School Manager

Q: What qualifications are required for the QUT School Manager role?

The role requires postgraduate qualifications and relevant experience , or an equivalent combination of education, training, and administrative management experience. QUT values leadership, budget management, and commitment to equity and diversity. You can explore other executive higher education roles for comparable requirements.

Q: What are the core responsibilities of a School Manager at QUT?

As School Manager for the School of Mechanical, Medical and Process Engineering , you will lead school operations, provide strategic and operational advice, oversee administrative services, and manage workforce planning, budgeting, and HR matters . You will report to the Head of School and contribute to faculty senior professional staff initiatives. See administrative jobs in higher education for related roles.

Q: Does QUT offer visa sponsorship for the School Manager position?

No. Applicants must have ongoing full-time work rights in Australia . Aboriginal Australians and Torres Strait Islander people are encouraged to apply, reflecting QUT's commitment to Indigenous Australian success. Learn more about university jobs in Australia and eligibility.

Q: What salary and benefits does the QUT School Manager receive?

The remuneration is $138,193 to $156,633 per annum (HEW8) , inclusive of 17% superannuation and 17.5% recreation leave loading. QUT offers flexible work arrangements, generous parental leave, salary packaging, professional development, and health benefits. For broader salary benchmarks, see university salary information .

Q: How do I apply for the School Manager job at QUT?

Submit your application by 21 September 2026 at 11:30 PM via the QUT careers portal. You can start by clicking the 'begin' button on the job listing. Prepare your CV and cover letter using free resume templates and free cover letter templates before applying.

Q: Where is the QUT School Manager role located and what is the employment type?

The role is based at Gardens Point campus in Brisbane, QLD, on an ongoing full-time basis . You'll join one of Australia's leading engineering schools with strong industry engagement and research centres. Browse executive jobs in higher education for similar leadership opportunities.

Applications Close: Sep 21, 2026

Queensland University of Technology

Gardens Point Rd, Brisbane City QLD 4000, Australia

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School Manager

Senior Professional Staff (HEW8)

21 September 2026, 11:30 PM

Location

Gardens Point, Brisbane, QLD

Queensland University of Technology (QUT)

Type

Ongoing, full-time

Salary

$138,193 to $156,633 pa (HEW8)

Required Qualifications

Postgraduate qualifications or equivalent experience

Complex administrative management

Workforce planning and budget management

HR management

Leadership and team development

Continuous improvement

High-level communication skills

Equity, diversity and Indigenous Australian engagement

Research Areas

Mechanical Engineering

Medical Engineering

Manufacturing

Process Engineering

Energy

Materials Engineering

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Reference number: 26474
Term: Ongoing, full-time basis
Remuneration: $138,193 to $156,633 pa (HEW8) (inclusive of $116,774 to $132,357 salary pa, 17% superannuation and 17.5% recreation leave loading)
Location: Gardens Point
Open to: Applicants who have ongoing full-time work rights in Australia. In support of our strategic priority of Indigenous Australian success, Aboriginal Australians and Torres Strait Islander people are encouraged to apply.

Who are we looking for?

We are seeking a School Manager to join School of Mechanical, Medical and Process Engineering, Faculty of Engineering.

Join one of Australia's leading engineering schools and play a key leadership role in supporting the School's teaching, research and industry engagement activities. Reporting to the Head of School, you will lead school operations, provide strategic and operational advice, oversee administrative services and work closely with academic and professional staff to achieve the School's priorities. As a member of the Faculty of Engineering's senior professional staff team, you will contribute to workforce planning, budgeting, human resource management, governance and continuous improvement initiatives while fostering a high-performing, collaborative and service-focused culture. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced leader with strong organisational, financial and stakeholder management skills to make a significant impact in a dynamic university environment.

About us

QUT is a major Australian university with a global outlook and a 'real world' focus. We are an ambitious and collaborative institution that seeks to equip our students and graduates with the skills they will need in an increasingly disrupted and challenged world.

