Senior Manager Education and Innovation

Be challenged and imagine with us

This is a unique opportunity to leverage your leadership, strategic thinking and influencing skills in a collaborative, supportive and purpose-driven environment. As the Senior Manager Education and Innovation within the College of Engineering, Science and Environment, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of education and student success.

Working closely with senior leaders across the College and University, you will influence strategy, drive continuous improvement and lead initiatives that enhance educational quality, student outcomes and organisational impact. Operating in a dynamic and complex environment, you will lead a high-performing team while providing expert advice across teaching and learning, accreditation, professional experience, international partnerships and offshore education.

This role offers the opportunity to build meaningful relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders, lead transformational projects and contribute to strategic decision-making at the highest levels. It is an ideal position for a leader who enjoys working collaboratively, navigating complexity and making a lasting difference through influence, innovation and strong partnerships.

In this role you will:

• Provide strategic advice and support to senior College leaders on education and innovation matters.
• Lead, develop and inspire a high-performing Education and Innovation team.
• Lead the development, implementation and monitoring of education and innovation strategies.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance educational quality and student outcomes.
• Oversee quality assurance and compliance activities.
• Prepare and review high-level reports, submissions, briefings and communications.
• Build and maintain productive relationships with University leaders and external stakeholders.
• Monitor emerging higher education trends, policies and regulatory requirements.
• Lead strategic projects and initiatives across teaching, learning and educational innovation.
• Represent the College and Pro Vice-Chancellor's Office on key committees and forums.

 This is a full-time, permanent ongoing position and will be located at the Callaghan Campus (Awabakal and Worimi land). 

How will you inspire us?

You will have:

• Extensive experience providing strategic advice within a complex organisation.
• Proven leadership experience developing and motivating high-performing teams.
• Deep understanding of the higher education sector and emerging educational trends.
• Exceptional stakeholder engagement and relationship management skills.
• Demonstrated success leading strategic and operational education initiatives.
• Outstanding written communication skills and experience preparing executive-level documents.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to manage competing priorities.
• Sound judgement and the ability to navigate complex and sensitive issues.
• Experience influencing decision-making and driving organisational outcomes.
• Postgraduate qualifications, or an equivalent combination of education and extensive relevant experience.at different levels within the organisation.

We are looking for someone who can combine strategic and innovative thinking with a collaborative, service-focused approach to achieve meaningful outcomes.

About our University

The University of Newcastle stands as a global leader distinguished by a commitment to equity and excellence. Our vision is to be a world-leading University for our regions and create a better future for our regions and the globe. Underpinned by this vision are our values of excellence, equity, engagement and sustainability.

What we offer

The remuneration for this position is Higher Education Worker Level 9 ($140,791-$150,846) +17% superannuation and is commensurate with skills and experience. 

In addition to working for a university that is breaking boundaries, discovering new ways of thinking and cementing a place as a global leader, we offer a range of benefits to our employees to ensure you balance your commitments, stay healthy and work effectively.

These include:

• 17% super and salary packaging.
• Additional University Holiday days, generous personal, life, and parental leave, annual leave loading, and additional purchased leave scheme.
• Discounts on private health insurance, gym memberships, software, travel and more.
• A range of support and wellbeing programs.

For more information on benefits and conditions, please follow this link.

Your next steps

Important information before you apply:

• If viewing this on a job board other than the University's please click ‘Apply’ (or equivalent) to reach the University's website, where a copy of the Position Description can be accessed. Please download a copy from the Related Documents section before commencing your application.
• Applications for this position will only be accepted from those with Australian residency or a valid work permit.

Your application must include:

• Your resume.
• A cover letter outlining your motivation to apply for this opportunity.
• A statement addressing each of the essential criteria listed below, demonstrating your qualifications and experience with examples.

Essential Criteria

1.  Extensive knowledge and understanding of the external factors and issues relevant to the education environment, within the higher education sector, to drive and deliver strategy including experience in influencing and providing strategic and policy advice.
2. Demonstrated leadership capacity including the ability to lead/inspire a team of professional/technical staff to deliver exceptional performance/outcomes
3. Demonstrated experience in managing strategic and operational educational portfolio activities, including planning, implementation, monitoring, and continuous improvement initiatives to achieve organisational objectives and enhance educational outcomes.
4. High level project management and organisational skills including the ability to operate effectively under pressure and handle a large, diverse range of complex and sensitive matters.

Please upload your Cover Letter and response to the requested Criteria as one PDF document. This document should not exceed 4 pages (approx. 2000 words).

To ensure that your application receives full consideration, it's important to structure and address the selection criteria outlined in the application process. This helps us better understand your experience and suitability for the role. We appreciate your attention to this matter and look forward to reviewing your application.

We value diversity and strive to ensure that our recruitment processes are equitable, inclusive, and barrier-free. If you require an alternative pathway to view the Position Description or to submit an application, please reach out to employment@newcastle.edu.au.

We also seek to provide a fair chance to all applicants by providing reasonable adjustments where required during the assessment and interview phases of the recruitment process.

Our assessment process

Typically candidates that progress beyond the shortlist stage can expect to undertake the following (minimum) assessment activities as part of the recruitment process:

• Interview (an ‘in person’ interview will be conducted as part of the process)
• Referee checks
• Pre-employment checks as appropriate to the role

Our University is committed to creating a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for every member of our community. This commitment is central to our values and our efforts to build a diverse workforce where everyone can thrive.

As part of this, and in alignment with the National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-Based Violence 2025, from 1 January 2026, the University will also consider gender-based violence risk factors as part of our recruitment processes.

The completion and return of the University’s Gender-based Violence Declaration Form will form part of the pre-employment checks for this position and any offer of employment will be conditional upon review by the University.

Our adherence to the Code is about more than compliance – it’s about living our values. Together, we can ensure our University remains a place where respect, safety, and inclusion are non-negotiable.

Contact Us

For specific position enquiries, please contact Felicity Green, College General Manager on email felicity.green@newcastle.edu.au or call on (02) 4921 5539.

Having technical difficulties? Please reach out to us: employment@newcastle.edu.au Please note, we do not accept email applications.

Closing date:  Monday, 28 September 2026 at 11.59pm AEST

We are excited to be Looking Ahead with you!

We provide opportunities for all people regardless of their background and experience, and this philosophy is reflected across all that we do.

The University of Newcastle is an equal opportunity employer committed to equity, diversity, and social inclusion. Women and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are particularly encouraged to apply.  

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