Associate Director, Academic Engagement

Why your role matters

UNSW Library is seeking an experienced and strategic leader to join its senior management team as Associate Director, Academic Engagement. This role leads the delivery of high-quality teaching, outreach and engagement services that support the University’s education, research and engagement goals.

Working closely with Faculties and Schools, the Associate Director will lead expert teams that connect academic staff and students with Library services, resources and expertise. A key focus of the role is leading teaching services aligned to the Library’s Digital Information Skills Framework, helping students develop digital and information literacy skills to support academic success.

This senior leadership role is responsible for planning, resource allocation, service improvement and stakeholder engagement across the Academic Engagement portfolio. The Associate Director will work with team leaders to ensure services are user-focused, strategically aligned and valued by the University community.

The role shares responsibility for the leadership and management of discipline-based and multi-campus and multi-precinct engagement teams, currently including Canberra City and UNSW College, while supporting service delivery across a broad range of academic areas. The position includes oversight of operations, service delivery, staff development, performance reporting and continuous improvement.

Reporting to the Director, Information Services, the Associate Director currently has three direct reports, including leadership oversight of teams operating across multiple locations. The role will represent the Library on relevant University committees and work collaboratively across the Library to deliver innovative and tailored services.

About You

• Relevant postgraduate qualifications and extensive experience at a management level within an academic library.
• Substantial experience in planning, delivering and evaluating high quality library services.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively and positively manage and lead people and teams in a changing environment.
• Experience in developing and maintaining collaborative partnerships with a range of stakeholders and capacity to engage effectively across UNSW.
• Sound understanding of relevant pedagogies and educational technologies and their application in the higher education sector.
• Advanced written and verbal communication skills, with a high-level of attention to detail for deliverables produced.

For further details on role responsibilities and skills & experience required, refer to the position description found under the position listing on Jobs@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.
• 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 your application online by 7pm on Wednesday 17th June 2026 with your resume and a cover letter outlining your interest for the role. In the application form, you’ll also be asked to answer the following criteria questions:

• Using your resume as a reference for the response, how do you believe your skills and experience will help your success as the Associate Director, Academic Engagement?
• Collaborating with your peers is a key part of this job. Please expand on your experience working with colleagues.
• What do you see as the current opportunities for Libraries to engage in digital literacy?