We are looking for a First Nations Talent Programs Lead to join our team at Bupa. This role leads the development of First Nations talent programs, strengthens recruitment and early-career pathways, and ensures candidates and employees experience culturally safe and supportive processes.

You will play a key role in guiding how Bupa attracts, supports, and grows First Nations talent, working closely with leaders, communities, and partners. Your leadership will help drive Bupa’s commitments under the First Nations Employment Strategy and Stretch Reconciliation Action Plan, ensuring mob have access to real opportunities and long-term career development.

This is a permanent role that will ideally be based in Melbourne or Sydney with hybrid working arrangements.

This is an identified position for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Bupa considers that being Aboriginal or a Torres Strait Islander is a genuine occupational requirement for this position under s 14 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 (NSW), s 25 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1991 (QLD) and s 28 of the Equal Opportunity Act 2010 (VIC).

Key responsibilities:

• Support the design, delivery and continuous improvement of First Nations talent programs, including traineeships, internships, graduate pathways, and mentoring initiatives.
• Partner with recruitment teams to strengthen attraction strategies for First Nations candidates and ensure culturally safe recruitment practices are embedded across the business.
• Take a hands-on role in supporting the recruitment of First Nations candidates through the end-to-end recruitment lifecycle, including sourcing, attraction, candidate care, interview preparation, reference/background checks, and onboarding.
• Identify and develop opportunities to strengthen career pathways, progression, and leadership development for First Nations employees.
• Work closely with Talent Acquisition and Employer Branding teams to design and implement sourcing campaigns and promote Bupa as an employer of choice for First Nations peoples.
• Support initiatives that enhance the employee experience of First Nations employees across Bupa, with a focus on inclusion, belonging, and wellbeing.
• Ensure strong onboarding processes are in place to provide First Nations employees with a culturally safe and supportive transition into the workplace.
• Partner with managers and People & Culture teams to embed practices that enable long-term retention and career growth for First Nations employees.
• Monitor the First Nations inbox and respond to queries from candidates, employees, and key stakeholders, providing timely and culturally appropriate support.
• Deliver Mentoring and Career Progression programs for our First Nations Employees.
• Co-lead and provide input into the First Nations Employee Advocacy Group (EAG), ensuring employee voice and perspectives are heard and actioned.
• Build and maintain relationships with internal stakeholders, community organisations, educational institutions, and employment service providers to create sustainable talent pipelines.
• Actively engage in First Nations spaces and represent Bupa with cultural responsibility and authenticity.
• Support external engagement activities that position Bupa as an employer of choice and demonstrate progress against Bupa’s First Nations Employment Strategy and Stretch RAP.
• Contribute to internal and external reporting requirements, ensuring transparency and accountability.
• Shaping and monitoring First Nations workforce metrics across recruitment, onboarding, progression, and retention to inform systemic change.

Skills & Experience Required:

• This is an identified position for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
• Tertiary qualifications in Indigenous studies, social sciences, community or workforce development or related fields.
• Minimum of up to 5 years’ experience in a similar level role and or experience in employee engagement, wellbeing, HR, or community development, ideally within a First Nations context
• Proven ability to take a hands-on role in recruitment processes, including sourcing, attraction, candidate care, interview preparation, reference/background checks, and onboarding.
• Strong understanding of barriers and opportunities relating to First Nations employment, career development, and progression into leadership pathways.
• Ability to build trusted relationships with First Nations employees, community partners, external providers, and internal stakeholders to strengthen talent pipelines and employee experience.
• Experience contributing to program evaluation and reporting to demonstrate progress against organisational strategies and commitments.
• Strong organisational and time management skills, with the ability to balance multiple projects and competing priorities.
• Strong knowledge of relevant legislation pertaining to Indigenous rights
• Strong communication and presentation skills necessary to interact with and persuade a wide range of audiences.
• Demonstrated awareness of and sensitivity to the needs and concerns of individuals from diverse cultures, backgrounds and orientations in both the delivery of our work and our internal culture.
• Demonstrated ability to drive program development, strong initiative and self-motivation.

What’s in it for you 

We reward our people and celebrate their success. From providing initiatives that develop careers to looking after our people’s health, wellbeing and futures. Through the Viva Healthier and Happier program, we’re providing health benefits for everyone who works at Bupa, no matter their role. We want to support our people to be the healthiest and happiest versions of themselves. 

At Bupa your wellbeing, identity, and personal story are respected and valued. We are continuing to build teams that reflect the diversity of the communities we serve. Bupa is committed to providing equal opportunities and fostering a workplace and environment that is free of discrimination, bullying and harassment.

We actively encourage applicants from all backgrounds and experiences, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, veterans, people with disabilities, and LGBTQIA+ applicants.

We are dedicated to removing barriers to participation. If you need any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, or if you’d like to discuss how this role can be flexible for you, please let us know so we can support your participation on an equitable basis.