About the Role 
The Participation and Belonging Lead plays a key role in advancing Swinburne University of Technology’s commitment to improve access, equity and success for students from non-traditional and underrepresented backgrounds. Reporting to the Deputy Director, Student Engagement, the position provides leadership across targeted student engagement, enrichment and support initiatives that enhance belonging and create meaningful outcomes for students who have experienced disadvantage. The role contributes to the University’s Ad Astra strategy of tailored and innovative pathways to success for all.

Working within a complex and collaborative environment, the Participation and Belonging Lead drives initiatives that strengthen early access opportunities, embed widening participation principles and deliver high-quality student experiences across the student lifecycle. The role works closely with  teams across the University to influence alignment, collaboration and integration of services, ensuring sustainable and impactful outcomes. Rather than duplicating existing services, the position focuses on connecting teams to improve the overall student experience.

The role also contributes to the development of participation and belonging frameworks, governance approaches and integrated service models aligned to evolving equity funding arrangements and institutional priorities. Success in the position will require strong stakeholder engagement, project management and the ability to navigate complex organisational environments to support evidence-based approaches to student engagement, equity and widening participation initiatives.

About You  
To be suitable for this role you will need to have experience in the below key accountabilities:

• Demonstrated experience in delivering improved outcomes for tertiary student cohorts including equity or other identifiable groups within a higher education setting
• Demonstrated ability to deliver outcomes through partnership, influence and collaboration within complex organisational environments
• Proven experience leveraging programs, services and priorities across multiple teams avoiding duplication of responsibility or delivery
• Demonstrated experience in the stewardship, governance and evaluation of equity focused or cohort based initiatives at scale

Qualifications
Postgraduate qualification or progress towards postgraduate qualifications and relevant experience; or extensive management experience and expertise in a relevant area; or an equivalent combination of relevant experience and/or education/training