The School of Mechanical, Medical and Process Engineering (MMPE) is one of Australia's leading engineering schools, delivering internationally recognised education and research across mechanical, medical, manufacturing, process, energy and materials engineering. The School has a strong industry focus and works closely with partners across engineering, health, energy, manufacturing, mining, food and beverage, and biotechnology sectors to address real-world challenges. Research within the School is supported by a number of nationally and internationally recognised research centres and collaborations, providing a vibrant and innovative environment for staff and students. The School is part of the Faculty of Engineering at QUT and contributes significantly to the University's teaching, research and external engagement priorities..

What you need to succeed

Relevant postgraduate qualifications and experience, or an equivalent combination of education, training and administrative management experience.
Demonstrated experience managing effectively complex administrative functions, including developing and implementing strategies, workforce planning, budget management, human resource matters and the coordination of competing priorities
Demonstrated leadership capability, including experience coordinating, mentoring or supporting others, and the capacity to develop staff, build team capability and foster a collaborative, inclusive and service-focused culture.
Demonstrated ability to lead continuous improvement initiatives, identify practical opportunities to improve administrative processes, and support the achievement of organisational priorities.
High-level written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to prepare clear correspondence and presentations, as well as support committees or working groups.
Demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity and Indigenous Australian engagement.

Life at QUT

We're committed to building a culture that fosters connection between people and purpose. Beyond personal and professional fulfillment, a career at QUT offers:

A healthy work-life balance with a blend of on-campus and off-campus work arrangements for applicable positions.
Competitive remuneration with up to 17% superannuation and leave loading of 17.5%.
Generous parental leave including primary carer parental leave of up to 26 weeks (including 17% super).
Stay healthy with Fitness Passport and enjoy discounted rates on private health insurance.
Purchased Leave Scheme - up to 8 extra weeks.
Salary Packaging Scheme for additional superannuation contributions, vehicle leasing, and on-campus services such as childcare, parking, and gyms.
Numerous opportunities for professional development including leadership programs and workshops, and our study assistance scheme.
Commitment to our Indigenous Australian staff through initiatives such as the Indigenous Australian Staff Network, Cultural and Ceremonial Leave, Staff Development Workshops, and representation on university committees.

Explore more benefits of life at QUT.

Belong at QUT

We are guided by our values of Ambition, Integrity, Inclusiveness, Innovation, and Academic Freedom and our QUT Connections in our mission to inspire and shape the next generation of change-makers.

As part of our commitment to fostering an inclusive workplace, we proudly support our Indigenous Australians Employment Strategy, aiming for an Indigenous Australian workforce participation of 3.6%. We extend a warm invitation to Aboriginal Australians and Torres Strait Islander people to join us in pursuing a rewarding career at QUT.

We believe that diversity is our strength and are dedicated to creating safe, inclusive spaces where everyone can thrive. We strongly encourage individuals from diverse cultures, ages, linguistic backgrounds, sexual orientations, and gender identities, and those who are living with disabilities to apply for positions at QUT.

At QUT, diversity is not just embraced—it's celebrated. See our commitment

How to Apply

Discover the possibilities that await with a career at QUT. If you're ready to embark on a journey of innovation and opportunity, we're excited to meet you.

Find out more about this position and submit your application by clicking 'Apply' or the link below.

View the job details at: [School Manager]

Job opens: 31-Aug-2026

Applications Close: 21-Sep-2026 at 11.30pm

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Frequently Asked Questions

🎓What qualifications are required for the QUT School Manager role?

The role requires postgraduate qualifications and relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and administrative management experience. QUT values leadership, budget management, and commitment to equity and diversity. You can explore other executive higher education roles for comparable requirements.

📋What are the core responsibilities of a School Manager at QUT?

As School Manager for the School of Mechanical, Medical and Process Engineering, you will lead school operations, provide strategic and operational advice, oversee administrative services, and manage workforce planning, budgeting, and HR matters. You will report to the Head of School and contribute to faculty senior professional staff initiatives. See administrative jobs in higher education for related roles.

🛂Does QUT offer visa sponsorship for the School Manager position?

No. Applicants must have ongoing full-time work rights in Australia. Aboriginal Australians and Torres Strait Islander people are encouraged to apply, reflecting QUT's commitment to Indigenous Australian success. Learn more about university jobs in Australia and eligibility.

