Program Officer, Girls to Graduates

Create pathways into STEMM education and careers, build meaningful partnerships with students, schools and communities, and help transform opportunities for girls and women.

At Macquarie University, we are committed to creating a more diverse and inclusive STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medicine) workforce. Despite progress, girls and women continue to be underrepresented across STEMM study and career pathways, with those from equity backgrounds often facing additional barriers to participation and success.

The Girls to Graduates (G2G) program is a flagship equity initiative that addresses these challenges by creating pathways, building confidence and capability and supporting girls and women from diverse backgrounds to pursue and succeed in STEMM. Delivered through a whole-of-university approach, G2G brings together faculties, professional staff, students, schools and industry partners to strengthen participation and progression across the STEMM pipeline. Funded through the Australian Government's Women in STEM and Entrepreneurship (WISE) Round 5 program, G2G is a dedicated five-year initiative designed to create sustainable and lasting impact.

As the Program Officer, you will join a collaborative project team responsible for designing and delivering outreach, access and participation initiatives on campus and in partnership with schools, industry partners and stakeholders across the University. One day you might be facilitating a campus experience day for secondary students; the next, co-designing a new activity with an industry partner, briefing a group of student ambassadors, or reviewing evaluation data to improve program outcomes. It is varied, practical, people-focused work that contributes directly to increasing the participation, success and leadership of girls and women in STEMM.

Working within the Office of the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Education), you will be part of a small, purpose-driven team delivering a significant university-wide initiative in collaboration with faculties, operational units and external partners. If you enjoy building relationships, coordinating impactful programs and turning good ideas into meaningful outcomes, this is an opportunity to contribute to a long-term effort to transform opportunities for girls and women in STEMM and see the impact of your work reflected in the aspirations and achievements of the students you support.

About the Role

Reporting to the Girls to Graduates Program Coordinator, you will contribute to the planning, delivery, evaluation and continuous improvement of the Girls to Graduates program.

Key responsibilities include:

• In consultation with the relevant Coordinator, designing and delivering STEMM-focused outreach, access and participation initiatives, both on campus and in collaboration with school and industry partners.
• Developing and sustaining productive relationships with schools, industry partners and internal Macquarie stakeholders to enable program delivery.
• Contributing to the research, development and best-practice implementation of evidence-informed STEMM equity programs and initiatives that support participation, retention and success.
• Assisting with the evaluation and continuous improvement of programs and initiatives, including monitoring and reporting on reach and impact.
• Recruiting, training, rostering and supervising casual and volunteer staff, including student ambassadors, who participate in program delivery.
• Working as part of the wider Access and Widening Participation team and contributing to the University’s strategic objective for equity of participation, and performing other duties as required and permitted by this classification under the MQ Professional Staff Enterprise Agreement
• Complying with relevant EEO and WHS regulations

About Us

Macquarie is a university engaged with the real and often complex problems and opportunities that define our lives. Since our foundation in 1964, we have aspired to be a different type of university. Over the years, we've grown to become the centre of a vibrant local and global community.Connect with us today.

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) portfolio has overall accountability for the planning, quality and delivery of education at Macquarie. Within it, the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Education) oversees the full educational lifecycle, including pathways and access, curriculum and educational capability, graduate success and Macquarie University College. The Access and Widening Participation unit advances the University's equity agenda by improving access to, participation in, and success within higher education for students from backgrounds that have been historically underrepresented — including First Nations students, students from low socio-economic status backgrounds, and those from regional and remote communities.

About You

You are an organised, practical program professional who enjoys working with young people, schools and community partners. You bring sound project coordination skills, clear communication, and knowledge of the systemic and structural factors that affect girls’ and women’s participation, retention and advancement in STEMM studies and careers.

You are comfortable juggling multiple competing activities, adapting plans when circumstances change, and using evidence to make programs better.

Selection Criteria

• A tertiary qualification and/or extensive relevant experience in a related area,
• Demonstrated knowledge of systemic, cultural and structural factors influencing girl’s and women’s participation, retention and advancement in STEMM studies, careers and leadership,
• Proven project management skills, including evaluation and continuous improvement of programs,
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to communicate thoughtfully and respectfully with diverse audiences,
• Well-developed relationship-building skills, including experience working with key stakeholders in partner schools and communities,
• High-level skills in the use of Office 365, including the ability to prepare engaging materials for school and tertiary students, and
• Experience recruiting and managing casual staff and/or volunteers, and the ability to work proactively as part of a cross-functional team.

*** The successful applicant will be required to undergo a police check and must hold a current NSW Working with Children Check, or be willing to obtain one. They must also hold a current NSW driver’s licence and be available for occasional out-of-hours work and regional travel.

How to Apply

To be considered, please apply online with your CV and a cover letter outlining how your experience meets the selection criteria (above).

Applications Close: Thursday 29 October 2026 at 11:59 p.m.

*** We reserve the right to progress or decline an application prior to the application closing date. We also reserve the right to close the advertisement early if a sufficient number of qualified applicants is received.

For enquiries about the role, please contact Jacinta Carruthers, Head, Access and Widening Participation atjacinta.carruthers@mq.edu.au, or Melissa Wong atmelissa.wong@mq.edu.au.

Why Join Us?

We rank amongst the top employers in the Australian Workplace Employers Index, having recently earned a five-star rating in the QS World Rankings with the highest rating for employability.

Our prime location is just a short walk from Macquarie University Metro Station and Macquarie Shopping Centre. Enjoy the benefits of working at a campus that offers:

• 17% Superannuation
• Subsidised onsite parking options
• Flexible working options
• Training and professional development
• Onsite childcare facilities
• Discounted health insurance (Medibank)
• Onsite vacation care
• Employee Assistance Program
• Subsidised membership at the Sport & Aquatic Centre
• Onsite GP, imaging & physio clinics

Pre-Employment Checks

Macquarie University cultivates a workplace defined by safety, ethical conduct, and strong integrity. Prior to completion of an offer of employment, preferred candidates will be required to participate in a combination of pre-employment checks relevant to the role they have applied for.

Your employment is conditional upon the completion and maintenance of all role-required pre-employment or background checks in terms satisfactory to the University.

If you're already part of the Macquarie Group (MQ University, U@MQ, MQ Health, MGSM), you'll need to apply through your employee Workday account. To apply for this job:Login to Workdayand go to the Careers App > Find Jobs.

Applications Close:

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A Place Where You Belong
At Macquarie, we believe diversity makes us stronger, inclusion drives our success, and belonging inspires us to do our best work. We are proud to foster a community where different backgrounds, identities, and experiences are valued, and where our people are empowered to thrive through supportive leadership, shared responsibility, and a deep commitment to genuine care and respect for our community. Find out more about our vision for a truly inclusive workplace in ourDiversity, Inclusion and Belonging Framework.

Flexible Work
At Macquarie, we believe by providing flexibility in when, where and how work is done, we can support our staff to manage their personal commitments, while optimising their work performance and contributions to the University. See how we lead in flexible work to enable an outcome focused and inclusive workplace. To learn more about our culture and hiring process, visit ourJobs at Macquarie page.