Executive Director, Indigenous Students

UNSW is one of the world’s leading research and teaching-intensive universities, known for innovative, revolutionary research and high-quality education outputs, influencing significant global societal impacts.

UNSW isn’t like other places you may have worked; yes we’re a large organisation with a diverse and talented community; a community doing extraordinary things. Working together our UNSW community is collectively driven to be thoughtful, practical, and purposeful in all we do. Taking this combined approach is what makes our work matter. It’s the reason we’re one of the top 50 universities in the world and a member of Australia’s prestigious Group of Eight.

At UNSW, societal impact is at our core, with this in mind we have recently launched our UNSW Strategy: ‘Progress for All’ which reaffirms our ongoing commitment to advancing expansive and inclusive global positive impact. Building on 75 years of impact, UNSW strives to address pressing global challenges and ensure communities worldwide can thrive socially, economically, culturally and environmentally.

Why Your Role Matters:

The Executive Director, Indigenous Students will provide strategic oversight and leadership to enhance the experience of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students at UNSW. This role will lead a whole-of university approach to Indigenous student success, building a shared vision for Indigenous education from faculties, divisions, Nura Gili and student services. The Executive Director will drive a cultural shift, embedding a new, university-wide commitment to Indigenous student access, retention, and success through strategic leadership, collaboration, and planning.

Who You Are:

You will be a strategic leader who can drive a whole-of-institution approach to Indigenous student success — from access and participation through to graduation and beyond. You’ll lead the development and evaluation of the Indigenous Student Success Plan, shape KPIs, and foster meaningful partnerships with Indigenous communities, industry, and government to turn vision into impact. You will also require:

This is an Indigenous identified position and applicants must be an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person to apply. Evidencing Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander identity will be required.

• A PhD or equivalent tertiary qualification with extensive relevant experience in providing university wide leadership and influencing strategy outcomes to progress undergraduate and postgraduate student success, retention, and attraction.
• Strategic planning leadership with demonstrated ability within the higher education sector.
• Expertise in responding to challenges and opportunities for Indigenous student success in a higher education environment, as well as demonstrated experience in evaluating and reporting on Indigenous outcomes.
• Strong internal and external stakeholder engagement skills, resulting in creating a shared internal vision, sustainable high quality relationships with communities, and the ability to contribute to discussions and actions relating to the current external environments across the university sector, as it relates to Indigenous higher education.
• Excellent consultation, influencing, communication, negotiation and networking to achieve strategic outcomes.
• Proven track record of positively influencing change and leading transitions in a complex environment.
• Demonstrated collaboration and advocacy skills, ensuring Indigenous student success is embedded across UNSW’s structures and culture.
• Demonstrated cultural sensitivity and a strong sense of equity, diversity and inclusion in dealing with diverse colleagues, partners and stakeholders.

Benefits and Culture:

People are at the core of everything we do. We recognise it is the contributions of our staff that make UNSW one of the best universities in Australia and the world. 

Our benefits include:

• Hybrid flexible working
• Access to lifelong learning and career development
• Additional 3 days of leave over Christmas period
• Discounts and entitlements (retail, education, fitness)

For further details on the benefits, please visit https://www.jobs.unsw.edu.au/lifestyle-benefits

How to Apply:

If you are passionate about shaping the future of student experience, fostering a dynamic learning environment, and creating impactful societal change, we encourage you to apply. To apply please submit your resume and cover letter outlining your suitability.

Applications close:  Sunday 8 June - before 11:55pm

Get in Touch:

Kim Symons – Team Leader, Talent Acquisition

k.symons@unsw.edu.au

UNSW is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion. Applications from women, people of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, those living with disabilities, members of the LGBTIQ+ community and people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent, are encouraged. UNSW provides workplace adjustments for people with disability, and access to flexible work options for eligible staff. The University reserves the right not to proceed with any appointment.