Director, Data Management
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Job no: 534950
Work type: Full Time
Location: Sydney, NSW
Categories: Information Technology
- 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 Director, Data Management is responsible for shaping and leading UNSW’s enterprise data management function, setting strategy, frameworks, and operating models to treat data as a trusted institutional asset. The role provides leadership across governance, quality, metadata, stewardship, and compliance, ensuring UNSW’s data is accurate, consistent, and secure. Working closely with faculties and divisions, the Director embeds sustainable data practices, drives ownership and accountability, and builds the foundations that enable advanced analytics, AI, and digital innovation.
Reporting to the Chief Data Officer, the position leads specialist teams to deliver trusted data outcomes University-wide.
About the Role
The successful applicant will be required to undertake and have experience in the following areas of expertise:
- Define and implement UNSW’s enterprise data management strategy and operating model, aligned to the University’s strategic priorities and Data & Digital Strategy.
- Oversee enterprise frameworks for data governance, stewardship, data quality, metadata, master/reference data, and records obligations ensuring they are embedded into business-as-usual processes.
- Lead and develop a multidisciplinary team building capability and fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
- Establish and embed enterprise data ownership and stewardship models; support data owners and stewards in fulfilling their responsibilities.
- Drive processes, controls, and reporting mechanisms to monitor, report, and remediate data quality issues, ensuring accuracy and consistency of critical data domains.
- Oversee the creation and maintenance of metadata repositories, data catalogues, and business glossaries to enable discoverability, consistency, and reuse.
- Lead enterprise master and reference data initiatives, ensuring consistent and authoritative sources of key data sets across UNSW.
- Ensure data management practices comply with legal, regulatory, and institutional requirements (Privacy Act, State Records Act, TEQSA, GDPR where applicable). Provide regular reporting into governance and risk forums.
- Build strong partnerships with faculties, divisions, and professional services to embed enterprise data management practices into daily operations.
- Represent Data Management in University governance forums; provide insights and recommendations to the CDO and executive committees on data quality, ownership, and compliance.
About You
- Relevant tertiary qualification in information management, data management or a related discipline with substantial relevant experience, or equivalent competence gained through any combination of education, training and experience.
- Proven leadership experience in enterprise data management in a large, complex organisation.
- Strong knowledge of data management disciplines, including governance, stewardship, data quality, metadata, master/reference data, and compliance obligations.
- Demonstrated experience in establishing and embedding data management frameworks and operating models at an enterprise scale.
- Strong people leadership skills, with a track record of building, developing, and leading multidisciplinary teams.
- Excellent stakeholder engagement and influencing skills, with the ability to drive adoption of data management practices across diverse academic and professional groups.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to translate data management insights into actionable recommendations.
- Experience collaborating with IT, Risk, Compliance, and Audit functions to deliver integrated data risk and compliance outcomes.
- Familiarity with higher education regulatory obligations (e.g. TEQSA, State Records Act, Privacy Act, copyright, accessibility) and sector best practices in data management.
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 12th 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.
Position Description
Advertised: AUS Eastern Standard Time
Applications close: AUS Eastern Daylight Time
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