• One of Australia’s leading research & teaching universities
• Vibrant campus life with a strong sense of community & inclusion
• Enjoy a career that makes a difference by collaborating & learning from the best

At UNSW, we pride ourselves on being a workplace where the best people come to do their best work.

The Senior Manager, Precinct Services in the Faculty of Science provides senior level administration, leadership and management across the Precinct Services function. This role builds and maintains strong relationships across the Faculties, Divisions and research centres at UNSW, including the Children’s Cancer Institute (CCI), as well as with several external suppliers to establish an effective service delivery model based on strategic advice, activity analysis and service improvement initiatives. The role requires a superior level of independent operational expertise, strategic initiative, problem solving and creative thinking, and the ability to develop and implement sound business plans.

The Precinct Services is made up of Upper and Lower Campus Stores and Workshops. The team provides a range of research and teaching support services to all Faculties and Divisions, on and off campus through centrally managed procurement services, logistics management (internal and external), design, manufacture and equipment repairs.

The Precinct Services is designed to achieve alignment between the University’s service offerings and Research and Teaching goals. The Senior Manager, Precinct Services plays an integral role in ensuring the operations and management of services are aligned to the UNSW Strategy.

About the role

• $153k - $163k plus 17% Superannuation and annual leave loading
• Fixed term – 18 months (MAT Leave Cover)
• Full-time (35 hours per week)

Specific responsibilities for this role include:

• Lead the strategic and operational management of Precinct Services Store and Workshop function, including governance across finance, reporting, technology, people leadership and human resources matters.
• Lead the development and execution of the Precinct Services Strategy, ensuring alignment with Faculty and University priorities, and translating long term organisational objectives into measurable service, financial and operational outcomes.
• Provide expert advice to senior leadership on precinct operations, infrastructure support, and service models to inform enterprise decision-making.
• Lead service initiatives across Precinct Services by leveraging data, digital capability and process redesign to improve efficiency, customer experience, reduce waste, uplift service effectiveness and scalability and embed a culture of continuous improvement.
• Drive cross-functional service integration across stores, logistics, and workshop operations to improve coordination, reduce duplication, and strengthen end-to-end service delivery for teaching and research support.
• Prepare briefings and proposals on behalf of Precinct Services on a range of strategic and operational matters as required for current and future operational planning.
• Lead and develop a high-performing, multi-disciplinary workforce, with accountability for workforce strategy, capability uplift, succession planning, and organisational culture aligned with UNSW values.
• Lead financial strategy and performance including budget planning, cost recovery models, pricing frameworks, and resource allocation across Precinct Services to ensure long-term financial sustainability, operational sustainability, and alignment with service priorities.
• Oversee service demand, capacity, and operational prioritisation across stores and workshop functions to optimise service performance, resource alignment, and long-term sustainability.
• Lead sourcing, supplier negotiation, relationship, and contract management activities for goods and services that support Precinct Services operations and broader end-user needs across the University, ensuring value for money, compliance, effective supplier performance, and alignment with stakeholder and service requirements.
• Identify, monitor, assess and mitigate supply chain, operational and compliance risks for Precinct Services and end-users across the University impacting critical research and teaching services.
• Undertake market and industry analysis and external benchmarks to inform purchasing decisions, service improvement, and the effective delivery of Precinct Services.
• Provide leadership in managing complex operational disruptions, major works, and critical incidents, ensuring coordinated responses, stakeholder communication, and continuity of essential services.
• Build and maintain strategic partnerships with senior stakeholders across the University to shape service priorities, influence investment decisions, and ensure alignment of service delivery with teaching and research needs.
• Lead the resolution of complex service issues and operational escalations, ensuring timely recovery, stakeholder communication, and continuous improvement of service outcomes.
• Develop and implement HSE and operational policies and procedures to ensure safe work practices, and the compliant handling, storage, and distribution of dangerous goods and specialist goods and services, in alignment with UNSW safety requirements and NSW legislation.
• Align with and actively demonstrate the Code of Conduct and Values.
• Ensure hazards and risks psychosocial and physical are identified and controlled for tasks, projects, and activities that pose a health and safety risk within your area of responsibility.

About the successful applicant
(Selection criteria)

To be successful in this role you will have:

• Relevant degree or tertiary qualification and/or equivalent competency gained through extensive management experience and another combination of education, training and experience.
• Proven experience leading service delivery or operational functions within a large, complex, organisation (preferably education, health, research, or public sector).
• Demonstrated experience operating at a senior management level with accountability for operational and financial planning, strategy and service outcomes aligned to broader institutional goals.
• Highly developed leadership skills with demonstrated experience in leading, facilitating and evaluating high performing teams.
• Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders with excellent consultation, influencing and negotiation skills and proven ability to engage and manage internal and external stakeholders to enhance service delivery.
• Demonstrated experience in supplier negotiation, management and execution of commercial contracts.
• Demonstrated experience in operational management and decision making involving all aspects of finance, database management, people management, and demonstrated detailed knowledge of relevant policies and systems within the higher education system.
• Demonstrated experience in complex problem solving, process improvement, and promoting an overall improvement culture with a results driven approach that meets business and customer needs.
• Experience leading organisational change or service transformation initiatives at scale.
• Demonstrated experience in the preparation of reports and keeping abreast of industry trends driving strategies to achieve operational efficiencies contributing to the Precinct Services business plan.
• Ability and capacity to implement required UNSW health and safety policies and procedures.
• An understanding of and commitment to UNSW’s aims, objectives and values in action, together with relevant policies and guidelines.
• Knowledge of health & safety (psychosocial and physical) responsibilities and commitment to attending relevant health and safety training.

 You should systematically address the selection criteria listed within the position description in your application.

For informal queries, please see the below contact details. 

Otherwise, please apply online - applications will not be accepted if sent directly to the contact listed.

Contact:
Shauna Simon
E: s.simon@unsw.edu.au

Applications close: November 5^th, 2026

Find out more about working at UNSW at www.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.