Deputy Vice Chancellor (Indigenous)

Acknowledgement of Country

Griffith University acknowledges the people who are the traditional custodians of the land and pays respect to the Elders, past and present, and extends that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Griffith University’s campuses are based on the lands of the Yugarabul, Yuggera, Jagera, Turrbal, Yugambeh and Kombumerri peoples.

Here, you can make it matter

Ranked in the top 2% of universities world-wide, Griffith is well known for its values, outstanding student experience, high impact research, commitment to social justice and a welcoming environment which values excellence, equity, diversity, and innovation. As Griffith approaches its 50th anniversary in 2025, we remain steadfast in being a leading university of influence and impact.

Griffith University values diversity, inclusion and flexibility and we encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and people of all backgrounds, to apply. If you’re looking for a supportive environment where you can accelerate your career, search our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion page.

Professor Carolyn Evans, Vice Chancellor and President

What makes Griffith a great place to work?

At Griffith, you’ll find a community that is built on values.

Excellence

We believe excellence should have impact. It’s why we’re here. We strive for the highest possible standards in teaching and research, while ensuring we create positive effects for our communities.

Culture

Our people thrive in a culture of support and inclusivity, united by a shared purpose. We bring together exceptional thinkers from diverse disciplines to tackle the greatest challenges of our time.

Opportunity

Griffith was created to be a different kind of university. We’re proud of our past, but we understand that true progress comes from challenging the status quo. That’s why we’re excited for what we’re building next.

Ranked in the top 2% of universities worldwide

50000+ students, 4000+ staff, 200+ degree, 200000+ graduates

5 physical campuses and a growing digital campus

Highest rating well above world standard in 24 specific fields of research

At a glance

Ranked in the top 2% of universities globally

Range of subjects ranked in the world’s top 200

Research rated at world standard or above in more than 50 disciplines

Highly regarded as a young university, ranked in the top 50 under 50

Griffith was created to be a different type of university. Here we strive to be a place where all peoples of all cultures feel valued and respected, and where Indigenous Australian people, cultures, knowledges, experiences and perspectives, form an integral part of our learning, teaching, research, and community engagement. At Griffith, we hold ourselves accountable to the belief that reconciliation is everybody’s business.

Griffith’s 2025-2030 Strategy is underpinned by five values-informed challenges including: Indigenous flourishing—creating the conditions for Indigenous Australians to thrive academically, socially and culturally. Griffith aims to be the university of choice for Indigenous staff and students—a place where Indigenous people flourish in their study and careers, a place of cultural safety and a place where Indigenous ways of knowing, being and doing are celebrated in our curriculum, research and the culture.

About the role

The Deputy Vice Chancellor / Vice President (Indigenous) is a senior leader at the University, responsible for driving Indigenous advancement, diversity, and inclusion. They also lead the Logan campus, working with the local community to grow and develop the campus in line with the University’s strategic plan, creating an ‘inter-generational, inter-cultural’ hub that serves the people of Logan.

The portfolio of the Deputy Vice Chancellor / Vice President (Indigenous) leads, coordinates, promotes and works with colleagues across the University in successfully enabling all aspects of the University’s activity and initiatives in First Peoples research innovation, learning and teaching and engagement in support of Griffith’s strategic plans. The portfolio includes the Indigenous Research Unit and the GUMURRII Student Success Unit.

The Deputy Vice Chancellor / Vice President (Indigenous) holds executive responsibility for expanding the University’s delivery of high-quality education and graduate outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This role drives strategies that strengthen Griffith’s position as a national leader in Indigenous leadership, teaching, and research.

Working closely with the Griffith University Elders and First Peoples Knowledge Holders Advisory Board, the Deputy Vice Chancellor / Vice President (Indigenous) also provides leadership and oversight of GUMURRII and the Indigenous Research Unit (IRU). A key focus of the role is promoting Indigenous success across the wider community and creating opportunities that support outstanding educational and research outcomes.

As Head of the Logan campus, the Deputy Vice Chancellor / Vice President (Indigenous) engages with local government, business, and community groups, with a particular focus on outreach to Māori and Pasifika students.

The Vice President title can be adopted in the event a non-academic candidate is appointed.

This is a 5-year fixed term, full time opportunity.

