"Head of Sustainability"

Head of Sustainability

Job no: 538113
Work type: Full Time
Location: Sydney, NSW
Categories: Professional Leadership

• Employment Type: Full time, continuing
• Remuneration: Competitive Total Package
• Location: Kensington, NSW

About UNSW

At UNSW, we pride ourselves on being a workplace where the best people come to do their best work. We aspire to be Australia’s global university, improving and transforming lives through excellence in research, outstanding education and a commitment to advancing a just society.

Why your role matters

As Head of Sustainability, you will lead UNSW’s environmental sustainability agenda, driving the development and delivery of a strategic framework aligned to the UNSW Strategy: Progress for All and relevant UNSW policies.

This role oversees the University’s programs to support environmental sustainability outcomes, modern slavery, human rights due diligence, and broader social impact initiatives, while ensuring statutory compliance and reporting obligations.

The role acts as a facilitative conduit and cross‑functional leader, aligning UNSW’s diverse sustainability pillars and teams to deliver flagship initiatives, while engaging and influencing stakeholders at all levels, including senior leadership.

About You

You will be an influential, enterprise-wide leader who thrives on collaboration — aligning diverse teams, embedding sustainability into core operations, and accelerating the transition to a more sustainable future. You will have:

• Relevant tertiary qualification in sustainability, environmental science or a related field, or equivalent substantial experience and competence gained through a combination of education, training and experience.
• Proven success in leading environmental sustainability programs within large, complex organisations.
• Ability to engage and influence stakeholders at all levels, including senior leadership.
• Deep understanding of sustainability frameworks, ESG principles, regulatory requirements, and reporting standards.
• Strong analytical skills to synthesise complex issues, develop impactful strategies, and deliver robust outcomes.
• Superior written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to articulate sustainability priorities to diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated experience in leading teams and managing programs effectively.
• Relevant knowledge of legislative and regulatory requirements relevant to areas of responsibility such as the NGER Act and the NEPM Act.
• Demonstrated experience in developing and implementing programs related to modern slavery compliance, human rights due diligence, and social impact initiatives.
• An understanding of and commitment to UNSW’s aims, objectives and values in action, together with relevant policies and guidelines

How to Apply:

Submit your CV & cover letter detailing your interest and suitability for the job before Sunday 8th March 2026 by 11:55pm.

Please note: Sponsorship is not available for this role, valid Australian working rights are required on application.

Contact: Tai James- Talent Acquisition Partner e: tai.james@unsw.edu.au

Ensure you apply directly via the advertisement link - direct applications to the email above will not be accepted.

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 (work from home, flexible hours etc)
• Additional 3 days leave during December festive period.
• Career development opportunities
• Up to 50% discount on UNSW courses
• Discounts and entitlements (retail, education, fitness passport)

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.

UNSW is committed to equity diversity and inclusion. Applications from women, people of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, those living with disabilities, members of the LGBTIQ+ community; and people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent, are encouraged. UNSW provides workplace adjustments for people with disability, and access to flexible work options for eligible staff.

Position Description