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Engagement and Events Coordinator - Job Opportunity at University of Melbourne

Melbourne, Australia
Full-time
Mid-level
Posted: August 15, 2025
Hybrid
AUD 98,870 - 107,023 per year

Benefits

Comprehensive health insurance coverage through Bupa with institutional discounts providing significant cost savings compared to individual plans
Professional Employee Assistance Program offering confidential counseling and support services enhancing work-life balance
Salary packaging opportunities enabling pre-tax allocation of expenses resulting in increased take-home pay
Flexible work arrangements supporting remote and hybrid work options improving work-life integration
Progressive leave provisions including enhanced parental leave and personal development time
Professional development funding and opportunities for career advancement within Australia's leading university system

Key Responsibilities

Drive strategic implementation of Communications and Engagement Strategy to amplify AFSE's mission and expand stakeholder network across Indigenous communities in Australia, New Zealand, and Pacific Islands
Lead comprehensive management of AFSE Hub operations serving as the primary liaison for space utilization, booking coordination, and user experience optimization
Orchestrate high-impact virtual, in-person, and hybrid events that showcase Atlantic Fellows' transformative work and demonstrate measurable program outcomes to key stakeholders
Champion Indigenous community engagement initiatives directly supporting the university's Murmuk Djerring Indigenous Strategy targets and advancing cultural inclusion objectives

Requirements

Education

Completed degree with relevant coursework

Experience

Relevant work experience in event management or community engagement

Required Skills

Strong event coordination skills Excellent communication abilities Exceptional written and verbal communication skills Experience in content creation and strategy implementation Experience in developing engaging content for diverse audiences Excellent interpersonal skills Ability to work effectively in a team environment Strong creative thinking and problem-solving abilities Demonstrated knowledge and lived experience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, Māori and/or Pacific Island communities and cultures

Certifications

Working with Children Check
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Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

Higher education institutions are increasingly prioritizing Indigenous engagement and reconciliation initiatives, creating specialized roles that bridge academic programs with community outreach. This trend reflects broader societal recognition of Indigenous rights and knowledge systems, driving demand for professionals who can authentically navigate cultural protocols while delivering measurable engagement outcomes. The events industry has permanently shifted toward hybrid delivery models post-pandemic, with organizations requiring coordinators who can seamlessly integrate digital and in-person experiences. This evolution has elevated the strategic importance of events roles, as they now serve as critical touchpoints for stakeholder relationship management and brand positioning. Social equity and inclusion programs are receiving unprecedented funding and institutional support across the Pacific region, particularly in academic settings. This creates a competitive market for professionals who combine event management expertise with deep cultural competency and community engagement experience.

Salary Evaluation

The offered salary range of AUD 98,870-107,023 plus 17% superannuation is highly competitive for mid-level coordinator positions in Australia's education sector. When including superannuation, the total package reaches approximately AUD 115,000-125,000, positioning this role in the upper quartile for similar positions nationally. The fixed-term nature typically commands a 10-15% premium over permanent roles, making this package particularly attractive.

Role Significance

Typically operates within a small, specialized team of 3-5 professionals supporting the broader Atlantic Fellows program, with direct collaboration across multiple university departments and external Indigenous community organizations.
This mid-level position carries significant strategic influence within the Atlantic Fellows program, serving as the primary interface between Fellows, university stakeholders, and Indigenous communities. The role operates with considerable autonomy in event planning and stakeholder management, indicating substantial trust and responsibility from senior leadership.

Key Projects

Annual Atlantic Fellows graduation ceremonies and recognition events Quarterly stakeholder engagement forums featuring Fellows' research presentations Indigenous community celebration events aligned with cultural calendars International conference coordination connecting Pacific region Indigenous leaders Digital content campaigns showcasing program impact and Fellow achievements

Success Factors

Authentic relationship-building with Indigenous communities requires genuine cultural understanding and respect for traditional protocols, moving beyond performative engagement to create meaningful, lasting partnerships that honor Indigenous ways of knowing and being. Strategic event design that balances educational objectives with community celebration, ensuring each gathering serves multiple purposes including knowledge sharing, network building, and cultural strengthening while maintaining appropriate cultural sensitivity. Digital fluency in hybrid event delivery platforms combined with traditional face-to-face engagement skills, enabling seamless experiences that accommodate diverse participant preferences and geographical constraints across the Pacific region. Stakeholder relationship management across complex institutional hierarchies, Indigenous community structures, and international Fellow networks, requiring diplomatic skills and cultural intelligence to navigate varying expectations and communication styles.

