Position:Cultural Heritage Unit Manager

Duration:Full-time, ongoing

Location:Abbotsford office with flexible work arrangements

About Us
The Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation is a Registered Aboriginal Party (RAP) appointed under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006 (Vic.). We represent the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Traditional Owners of Melbourne and the Greater Melbourne region and take great pride in our responsibility for protecting and managing Aboriginal cultural heritage objects and places on Wurundjeri Country.

The Corporation provides a range of cultural services, including environmental land management, cross-cultural education, traditional Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremonies, research, and cultural consultations.

The Role
The Cultural Heritage Unit Manager provides strategic leadership, governance oversight and operational management of the Cultural Heritage Unit to ensure the effective protection, management and advancement of Aboriginal cultural heritage across Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Country.

As a Senior Leader of the Corporation, the position is responsible for directing the Corporation’s Registered Aboriginal Party (RAP) functions and ensuring compliance with all statutory obligations under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006 (Vic.) and associated Regulations. The role leads a multidisciplinary team responsible for the assessment, evaluation and management of Cultural Heritage Management Plans (CHMPs), Cultural Heritage Permits (CHPs), heritage agreements, compliance activities and cultural heritage advisory services.

The Cultural Heritage Unit Manager works in close partnership with Wurundjeri Elders, Traditional Owners, the CEO, Deputy CEO,



and Senior Leadership team to advance the Corporation’s strategic objectives, strengthen cultural authority in decision-making and advocate for the protection of Wurundjeri cultural heritage and cultural landscapes.

The role is accountable for fostering a high-performing, culturally safe and values-driven team culture while maintaining productive relationships with government agencies, planning authorities, developers, consultants, industry stakeholders and community organisations.

The position is expected to exercise sound judgement in complex cultural heritage matters, provide specialist expert advice to executive leadership and the Board, and champion best-practice Aboriginal cultural heritage management across the Corporation’s area of responsibility.

Key Responsibilities

- Provide strategic leadership and direction for the Cultural Heritage Unit consistent with the Corporation’s Strategic Plan, Annual Business Plan, and cultural objectives.
- Develop and implement long-term cultural heritage priorities, policies and initiatives that strengthen cultural heritage outcomes on Wurundjeri Country.
- Support the CEO and Board through the provision of expert professional advice regarding cultural heritage legislation, policy, and emerging sector issues.
- Identify emerging opportunities,



risks and legislative changes affecting Wurundjeri cultural heritage interests and develop strategic responses.
- Oversee the assessment and evaluation of Cultural Heritage Management Plans (CHMPs), Cultural Heritage Permits (CHPs), and other statutory heritage applications.
- Ensure statutory responsibilities are delivered in accordance with legislative requirements, prescribed timeframes and organisational standards.
- Provide authoritative interpretation of the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006, Aboriginal Heritage Regulations 2026 and associated policy frameworks.
- Lead, develop and mentor Cultural Heritage Unit employees through effective supervision, coaching and performance management.
- Build a high-performance culture founded on accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement and cultural integrity.
- Contribute to the development and management of Cultural Heritage Unit budgets.
- Monitor service delivery, performance metrics, and resource allocation.
- Identify opportunities for operational improvement and increased effectiveness.
- Advocate for Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung rights and interests as Traditional Owners and act as a role model for the Wurundjeri Corporation in all that you do.

Skills, Qualifications and Experience

- Minimum 10 years’ experience in Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Management, Archaeology or a related discipline.
- Demonstrated Senior Leadership experience managing specialist skilled teams.
- Extensive experience assessing and evaluating Cultural Heritage Management Plans and Cultural Heritage Permits within Victoria.
- Significant experience working respectfully and effectively with Aboriginal and Torres Strai

📌 Strategic Cultural Heritage Unit Leader (Melbourne)
🏢 Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal
📍 Melbourne