Design Strategist (AI and Digital Architecture) – UNSW Innovation Hub

Design Strategist (AI and Digital Architecture) – UNSW Innovation Hub

Job no: 539811
Work type: Full Time
Location: Sydney, NSW
Categories: Strategy

• Remuneration Level 8: $127,351 - $143,489 + 17% Superannuation
• Location: Paddington, NSW (the successful candidate will be required to work on campus a minimum of 3 days per week)
• Full Time (35-hour week)
• Fixed Term to December 2027

Why The Role Matters:

The UNSW Innovation Hub enables innovation across the University by designing and advancing new methods and ways of working that support cross-disciplinary collaboration. By bringing together academics, professional staff, and students, the Hub creates impactful opportunities to develop and scale innovative projects within UNSW and in partnership with industry, government, and community stakeholders. Aligned with the UNSW Strategy: Progress for All, the Hub plays a central role in building innovation capability through new programs, collaborations, systems, technologies and processes.

The Design Strategist (AI and Digital Architecture) plays a lead role in delivering specialist design and technology capability to support AI‑enabled and digitally driven projects within the UNSW Innovation Hub. The role combines human‑centered design with advanced technical insight to drive research, problem framing, prototyping and implementation activities. Working closely with the Hub Director, Manager and transdisciplinary teams, the role supports stakeholder engagement and contributes to the ethical, feasible and strategically aligned application of emerging technologies. The role also supports the delivery of Hub programs and initiatives and contributes to building productive partnerships across UNSW and with external stakeholders.

Accountabilities:

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

• Work closely with the Innovation Hub Director and Manager to strategise, design and deliver AI enabled and digitally driven problem-solving projects that align with the Hub’s strategic vision and organisational priorities.
• Provide high‑level design consultation and facilitate collaboration between transdisciplinary project teams, supporting alignment across design, technology and operations to achieve ethical, feasible and human‑centered technology outcomes.
• Lead the framing of complex technological and organisational challenges and contribute to designing the strategies and processes needed to address them.
• Facilitate day-to-day project activities, including designing and delivering workshops, consultation sessions and overseeing prototyping and implementation processes as needed.
• Lead project activities and provide high‑level guidance to teams, assisting with delivery, monitoring progress and contributing to problem‑solving and implementation support.
• Develop and support effective communications with key stakeholders, both internal and external and provide influential input with stakeholders to enhance collaboration and drive project success.
• Collaborate with the Innovation Hub team to build capability across UNSW by increasing the number of staff actively engaged in design-led methodologies and working on Hub projects.
• Contribute to the creation, development and scaling of a design-led, problem-solving culture at UNSW.
• Work with the Hub team to coordinate and drive the delivery and implementation of projects and initiatives to achieve strategic and operational goals.
• Foster and maintain strong relationships and networks across UNSW and with Hub Partners. Monitor changes in government policy, industry trends and emerging technologies to continuously enhance design processes and outcomes.

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)

• Relevant tertiary qualification in Design, or a related discipline with subsequent relevant experience or equivalent competence gained through any combination of education, training and professional practice.
• Proven track record as a Designer and Strategist/Consultant with expertise in design-led methodologies (including user research methods and usability testing) and broader problem-solving methodologies, and their application within AI-enabled and digitally driven initiatives across the project life cycle including planning objectives and documentation.
• Advanced written, verbal and visual communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex design and technological concepts to diverse audiences and ensure a high level of attention to detail for deliverables produced.
• Demonstrated experience in design education, including teaching design-led methodologies through active learning, and applying artificial intelligence, digital systems and technical architecture in education project contexts.
• Demonstrated success in collaborating effectively on initiatives with diverse individuals and teams at all levels within an organisation.
• High-level experience with digital collaboration, prototyping and AI-enabled environments, with the ability to rapidly adapt to evolving tools and platforms.
• Excellent time management skills, with a demonstrated ability to respond to changing priorities, manage multiple tasks and meet competing deadlines using sound judgement and initiative.
• Demonstrated ability to lead project teams and positively influence project cultures.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and productively within a team, but also to take initiative and work independently while managing competing demands.

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 Tuesday 19th 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 Michaela Turner at m.turner@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.

Position Description

Advertised: 05 May 2026 AUS Eastern Standard Time
Applications close: 19 May 2026 AUS Eastern Standard Time