• Employment Type: Full-Time (35-hour week)
• Duration: Continuing Role   
• Remuneration: Competitive total remuneration package
• Location:  Kensington NSW (Hybrid Flexible Working)

Why your role matters

The Head of UNSW Student Accommodation is a senior leadership role within the Pro Vice-Chancellor Student Success portfolio, responsible for the strategic and operational management of all UNSW-owned and operated student accommodation. This includes oversight of affiliate and partner providers, workforce and resource management, budget planning, WHS, and student community and wellbeing. A key part of the role is ensuring compliance with relevant legislation and regulatory requirements, as well as overseeing risk management across the accommodation portfolio to maintain a safe and supportive environment for all residents.

The role leads a team of College Deans and operational staff, driving a service-oriented culture that aligns with university strategy to enhance student experience. It plays a key role in shaping the future of student accommodation, fostering partnerships across the university and externally, and promoting data-informed improvements that support student wellbeing and academic success.

The position reports to the Pro Vice-Chancellor Student Success, with eight direct reports and oversight of approximately 45 fractional student staff. The portfolio includes responsibility for more than 2,000 beds across 11UNSW-owned and operated student accommodation spaces.

Additional accountabilities for this role include:  

• Lead a compliant operating model and provide expert advice in relation to, UNSW’s complex legislative, regulatory and policy obligations, ensuring operational processes and procedures are developed, implemented and maintained.
• Lead the development, implementation, and successful delivery of the UNSW Student Accommodation service and portfolio of properties, managing resources and priorities, and exercising influence and tact with senior internal and external stakeholders.
• Implement data-driven approaches to assess the effectiveness of initiatives and accurate reporting, making data-informed decisions for continuous improvement and compliance including a pro-active and systematic approach to collecting student and stakeholder feedback.
• Work closely with the PVCSS, Estate Management and Divisional Finance staff to set accommodation rates each year and develop the annual operating budget.
• Oversee the development of an integrated risk management framework across Student Accommodation, including the development of preparatory and training modules for staff and students residing in student accommodation (Colleges, Apartments and other).

About You:                    
You will hold a relevant tertiary qualification or equivalent relevant experience with substantial knowledge and expertise at a senior level in the management of large-scale education, resident or student operations alongside:

• Extensive experience with, and/or a deep understanding of, the challenges faced by tertiary education students, both domestic and international students.
• Proven track-record of working effectively to balance legal and regulatory obligations with strategic objectives and initiatives. Proven leadership in business management, strategy, planning and project management.
• Effective financial management skills and data-insights based decision making with the ability to work collaboratively with specialist staff to manage and report on initiatives against allocated budgets.
• Significant leadership and team management skills with demonstrated success in developing staff and fostering high-performing teamwork to enable and ensure the achievement of team and organisational goals.
• High-level interpersonal, communication, and negotiation skills with the ability to build and maintain effective collaborative professional relationships with University staff and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrated experience in the design and delivery of a whole-of-university strategic initiative, engaging partners with complementary expertise in developing and implementing wellbeing and pastoral care programs, policies and legislative requirements in support of both students and a sustainable accommodation portfolio offering.
• Ability and capacity to identify, assess, prioritise and control the risks to the health and safety of staff, students and visitors and environment.
• An understanding of and commitment to UNSW’s aims, objectives and values in action, leadership signatures, together with relevant policies and guidelines.

The Organisation

UNSW isn’t like other places you’ve worked. Yes, we’re a large organisation with a diverse and talented community; a community doing extraordinary things. But what makes us different isn’t only what we do, it’s how we do it. Together, we are driven to be thoughtful, practical, and purposeful in all we do.  If you want a career where you can thrive, be challenged and do meaningful work, you’re in the right place.

Benefits and Culture:

UNSW offers a competitive salary and access to UNSW benefits including:

• Flexible working
• Additional 3 days of leave over the Christmas period
• Access to lifelong learning and career development
• Progressive HR practices
• Discounts and entitlements 

More information on the great staff benefits and culture can be found here.

To Apply: Please submit your CV and Cover Letter addressing the selection criteria (the skills and experience in the PD) via the ‘Apply Now’ button.

A copy of the Position Description can be found on JOBS@UNSW.

Applications close: Tuesday 1^st July at 11.55pm.

Get in Touch: Chloe Gane – Talent Acquisition Consultant

chloe.gane@unsw.edu.au

Applications cannot be accepted if sent directly to the contact listed.

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.