💰What salary and benefits does the QUT School Manager receive?

The remuneration is $138,193 to $156,633 per annum (HEW8), inclusive of 17% superannuation and 17.5% recreation leave loading. QUT offers flexible work arrangements, generous parental leave, salary packaging, professional development, and health benefits. For broader salary benchmarks, see university salary information.

📝How do I apply for the School Manager job at QUT?

Submit your application by 21 September 2026 at 11:30 PM via the QUT careers portal. You can start by clicking the 'begin' button on the job listing. Prepare your CV and cover letter using free resume templates and free cover letter templates before applying.

📍Where is the QUT School Manager role located and what is the employment type?

The role is based at Gardens Point campus in Brisbane, QLD, on an ongoing full-time basis. You'll join one of Australia's leading engineering schools with strong industry engagement and research centres. Browse executive jobs in higher education for similar leadership opportunities.

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What the role actually involves

QUT’s schools vary, but the core of the School Manager position is consistent. You’ll manage the school’s professional staff team, partner with the head of school on strategy, and carry accountability for budget, compliance, planning and operational risk.

Operational leadership: direct professional and technical staff across teaching support, research administration, student services, facilities and external engagement.
Financial management: set and monitor budgets, forecast, report variances and allocate resources across courses, research groups and capital projects.
People and culture: oversee recruitment, onboarding, performance conversations, workload planning, workplace health and safety, and professional development.
Governance and strategy: service school committees, support accreditation and course quality reviews, and implement university policy at school level.
Stakeholder work: manage relationships with industry partners, clinical placement providers, government agencies and community organisations.

The role also has a peak load pattern. During budget season, accreditation visits and course approval rounds, a school manager can be in meetings from 8am to 6pm and then back to email. The job rewards people who can keep a school running while the head of school and academic colleagues focus on research and teaching.

At QUT, the role may sit within a school or a faculty operations team, depending on the structure. The university organises its academic work into faculties such as Business and Law, Creative Industries Education and Social Justice, Engineering, Health, and Science. School managers in larger health or engineering schools often carry bigger budgets and more complex compliance loads.

Before you apply, read the position description carefully. The reporting line matters: some school managers report to a head of school, others to a faculty general manager. The current QUT listing sets out the exact accountabilities and the key relationships.

Why this hire signals a wider shift in university operations

Australian universities have spent the past few years tightening professional staff structures, and QUT is no exception. The School Manager role has become more important because schools are expected to do more with less: course quality pressures, research income volatility, international student policy changes and new compliance obligations all land on the school’s operations team.

For candidates, that means the role isn’t just a coordinator job. It’s a role where you’ll be asked to redesign processes, absorb new reporting requirements and lead staff through change. QUT’s Brisbane campuses at Gardens Point and Kelvin Grove give the role a real operating footprint, and the university’s focus on real-world learning adds partnership and placement complexity.

The current vacancy is listed on QUT’s recruitment portal with the full position description and application instructions. If you’re serious about applying, that document is the source of truth.

What QUT will look for in your application

Selection committees for school manager roles usually want evidence in three or four specific areas. They don’t want a long list of duties from your last job. They want to see what changed because you were there.

Budget and resource outcomes: show where you cut costs, reallocated funds or improved forecast accuracy.
People leadership: name the team you led, what you changed about their work, and how retention or performance improved.
Governance and risk: describe a committee you serviced, an accreditation you supported, or a compliance gap you closed.
Change delivery: present a project or service improvement you delivered on time, with the measurable result.

If you’re coming from outside higher education, translate your language. A hospital operations manager who has handled clinical accreditation, rosters and ward budgets has more relevant experience than they think. Say so plainly. Don’t expect the panel to decode corporate shorthand.

Here’s the difference. A candidate who managed a medical practice could write: “Rebuilt the rostering system for 22 clinicians, cutting overtime costs by 18 per cent in six months while maintaining coverage.” That sentence gets shortlisted. A sentence like “responsible for practice operations” does not.