Position description

About you

We invite applications from accomplished leaders with senior executive experience, whether gained within the higher education sector or through significant leadership roles in large, complex organisations outside of academia.

To perform this role, it is essential that the person who holds the position be an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person. This is a genuine occupational requirement under section 25 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1991 (Qld). Given this, confirmation of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander identity is a requirement for appointment to this role. This includes that people filling the role

are of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent; and
identify as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person; and
are accepted by your community as being an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person.

Griffith will accept an original or notarised copy of a ‘Letter of Confirmation’ issued by an incorporated Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander organisation and stamped with the organisation’s common seal. Confirmations may be provided by an incorporated community organisation, association, or body where the majority of members of the governing body are Aboriginal persons or Torres Strait Islander persons or both.

We also recognise that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage is deeply personal and that the lived experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are diverse. As such, alternative forms of recognition and confirmation may be considered in exceptional circumstances.

How to apply

Griffith University has partnered with Boyden in the search for this appointment. For confidential enquiries and to request more information on the position, please contact Alun Parry or James Tyrrell via phone on 02 9225 7400 or email via james.tyrrell@boyden.com .

All applications are to be submitted to the above email address.

Applications should include:

Full name, address, mobile number and email address
Nationality and citizenship
A full curriculum vitae
A cover letting addressing your suitability for the role in accordance with the role's responsibilities.
Names and contact details of at least three potential referees (no contact will be made without your permission).

Applications close Thursday 6 November 2025.

Apply now

First Peoples Employment Action Plan

Griffith has a strong commitment to increasing First Peoples employment and inclusion. Commitments have been made in the Griffith University Strategic Plan 2020–2025, previous Griffith Reconciliation Action Plans (RAPs) and with the appointment of Griffith's first Pro Vice Chancellor (Indigenous). The implementation of Griffith's inaugural First Peoples Employment Action Plan 2021–2025 will further strengthen Griffith's commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff, students and the wider community. The First Peoples Employment Action Plan 2021–2025 sits beneath a broader Griffith First Peoples strategy and will provide direction on key aspects of the employment lifecycle including, Talent Attraction and Acquisition, Onboarding, Development, Progression and Retention and Employee Engagement.

Our university

For almost 50 years, Griffith has been proudly doing things differently. Our people have challenged convention, adapting and innovating to pioneer solutions ahead of our time. Here, you’ll find high-impact research, outstanding student experiences and a genuine commitment to social justice, inclusivity and sustainability.

Ratings and rankings

Griffith ranks among the world's best universities.

Ranked in the top 2% of universities globally

Range of subjects ranked in the world’s top 200

Research rated at world standard or above in more than 50 disciplines

Highly regarded as a young university, ranked in the top 50 under 50

Since opening in 1975, Griffith has grown from one campus and 451 students to become a comprehensive, multi-campus institution, with 50,000 students and more than 200,000 graduates.

Griffith was created to be a different kind of university—one that challenges convention, adapts and innovates, creates bold new trends and pioneers solutions ahead of their time. Today, we are known for our high-impact research, outstanding student experience, commitment to social justice and our welcoming environment, and rank among the top 2 per cent of universities worldwide.

For over 40 years, we have been deeply connected to the Asia-Pacific, socially conscious and environmentally aware. We introduced Australia’s first degrees in a range of important areas, including modern Asian studies and environmental science, and we are a recognised leader in online education, having offered award-winning online programs for nearly 20 years.

We also understand that education isn’t static—on the contrary, we know that new forms of teaching and learning will be needed in future to help people build the skills necessary to thrive in uncertain times. That’s why our high-quality degrees are specifically designed to prepare students for the future, developed in consultation with industry, based on cutting-edge research, and taught by some of Australia’s most highly awarded teachers.

We’ve never lost sight of our progressive beginnings, and everything we do—from education to research and community engagement—is designed to not only meet but improve the new world our students, graduates and communities will encounter, and create a more just and equitable future for everyone.

Griffith places, spaces and communities

At Griffith, it’s not just about the work you do and how you do it—it’s also about where you’ll make your impact. Spanning three cities in South East Queensland, our campuses each offer a place for our people to connect and collaborate. From the city to the beach and the bush, you’ll find spectacular environments and vibrant lifestyles. We also have thriving digital spaces, allowing our staff and students to work together on and off campus.

Our campuses