Employment Type: 5-year leadership appointment
Remuneration: Competitive industry salary package
Location: UNSW Canberra Australia – ADFA and Canberra City Precinct
UNSW Canberra is a Faculty of UNSW, delivering higher education services to the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) and expanding its academic activities through the University’s growing Canberra City Precinct. As UNSW Canberra enters a period of strategic growth, the Deputy Rector will play a pivotal role in shaping the academic direction and performance of the Faculty.
Why Your Role Matters:
The Deputy Rector is a senior executive position within the Faculty, reporting directly to the Rector and Dean and serving as a member of the UNSW Canberra Executive team. This role leads the Faculty’s academic strategy, quality, risk management, and performance across education and research, ensuring UNSW Canberra meets its obligations under the ADFA University Agreement and drives new academic initiatives in the Canberra City Precinct.
You will work closely with the Faculty Executive, Heads of School and Associate Deans to develop and implement strategic plans, maintain academic excellence, and sustain our strong partnerships with the Australian Defence Force, government, and industry.
A continuing academic appointment is negotiable for a candidate with the relevant experience and background.
Who You Are:
You are a distinguished academic leader with a PhD and a strong record of achievement in research, teaching, and academic leadership at the school and/or faculty level. You bring extensive experience in higher education operations—ideally at Head of School or Associate/Deputy Dean level—and have demonstrated success in strategic planning, academic development and stakeholder engagement.
You are a collaborative and inclusive leader, committed to fostering excellence, equity, and innovation. Your ability to navigate complex partnerships, manage academic performance, and lead through change will be critical to UNSW Canberra’s continued success.
Skills and Experience:
- Proven academic excellence with a PhD and sustained high-impact contributions to research, teaching, and curriculum development.
- Extensive leadership experience in higher education operations, ideally at Head of School or Associate/Deputy Dean level.
- Strong communication, negotiation, and mediation skills, with the ability to engage effectively across academic, professional, and industry contexts.
- Demonstrated expertise in resource and risk management within a university environment.
- Experience leading education delivery through large third-party contracts, ensuring compliance with institutional policies and procedures.
- Commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion, with a track record of supporting early- and mid-career academics and underrepresented groups.
To learn more about this position, and view the comprehensive skills and criteria list, a copy of the Position Description can be found below.
Eligibility:
The successful candidate will be required to undertake pre-employment checks prior to commencement in this role. The checks that will be undertaken are listed in the Position Description. You will not be required to provide any further documentation or information regarding the checks until directly requested by 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)
• Career development opportunities
• 17% Superannuation contributions and additional leave loading payments
• Additional 3 days of leave over Christmas period
• Discounts and entitlements (retail, education, fitness)
How to Apply:
Make each day matter with a meaningful career at UNSW. Please submit your application, consisting of a resume and 2-page cover letter as to how your experience aligns to this position, before Monday 3rd November at 9am (Sydney, Australia time).
Get in Touch:
For questions relating to the role please contact:
Carla McBride
Faculty Chief of Staff – Rectors Office
c.mcbride@unsw.edu.au
For any questions regarding the recruitment process please contact:
Persa Tzakis
Team Leader and Executive Resourcer
p.tzakis@unsw.edu.au
Please apply online – applications will not be accepted if sent to the contact listed above.
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.
