Academic Quality Strategic Lead

Job Description:

• Remuneration Level 7: $113,926 - $123,301 + 17% Superannuation
  *(Level 8 may be offered to the right candidate: $127,351 - $143,488 + Super)*
• Location: Kensington, NSW
• Full Time (35-hour week)
• Duration: 8 months

Why The Role Matters:

The Academic Quality Strategic Lead has responsibility for a range of Faculty-level initiatives that align with UNSW’s education quality framework. This framework is designed to drive and support continuous enhancement of the student education experience and outcomes. This includes ensuring quality assurance across all learning and teaching and providing compliance advice and information to staff within the Faculty. The role will have strong collaboration across the Education Excellence Portfolio working closely with and providing strategic support to the Deputy Dean Education (DDE), Associate Dean Academic Quality (ADAQ), and advice to educational development, student experience, WIL and short course teams. The position reports to Academic Quality Manager within the ADA Education Excellence Portfolio. The role has no direct reports.

Accountabilities:

(please review the Position Description for a full list of Accountabilities)

Level 7 -

• Working closely with the Schools and Education Excellence Team, carry out timely quality assurance checks for course proposals in the UNSW curriculum management system prior to their submission to Education Committee / Faculty Board for approval.
• Work with the Academic Quality Manager and ADAQ to support and coordinate academic program reviews (APRs), including timely scheduling, establishing review panels and composing terms of reference for reviews. Collect background data and information, prepare draft review reports and support monitoring of review outcomes and escalate issues to the Academic Quality Manager.
• Understand and monitor UNSW policies and procedures around academic quality and integrity and ensuring ADA processes are aligned; working with the DDE and ADAQ to disseminate communication, as needed.
• In collaboration with DDE, ADAQ, and Deputy Head of Schools, apply and contribute to the implementation of a sustainable, end-to-end quality assurance process, including assessment plans; timely collection, management, preparation and reporting of data; and closing the loop to ensure continuous program improvement.
• Through positive engagement with academic staff, promote assurance of learning to ensure quality and continuous program improvement and encourage meaningful and broad faculty participation.
• Regularly provide updates to the Education Excellence Portfolio, Faculty senior leadership and the Education Committee on the progress of assurance process improvements, areas of concern, follow-up actions required, and subsequent outcomes.
• Work with relevant internal and external stakeholders to gain insights from student data (e.g. MyExperience, enrolment, progression, graduation, QILT) in order to contribute to Education Portfolio activities, including international accreditations.

Level 8 (in addition to Level 7) -

• Undertake a range of accreditation and quality assurance related projects within the Education Excellence Team. Research and define the scope of projects, establish processes for implementation, engage senior academic and professional staff in project planning and execution, and closely monitor the progress, quality, and outcomes to ensure adoption and measurable impact across Schools.
• Conduct a gap analysis of current practices to inform the development and implementation of Faculty-wide strategies, systems, and processes to ensure the ongoing maintenance of all quality assurance initiatives.
• Lead the design and documentation of improved Faculty-level quality assurance frameworks for approval by the Academic Quality Manager.
• Develop and implement appropriate strategies to encourage input and buy-in from staff and secure Faculty-wide support for accreditation and quality assurance initiatives.
• Prepare project reports, proposals and documentation, including self-evaluation reports required for accreditation, academic program reviews and process improvement. This may include researching and interpreting information and data from a variety of sources, writing and editing complex reports, delegating responsibilities for data collection and report writing, and supporting senior colleagues in the preparation of required documentation.
• Provide high-level synthesis and strategic recommendations to senior academic leadership.
• Provide strategic advice, feedback and support to the DDE, ADAQ, Academic Quality Manager and Education Excellence and Innovation Manager in relation to the portfolio’s initiatives and projects.

Skills and Experience:

To be considered you will hold Australian Working Rights or Australian Citizenship. Visa sponsorship is not available for this appointment.

(please review the Position Description for a full list of Skills and Experience)

Level 7 -

• Tertiary qualifications and relevant quality assurance experience in a higher education environment. Experience in quality assurance data management, preparation and interpretation within defined frameworks is desirable.
• Demonstrated experience in the timely implementation, management and uptake of sustainable learning outcomes assessment / assurance of learning processes.
• Excellent interpersonal and consultation skills, with the ability to build and sustain effective professional relationships with a diverse range of people and networks and effectively influence stakeholders to achieve shared strategic goals.
• High level written communication skills, including demonstrated experience in the preparation of high-quality reports for dissemination to a variety of audiences.
• Escalates issues requiring policy interpretation or faculty-wide impact.
• High-level problem-solving skills, coupled with attention to detail and the ability to exercise significant judgment when addressing complex problems.
• Excellent time management and organisational skills with a demonstrated ability to manage project delivery whilst responding to changing priorities and competing deadlines.
• A demonstrated ability to work with initiative, both independently and collaboratively in a team-oriented environment.

Level 8 (in addition to Level 7) –

• A relevant degree and extensive relevant experience in the implementation and management of projects in a complex organisation or an equivalent level of knowledge gained through any other combination of education, training and/or experience.
• Proven ability to work with initiative, both independently and collaboratively in a team oriented environment, and to provide leadership in project delivery.
• Significant research, analysis and critical judgement skills, including the ability to synthesise large amounts of complex information, both qualitative and quantitative, and present in a succinct and professional manner.
• Excellent written communication skills, including demonstrated experience in the preparation of comprehensive and high-quality reports, correspondence and other forms of communication for internal and/or external distribution.
• Excellent interpersonal, negotiation and consultation skills, including the ability to build and sustain effective professional relationships, manage a diverse group of stakeholders, and guide and influence decision makers to ensure the timely delivery of outcomes.
• Experience in policy analysis, development and application related to the University environment, including a demonstrated capacity to conceptualise and make policy proposals/ recommendations.

Pre-Employment Checks:

Aligned with UNSW’s focus on cultivating a workplace defined by safety, ethical conduct, and strong integrity preferred candidates will be required to participate in a combination of pre-employment checks relevant to the role they have applied for. These pre-employment checks may include a combination of some of the following checks:

• National and International Criminal history checks
• Entitlement to work and ID checks
• Working With Children Checks
• Completion of a Gender-Based Violence Prevention Declaration
• Verification of relevant qualifications
• Verification of relevant professional membership
• Employment history and reference checks
• Financial responsibility assessments/checks
• Medical Checks and Assessments

Compliance with the necessary combination of these checks is a condition of employment at 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:

• 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)

For further details on the benefits, please visit https://www.jobs.unsw.edu.au/lifestyle-benefits

How to Apply:

Submit both a Cover Letter and CV online via the UNSW Job Board before Thursday 28th May 2026 by 11:30pm. Please ensure your Cover Letter addresses the core Skills and Experience mentioned in the advert (no more than 2 pages).

Get in Touch: Any applications sent to the contacts below will not be accepted.

If you have questions about the role, please contact Elizabeth Pink at e.pink@unsw.edu.au

If you have questions about the recruitment process, please contact Allyssar Hamoud at a.hamoud@unsw.edu.au

UNSW is committed to evolving a culture that embraces equity and supports a diverse and inclusive community where everyone can participate fairly, in a safe and respectful environment. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds and encourage applications from people of diverse gender, sexual orientation, cultural and linguistic backgrounds, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander background, people with disability and those with caring and family responsibilities. 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.