Change and Communications Lead - Academic Calendar Transition (UNSW)

The Opportunity

After significant consultation, UNSW’s Academic Calendar will be shifting from the 3+ model to a ‘flex-semester’ model in 2028. The University is now undergoing the planning and implementation phases to ensure a smooth transition for all staff and students by 2028.  This is a project-specific faculty role focused on redesigning and preparing hundreds of programs, specialisations and courses for delivery for Semester 1 and Semester 2 2028. The role sits within a whole of university transformation program, along with the related governance, systems, processes and implementation readiness required for successful delivery.

The role provides strategic and practical change and communications support for the Engineering Academic Calendar Transition and related curriculum transformation activities. The role focuses on designing and implementing the Faculty’s change and communications approach, coordinating stakeholder engagement and readiness activities, developing clear and consistent staff and student communications, and supporting Schools to manage issues, enquiries and adoption in a structured and consistent manner. The role works a wide variety of faculty and central based teams to support delivery across eight Schools and a large student cohort. The role reports to the Academic Calendar Transition Senior Project Manager and has no direct reports.

• Salary, Level 8: $127,351 - $143,489 per annum + 17% superannuation
• Full time
• Fixed-Term – 2 years
• Location: Kensington – Sydney, Australia

About UNSW

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.

The Faculty of Engineering at UNSW continues to be a national and international leader in engineering research and education, cementing its status as the University’s premier research faculty. As the largest Engineering Faculty in Australia, it graduates the highest number of engineers and maintains the largest research expenditure in the country. Through excellence in both fundamental and applied research, the Faculty strives to sustain and further its global impact, aiming to be ranked among the top engineering faculties worldwide. For more information, visit the Faculty website: https://www.unsw.edu.au/engineering/about-us

Skills and Experience:

• Relevant tertiary qualification with subsequent relevant experience or equivalent competence gained through any combination of education, training and experience. Experience in change management within higher education or a similarly complex governance environment is desirable.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with demonstrated ability to translate complex policy, governance and operational information into clear and practical guidance.
• Demonstrated success working effectively and collaboratively on initiatives with a range of people at different levels within an organisation, including academic leaders and professional staff.
• Experience working with a range of computer systems and applications, including Microsoft 365 (Teams, SharePoint, PowerPoint), and familiarity with communications and collaboration tools.
• Excellent time management skills, with a demonstrated ability to respond to changing priorities, manage multiple tasks and meet competing deadlines using judgement and initiative.
• Proven experience in change management or stakeholder engagement, with an understanding of change frameworks, readiness assessment approaches and structured engagement planning.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and productively within a team, and to take initiative and work independently while managing competing demands in a matrix environment.
• Experience coordinating communications within formal governance or approvals environments is desirable.

Additional details about the specific responsibilities for this position can be found in the position description.

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 (work from home, flexible hours etc)
• 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

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:

• Provide Evidencing Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander documentation (if successful)
• 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.

To Apply:

Please click the apply now button and submit your CV, Cover Letter and Responses to the Skills and Experience. Please note applications will not be accepted if sent to the contact listed below.

Applicants must have working rights in Australia and be able to be on site in Kensington when required. Visa sponsorship is not available for this appointment.

Contact:

David Hasler – Senior Project Manager
d.hasler@unsw.edu.au

Allyssar Hamoud – Talent Acquisition Associate
E: a.hamoud@unsw.edu.au

Applications close:

11:50 pm (Sydney time) on Wednesday 15th April 2026

Position Description