Regional Assistant Director (Affirmative Measures - open to First Nations candidates only)

About Aboriginal Hostels Limited (AHL)

AHL is a not-for-profit Commonwealth company dedicated to providing culturally safe and affordable accommodation for First Nations people who need to be away from home to access services and economic opportunities. Since 1973, AHL has been committed to improving the quality of life and economic opportunities for First Nations people through a national network of over 40 hostels across Australia. Join us in making a meaningful impact and supporting our mission to enhance the lives of First Nations communities.

About the Role

Are you passionate about driving excellence in service delivery, strengthening community ties, and leading high-performing operational teams? We are seeking a dynamic and strategic leader to join Aboriginal Hostels Limited (AHL) as the Regional Assistant Director. 

As the Regional Assistant Director, you will oversee operations across our Top End regional network to ensure high-quality hostel management, robust data-driven compliance, and supportive environments that drive our organisational goals. As we expand our operational expertise and strategic capabilities, this role offers a fantastic opportunity to take ownership of regional performance and significantly influence our growth. Serving as the face of regional leadership you will engage with stakeholders at all levels, ensuring our accommodation services remain indispensable to the community. You will lead high-quality regional operations on a macro level, gathering data, coordinating resources, and building community capability to ensure repeatable, scalable success that shapes our future strategic path.

About You

We are seeking an accomplished leader with proven senior operational management experience, ideally within accommodation, residential services, or community-led sectors. You are a visionary, strategic thinker with exceptional problem-solving skills, outstanding communication capabilities, and a highly sophisticated approach to stakeholder management.

Why Join Us?

This is a unique opportunity to contribute to meaningful work that directly impacts the frontline of First Nations service delivery. You will join a collaborative, outcomes-focused environment that deeply values probity and integrity, critical problem-solving and continuous improvement.

The role offers a unique opportunity to shape and influence regional operational excellence and frontline service standards, working closely with the Director, local hostel management teams, and key external partners. We adopt a highly supportive working environment anchored by a strong commitment to your professional growth, culturally safe practices and workforce inclusion.

For the full position description and how to apply visit the AHL website Work with us | Aboriginal Hostels Limited

The successful candidate will be assessed through our pre-employment screening checks, such as an Australian Criminal History Check, and will normally be subject to a six-month probation period if new to the APS or has not yet completed their probation period elsewhere in the APS.

To be eligible to apply, applicants must be Australian Citizens or have already lodged an application for Australian Citizenship. 

Prior to engagement, the successful applicant will be required to: 

• provide an Australian Citizenship document (e.g. birth certificate or passport);
• undergo a satisfactory National Criminal History Check;
• meet the fitness for duty requirements; and
• hold and maintain, working with children check in NT region.

Under section 22(8) of the Public Service Act 1999, employees must be Australian citizens to be employed in the APS unless the Agency Head has agreed otherwise, in writing. At AHL to be eligible for this position you should be an Australian Citizen at the closing date of application, unless exceptional circumstances apply.

This is an Affirmative Measure vacancy which means that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants only.

How to apply

Submit your application through to jobs@ahl.gov.au before Tuesday 6 October at 11:59pm.

As part of your application you will need to provide an application form and the following:

• A complete the Application Form available from our website www.ahl.gov.au/work
• Your current resume (maximum three pages)
• A ‘one page pitch’ (up to 750 words) telling us how your skills, knowledge, experience and qualifications make you the best person for the job and to perform at the relevant classification level.
• Please include your name and the job reference (VN-0772826) in the subject of your email.