- Employment Type: Full-time, 12-month Fixed Term role.
- Remuneration: Competitive total package
- Location: Kensington, NSW (Hybrid working model)
About UNSW
At UNSW, we pride ourselves on being a workplace where the best people come to do their best work. We aspire to be Australia’s global university, improving and transforming lives through excellence in research, outstanding education and a commitment to advancing a just society.
Why your role matters
The Head of Data Governance leads the design and delivery of UNSW’s enterprise data governance framework, ensuring data is accurate, consistent, compliant, and trusted as a strategic asset. The role drives the development and enforcement of governance policies, standards, and stewardship practices to enable responsible and effective data use across the University.
They translate governance principles into practice through ownership and stewardship models, quality measures, metadata standards, and compliance processes that support trusted analytics, reporting, and innovation. Partnering with faculties, divisions, and professional services, the Head of Data Governance embeds governance into daily operations, resolves data quality and ownership issues, and aligns processes with UNSW’s strategic goals, regulatory requirements, and the Enterprise Data Office agenda.
The position reports to the Director of Data Management and manages a team.
About the Role
The successful applicant will be required to undertake and have experience in the following areas of expertise:
- Lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of UNSW’s data governance framework, policies, and standards, ensuring alignment with strategic priorities, regulatory obligations, and sector best practice.
- Define and implement a university-wide data ownership and stewardship model, support data owners and stewards with practical guidance, escalation pathways, and accountability mechanisms.
- Develop and maintain metadata standards, business glossaries, and data dictionaries to ensure consistent understanding and use of data across the University.
- Ensure governance practices meet legal, regulatory, and institutional requirements (e.g. Privacy Act, State Records Act, TEQSA, GDPR where applicable); provide evidence and reporting for governance and assurance forums.
- Lead and coordinate data governance committees, working groups, and forums; provide reporting and recommendations to the Director, Data Management and the Enterprise Data Office governance structures.
- Partner with academic and professional divisions to embed governance practices, resolve data ownership and quality issues, and drive adoption of enterprise standards.
- Design and deliver training, toolkits, and communications to uplift data literacy, build governance capability, and foster a culture of shared accountability for data.
- Monitor emerging trends in data governance, regulatory changes, and sector practices; recommend and implement improvements to UNSW’s governance framework, tools, and processes.
About You
- Relevant tertiary qualifications in information management, data management, or a related discipline with extensive relevant experience, or equivalent competence gained through any combination of education, training and experience.
- Proven experience in data governance, enterprise data management, or information management in a large, complex organisation.
- Strong understanding of governance disciplines, including data stewardship, ownership models, metadata, data quality management, privacy, and records obligations.
- Demonstrated success in implementing governance frameworks and policies into business-as-usual operations, not just designing them.
- Experience working with diverse stakeholders (academic and professional) to embed governance practices and resolve data ownership or quality issues.
- Excellent communication, facilitation, and influencing skills, with the ability to simplify governance concepts and secure buy-in from non-specialist audiences.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with high attention to detail in governance processes, reporting, and compliance.
- Familiarity with regulatory obligations in higher education (e.g. TEQSA, State Records Act, Privacy Act, copyright, accessibility standards) and broader sector best practices.
- Experience building capability through training, guidance materials, and communities of practice
For further information on the role & responsibilities, please refer to the Position Description
How to Apply: Submit your CV & cover letter detailing your interest and suitability for the job (as per the skills & experience bullet points in the Position Description) before Monday 6th October by 11:55pm.
Please note: Sponsorship is not available for this role, valid Australian working rights are required on application.
UNSW Benefits and Culture: People are at the core of everything we do. We recognise it is the contributions of our staff who make UNSW one of the best universities in Australia and the world. Our benefits include:
- Flexible Working Options (work from home, flexible hours etc)
- Additional 3 days leave during December festive period.
- Career development opportunities
- Up to 50% discount on UNSW courses
- Flexible 17% Superannuation contributions, additional leave-loading payments and salary sacrifice.
- Discounts and entitlements (retail, education, fitness passport)
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.
