Job Description

• Full-time, Fixed-Term position until 6 September 2027
• Based at Western’s Hawkesbury (Richmond) Campus, with flexible working arrangements
• Salary: HEW Level 7 $107,053 – $115,469 per annum, plus 17% Super and Leave Loading
• NSW Driver Licence & NSW Employee Working with Children Clearance Required

Coordinate engagement programs that build educational aspirations and higher education participation among students from equity backgrounds.

The Opportunity

Western Sydney University is seeking an enthusiastic and organised Future Student Engagement Project Officer to join the Fast Forward team, a program dedicated to increasing educational aspirations and higher education participation among students from equity backgrounds.

This role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact by supporting young people to see higher education as an achievable pathway. Working closely with schools, students, families and community stakeholders, you will help deliver engaging programs and initiatives that create positive educational outcomes across Greater Western Sydney.

As a key member of the team, you will coordinate high school engagement projects from planning through to delivery and evaluation, ensuring activities, resources and milestones are managed effectively. From facilitating workshops and presentations to coordinating events and developing innovative engagement approaches, your work will contribute directly to improving access to higher education for students from diverse backgrounds.

The role involves building strong relationships with school principals, teachers, students, families, University colleagues and external partners to develop and deliver programs that respond to the unique needs of each school community. You will also gather and analyse participation and evaluation data, monitor project outcomes and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives that strengthen the impact of the Fast Forward program.

This is an exciting opportunity for a project professional who is passionate about education, social equity and creating opportunities for young people to reach their full potential.

What Success Looks Like:

Success in this role will be demonstrated through the effective delivery of student engagement initiatives that create positive outcomes for schools, students and communities. Key areas of focus include:

• Coordinating high school engagement projects from planning through to delivery and evaluation, ensuring milestones and objectives are achieved.
• Delivering engaging presentations, workshops, events and activities across school, campus and online settings.
• Building and maintaining productive relationships with schools, families, community organisations and internal stakeholders.
• Using participation, engagement and evaluation data to measure impact, identify opportunities and inform future program development.
• Managing project documentation, resources, timelines and reporting requirements to support effective program delivery.
• Researching emerging trends and best practice approaches in student engagement to enhance program effectiveness.
• Supporting the ongoing growth and continuous improvement of the Fast Forward program.

Please refer to the Position Description for full details.

About You

The successful candidate will bring experience delivering projects or programs within the education sector, along with a genuine commitment to improving educational outcomes for young people from diverse backgrounds. You will have:

• Current NSW Employee Working with Children Clearance and a current Driver Licence.
• Relevant tertiary qualifications and/or demonstrated experience in project management, education, training or program delivery.
• Understanding of social justice principles and the barriers that can impact educational aspirations and participation for students from diverse socioeconomic, cultural and non-English-speaking backgrounds.
• Strong research, analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to apply evidence and insights to program development and delivery.
• Proven ability to build collaborative relationships and networks to support program objectives and service delivery outcomes.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to work effectively with a diverse range of individuals and organisations.
• Strong organisational skills, including the ability to manage competing priorities, work independently and deliver outcomes within agreed timeframes.
• Experience collecting, analysing and applying evaluation, benchmarking or research data to support continuous improvement.

Working with Children Check: It is a mandatory requirement for any incumbent of this position to have a current NSW Employee Working with Children Clearance in accordance with the NSW Child Protection (Working with Children) Act 2012.

Benefits

We invest in the people who make our mission possible. Alongside a rewarding career, we offer a range of benefits designed to support your financial, personal and family wellbeing.

• Financial benefits: Access to staff-only products and offers with selected banking partners, salary sacrifice options for onsite parking, and novated motor vehicle leasing.
• Health and wellbeing support: Free Employee Assistance Program (EAP), complimentary annual flu vaccination, eligibility for Fitness Passport membership, and access to discounted private health cover.
• Onsite childcare: Long day care and early learning services operate at our Campbelltown, Hawkesbury, Parramatta, and Penrith campuses. Staff may be eligible for discounted fees and salary packaging, with places subject to centre capacity.

Application Details

• Position Enquiries: Direct to Losana Nagy, Manager, Fast Forward via L.Nagy@westernsydney.edu.au. Please include the job reference code REF1812J in your email.
• Closing Date: 11:59pm, Wednesday 16th September 2026.
• Working Rights: You must provide evidence of your working rights in Australia at time of application.
• How to Apply: Please note that only applications submitted via the University’s online recruitment system will be considered. As part of your online application, you will be asked to respond to screening questions addressing the key qualifications, experiences and skills required for this position.

Belonging at Western

We are committed to substantive equality as outlined in our Equal Opportunity Policy. We actively encourage applications from Indigenous Australians, candidates of all gender identities and expressions, people of all abilities, and those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

For reasonable adjustments during the application process, please contact talentacquisitionteam@westernsydney.edu.au.

About Western

This is your opportunity to be part of something bigger. By joining Western Sydney University, you become a valued member of our community. As our region changes, so too does our university. Western is boldly different, energetic, global, diverse, dynamic, and youthful.

Our mission is to deliver student success, impactful research, and stronger communities. As part of our team, you will have a stake in shaping the future of education, broadening horizons, and changing lives. Making a difference starts at Western.

For the latest please visit our website and LinkedIn.

All ongoing and fixed term employees seeking to apply for this position as a secondment must have completed a minimum of 12 months’ full-time continuous service to be eligible to apply for this role, as per Part D of the Recruitment and Selection Policy.

Employees are encouraged to discuss their interest in the opportunity with their current supervisor prior to submitting an application.