Indigenous Affairs Manager

Company Description

Join our team as Indigenous Affairs Manager, where you play a crucial role in fostering meaningful relationships with Sodexo Australia’s team members, leaders and site operations, Indigenous communities and partnerships including Sodexo Australia’s clients nationally.

This newly created leadership role, reporting to Director Indigenous Affairs is key to ensure our commitment to reconciliation and inclusion is reflected in all aspects across the business.

The Indigenous Affairs Manager contributes to the implementation and tracking of Sodexo’s Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), whilst managing, leading and developing Indigenous Affairs team members within the portfolio. 

Job Description

Key Responsibilities: 

Leadership and Indigenous Affairs (IA) Team Management: 

• Lead, mentor, and support IA team to foster a culture of respect, empowerment, inclusivity, and oversee engagement within the communities Sodexo Australia has presence partnering with national support services, operational and remote site-based teams. 

• Deliver and empower IA team against Indigenous recruitment and retention, community engagement, procurement and business development strategies through programs, initiatives and other pathways to achieve targets and commitments. 

• Foster performance and professional development of IA team ensuring growth and effectiveness to deliver across IA portfolio and Sodexo Australia’s service delivery commitments. 

• Contribute towards building respectful and culturally safe practices working with Director IA and other key stakeholders to enable inclusion.

Community Engagement and Cultural Led Practices: 

• Build and maintain strong relationships independently or supporting IA team with Traditional Owners, Traditional Custodians and Indigenous communities ensuring their voices and perspectives are informing business practices. 

• Act as a point of contact for Indigenous stakeholders, community partners and IA team to coordinate consultations and monitor engagement programs and initiatives delivered nationally. 

• Identify and influence opportunities to grow capacity and capabilities of Indigenous peoples, economic determination through businesses enterprises and community-controlled organisations. 

Operational and Support Services Advisory: 

• Provide best practice advice to inform capability building, cultural uplift or protocols on matters relating to IA portfolio or community engagements. 

• Liaise with key operational and support services teams regularly and contribute expertise towards service delivery and influence improvement opportunities. 

Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) Implementation and Tracking: 

• Collaborate with Director Indigenous Affairs and IA team to inform, implement, and monitor outcomes and performance in alignment with Sodexo Australia’s values and strategic goals. 

• Oversee strategic partnerships, programs and initiatives with Indigenous peoples, communities and business enterprises aligned with Sodexo Australia’s service delivery commitments. 

• Co-design resources, tools and communication channels related to National Reconciliation Week, NAIDOC and other cultural significant matters to build capability and visibility across Sodexo Australia. 

Monitoring, Tracking and Reporting: 

• Develop tracking related to Indigenous employment, engagement programs and initiatives aligned with Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) to Director Indigenous Affairs and other stakeholders as required. 

• Utilise data and provide visibility of performance across IA portfolio to Director Indigenous Affairs to influence improvements for agreed outcomes. 

• Review cultural and mentoring deliverables, monitoring completion and contribute to design effective cultural uplift frameworks. 

Qualifications

Education and Experience: 

• Bachelor’s degree in Indigenous Studies, Social Sciences, Business Management, or equivalent experience. 

• Minimum 5 years’ experience in a similar role leading and developing high performance national teams within Indigenous Affairs or national level. 

• Extensive experience and demonstrated outcomes in delivering Indigenous employment, procurement, Traditional Owner, Traditional Custodian and Community engagement programs and initiatives. 

• Demonstrated ‘lived experience’ and broader understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and engagement with community. 

• Experience or background in client services and infrastructure management in corporate, energy and resources and or remote site environments. 

Knowledge & Skills: 

• Demonstrated understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, issues, diversity and inclusion, and principles of reconciliation delivered through Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). 

• Proven leadership abilities, with experience in managing and developing highly effective and performing teams. 

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders and service delivery client representatives. 

• Strong organisational skills with ability to manage multiple projects, prioritising needs of business and stakeholders simultaneously. 

• Proficiency in using various points of data and analytics to drive decision-making and track progress. 

Additional Information

Why choose Sodexo? 
Sodexo is a people business, employing over half a million people worldwide and thousands here in Australia. Our employees, who personify Sodexo's unique values of Service Spirit, Team Spirit and Spirit of Progress, are our greatest asset through their commitment and dedication. 

We believe the more diverse we are, the stronger we are. No matter your background, we will do all we can to help you thrive. We are committed to promoting equal opportunities, valuing diversity, and creating an inclusive working environment for all our employees.

At Sodexo, we are a proud Equal Opportunity Employer and encourage applications from all applicants regardless of age, race, sex, ethnicity, religion and beliefs and people with disabilities. 

We offer a competitive salary, many development opportunities and an outstanding benefits and recognition program!

How to apply? 
If you are interested in joining the Sodexo team and meet the minimum criteria outlined above, please apply with your resume detailing relevant employment experience and availability.

One of our friendly recruiters will contact shortlisted candidates for a phone interview. This will also be your opportunity to ask any questions you may have. 

Submit your application today and become part of the Sodexo family!