Market Demand

High demand driven by institutional commitments to Indigenous reconciliation, increased focus on stakeholder engagement in higher education, and the specialized nature of Pacific region cultural competency requirements.

Important Skills

Critical Skills

Cultural competency with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, Māori, and Pacific Islander communities is absolutely essential as this role serves as a cultural bridge between academic institutions and Indigenous communities. Without authentic understanding of cultural protocols, relationship-building approaches, and historical context, the coordinator cannot effectively serve program participants or advance reconciliation objectives. Event coordination expertise spanning virtual, hybrid, and in-person formats is crucial given the geographical spread of participants across the Pacific region and the post-pandemic shift to flexible event delivery. The ability to create engaging, culturally appropriate experiences across multiple platforms directly impacts program success and stakeholder satisfaction. Strategic communication skills encompassing content creation, stakeholder management, and cross-cultural dialogue are fundamental to advancing program visibility and impact. The coordinator must effectively translate complex social equity concepts for diverse audiences while maintaining cultural sensitivity and academic rigor.

Beneficial Skills

Project management certification and experience with large-scale international events would enhance capability to coordinate complex, multi-stakeholder gatherings involving participants from multiple countries and cultural backgrounds. Digital marketing and social media expertise would support program visibility and Fellow recognition efforts, particularly important for attracting future cohorts and demonstrating program impact to funding bodies and institutional leadership. Grant writing and funding development skills would provide valuable support for program sustainability and expansion, as Indigenous education initiatives often rely on competitive funding sources and philanthropic partnerships.

Unique Aspects

Direct involvement in Indigenous-led social change initiatives across three distinct cultural regions (Australia, Aotearoa New Zealand, Pacific Islands), providing rare exposure to diverse Indigenous knowledge systems and leadership approaches that few roles can offer.
Opportunity to work with Atlantic Fellows who are established change agents in their communities, creating a unique professional network of social justice leaders and innovators who are driving systemic change across the Pacific region.
Integration of traditional Indigenous protocols with contemporary university systems, requiring innovative approaches to event design and stakeholder engagement that honor cultural practices while meeting institutional objectives.
Fixed-term structure aligned with program funding cycles provides intensive, focused experience in specialized Indigenous engagement work, often leading to permanent opportunities within the expanding Indigenous higher education sector.

Career Growth

Career progression typically occurs within 3-5 years given the specialized nature of Indigenous engagement expertise and the growing institutional demand for these competencies across academic and government sectors.

Potential Next Roles

Program Manager roles within Indigenous education or social equity initiatives, leveraging deep cultural competency and proven stakeholder engagement success Senior Events Manager positions in international development organizations or cultural institutions focused on Pacific region programming Community Engagement Director roles within universities or government departments responsible for Indigenous affairs and reconciliation initiatives

Company Overview

University of Melbourne

The University of Melbourne stands as Australia's premier research institution and consistently ranks among the world's top universities, with particular strength in social sciences and Indigenous studies. The Atlantic Fellows for Social Equity program represents a significant institutional investment in Indigenous-led social change, positioning the university as a leader in decolonizing higher education.

As Australia's second-oldest university and a Group of Eight member, Melbourne holds exceptional market prestige with global recognition for research excellence and social impact initiatives. The institution's commitment to Indigenous reconciliation through programs like AFSE demonstrates thought leadership in addressing historical inequities.
The university serves as a major employer and cultural institution in Melbourne's education precinct, with the AFSE program extending influence across Australia, New Zealand, and Pacific Island nations through its Fellow network and community partnerships.
Academic environment emphasizing intellectual rigor, social justice, and collaborative research, with strong institutional support for work-life balance and professional development. The Indigenous focus of this role ensures culturally respectful practices and community-centered approaches to program delivery.
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