First Nations Program Manager

We are seeking a passionate, skilled and community connected First Nations Program Manager, to support and grow DADAA’s First Nations programs.

Position Title:             First Nations Program Manager

Location:                      Fremantle, Perth WA, Australia

Reports to:                  Director Arts Strategy

Employment Type:  Part-time (0.6 FTE)

About DADAA

DADAA is a leading Western Australian Arts and Disability organisation that creates access to arts and culture for people with disability or disadvantage, including a strong commitment to First Nations artists and communities. We deliver socially engaged arts programs across multiple art forms, with a focus on inclusion, equity, and self-determination.

DADAA recognises that the arts industry is a vital platform for cultural expression, storytelling, and economic empowerment. We are committed to ensuring that First Peoples’ voices, traditions, and innovations continue to shape the creative landscape of Australia.

About the Role

We are seeking a passionate, skilled and community connected First Nations Program Manager, to support and grow DADAA’s First Nations programs.

This role will work closely with First Nations artists and participants across all DADAA locations (Fremantle, Midland and Lancelin), to develop arts and culture projects and create meaningful opportunities for, artistic development and career pathways.

This is a new leadership role that meets DADAA’s organisational goals, progression and strengthens commitment to enacting DADAA’s Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).  As this is a new position for DADAA, there is scope for the successful candidate to help shape the role and make it their own.

The position supports strategic partnerships with First Nations artists with disabilities, their families and communities and organisations both locally and regionally.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

Key Responsibilities

Program Development & Delivery

• Co-design, manage, and evaluate First Nations-led arts and culture programs and projects across a range of art forms.
• Support professional development, mentoring and career opportunities for First Nations artists and emerging practitioners.

Community Engagement & Partnerships

• Build and maintain strong, respectful relationships with First Nations people.
• Ensure culturally safe and responsive engagement processes across all project stages
• Collaborate with internal teams to embed First Nations cultural protocols, including Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property Protocols (ICIP) across DADAA’s programs.

Organisational Development

• Contribute to strategic planning and advocacy, representing First Nations interests in organisational decision-making.
• Provide input into DADAA’s internal cultural safety training and staff development.

Administration & Reporting

• Manage project budgets and support funding application development and acquittals in collaboration with the Director of Arts Strategy.
• Maintain clear documentation, risk management, and evaluation data.

Key Selection Criteria

• Identifies as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person.
• Demonstrated experience in arts and cultural development, particularly working with First Nations communities and artists.
• Strong understanding of First Nations cultural protocols and values and ways of being, knowing and doing.
• Demonstrated High-level communication and relationship-building skills.
• Experience in project management, including budgeting, scheduling, and reporting with an outcomes and impact focus.
• Ability to work collaboratively within a cross-disciplinary, community-engaged team.

Desirable

• Lived experience as a person with disability.
• Experience in disability arts, community arts or health-related arts practices.
• Knowledge of the WA arts sector and networks.
• Grant writing experience.

Our Values

At DADAA, we are gutsy, diverse and inclusive, disability-led, collaborative, trusted, and generous. We are committed to continuous improvement, creating accessible opportunities, and supporting artists and participants to achieve their goals.

What we offer:

DADAA provides access to attractive Salary Packaging options and 5 weeks annual leave (pro-rata).

How to Apply

Please submit (via Seek https://www.seek.com.au/job/85257704?ref=cm-ui ) your CV, a cover letter addressing the selection criteria, and two referees by 21st July 2025.

For job-related enquiries, please contact DADAA Director Arts Strategy via email: Julieb@dadaa.org.au

DADAA offers an inclusive, flexible, and supportive workplace. We encourage candidates from diverse backgrounds to apply.

DADAA is committed to disability employment, please advise if you require any additional access or support to apply for this role. 

Applications close Tuesday 21st July 2025.