peak body working to influence systemic change across the domestic and family violence sector.

As Aboriginal Policy & Engagement Manager, you’ll bring your knowledge, relationships and cultural expertise to a role with genuine influence. Working closely with government, Aboriginal community-controlled organisations, DVNSW Members, DFV services and sector stakeholders, you’ll help shape policy and practice that responds to the experiences and needs of Aboriginal women, children, families and communities.

This is more than a policy role. It’s an opportunity to ensure Aboriginal voices are heard, respected and embedded in the decisions that shape the DFV sector.

The opportunity

Reporting directly to the CEO and sitting as part of the management team, you’ll lead the organisation’s Aboriginal policy and engagement agenda while providing cultural leadership across the organisation.

Your work will include

- Leading policy input and advice relating to Aboriginal communities, DFV and Closing the Gap.

- Building and maintaining strong relationships with NSW Government, Aboriginal community-controlled organisations, DVNSW members and other key stakeholders.

- Supporting Aboriginal community consultation and ensuring community perspectives inform policy and systemic advocacy.

- Providing governance and secretariat support to the DVNSW Aboriginal Steering Committee.

- Working alongside the sector to identify workforce challenges and systemic gaps affecting Aboriginal workers and services.

- Helping strengthen engagement with Aboriginal-controlled DFV organisations.





- Contributing to the development and implementation of First Nations governance and cultural frameworks.

- Providing cultural guidance and supporting the organisation to embed culturally safe ways of working.

- Leading, mentoring and supporting an Aboriginal-identified Policy Officer.

- Representing the organisation and the NSW DFV sector on relevant state and national committees and working groups.

You’ll also contribute to the broader management team and strategic priorities of the organisation, with the opportunity to influence work well beyond your immediate portfolio.

The role offers

- Leadership-level influence, reporting directly to the CEO.

- The opportunity to shape policy and systemic change across NSW.

- Genuine engagement with government and Aboriginal community-controlled organisations.

- Flexible working arrangements.

- Salary packaging.

- Ongoing supervision, professional development and mentoring.

- Dedicated wellbeing support, including external cultural supervision.

About you

We’re looking for an experienced Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander professional who brings strong policy expertise, deep community knowledge and the relationships to make things happen.

You’ll ideally bring

- Senior-level experience across policy, community engagement, justice, social services or a related field.

- Strong knowledge and understanding of NSW Aboriginal communities and the impact of DFV on Aboriginal women, children,



families and communities.

- Experience working within the domestic and family violence sector or an adjacent sector.

- A solid understanding of the NSW Government policy environment.

- Demonstrated experience developing policy positions and providing strategic advice.

- Experience leading consultation and engagement with Aboriginal communities, government and other stakeholders.

- Established relationships across Aboriginal community-controlled organisations and relevant sector networks.

- Experience leading, mentoring and developing staff.

- Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to navigate complex stakeholder environments.

- A collaborative, solutions-focused approach and the ability to listen deeply and work respectfully across different perspectives.

- Experience in a not-for-profit, membership or peak body environment would be highly regarded.

Importantly, formal qualifications are not the only measure of expertise for this role. The organisation recognises that knowledge, leadership and capability can be developed through lived experience, work and community involvement.

Why this role?

You’ll be joining a collaborative and high-performing team where your expertise will be genuinely valued and where there is a strong commitment to cultural safety, professional development and wellbeing.

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

If you’re an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander leader with the policy expertise, community relationships and passion to influence meaningful change across the NSW DFV sector, we’d love to hear from you.

Apply now or contact Chris at Brightside Recruitment for a confidential conversation.

**@brightsiderecruitment.com.au

0432 029

📌 Aboriginal Policy and Engagement Manager (Sydney)
🏢 Brightside Recruitment
📍 Sydney