QUT also values applicants who can work with academic staff without deferring to them by default. School managers who succeed give the head of school honest operational advice, manage contested resources fairly, and protect professional staff from being treated as an afterthought.

How to apply: a clean five-step process

The QUT application goes through the NGA.net portal, and the process rewards applicants who prepare before they start typing.

Step one: read the position description. Note the classification, the direct reports, the budget size if stated, and the key accountabilities.
Step two: map your CV. For each selection criterion, write one or two concrete examples with numbers.
Step three: draft a short cover letter or statement. Open with the role, then walk through the three most important criteria. Cut every sentence that doesn’t carry evidence.
Step four: get a cold reader. If possible, ask someone who works in a university to check whether your examples make sense to an academic panel.
Step five: submit with margin. University portals can be slow, and file formats matter. Use PDF for your documents and keep file sizes under the stated limit.

If the application asks you to address selection criteria in a separate document, use each criterion as a subheading and answer it in two or three sentences. That format is still common in Australian universities and makes it easier for a shortlisting panel to find evidence.

QUT lists staff benefits including superannuation and leave under its enterprise agreement. Read the work at QUT page before you apply so there are no surprises at offer stage.

What the Brisbane market means for your application

Brisbane’s higher education job market is competitive, but school manager roles attract a smaller pool than academic positions because they require operational depth rather than a publication record. If you have genuine operations experience, you’re not competing with hundreds of casual academics.

The work also changes with funding cycles. A school that loses a research grant or gains a large international student cohort will expect its school manager to adjust the budget and staffing plan mid-year. If you’ve done that in a hospital or a government department, name it.

The challenge is proving you can handle university-specific complexity: academic workloads, course accreditation, research grant administration and enterprise bargaining conditions. The QUT position description is written for people who can manage that, not just read about it.

That means one thing for your application: every example you give should show you have made a decision with money, people or risk attached. Panels see through activity lists quickly. They interview candidates who can point to an outcome and explain how they produced it.

One action to take this week

Open the full listing, copy the key accountabilities into a blank document, and write one concrete example next to each before you touch your CV. That single exercise will tell you quickly whether you’re a real contender and where your application needs work.

Do it today. The best school manager candidates in Brisbane don’t sit on a job for ten days.

Frequently Asked Questions

📋What does a School Manager do at QUT?

The School Manager leads the professional operations of an academic school at Queensland University of Technology. The role covers budget and financial management, professional staff leadership, committee governance, compliance and strategic projects. The exact responsibilities change by school, so check the current position description before applying.

💼Is the QUT School Manager role an academic or professional staff position?

It is a professional staff role, not an academic teaching or research position. School Managers usually report to a head of school or a faculty general manager and support the teaching and research mission without carrying an academic workload.

🎓What qualifications do I need to apply for a university school manager job?

Most universities do not insist on a specific degree for school manager roles, but a relevant qualification in business, management, finance or public administration helps. Substantial experience managing budgets, teams and operations usually matters more than the piece of paper.

💰How much does a School Manager earn at QUT?

Pay depends on the QUT enterprise agreement and the classification level for the role. School manager positions at Australian universities commonly sit in the upper HEW classifications, and the current QUT listing states the salary range and superannuation details. Check the official job advertisement for the exact figure.

📍Where is the QUT School Manager role located?

QUT has two main campuses in Brisbane: Gardens Point in the city centre and Kelvin Grove in the inner north. The School Manager role is based at one of QUT’s Brisbane campuses depending on the school. The job advertisement specifies the location.

📝How do I apply for the QUT School Manager position?

Apply through QUT’s NGA recruitment portal. You can access the application form through the current listing. You will normally need to upload a CV and a statement addressing the selection criteria, and you may need to answer eligibility questions about your right to work in Australia.

🗂️What selection criteria are typically used for school manager roles?

Common criteria include operational management, financial planning, people leadership, governance and stakeholder engagement. The QUT advertisement lists the specific criteria. Address each one with a concrete example and a measurable result rather than a list of past duties.

🏛️Can I apply if I have no previous university experience?

Yes. QUT and other Australian universities hire school managers from health, government, consulting and not-for-profit backgrounds. If you have managed budgets, led staff and handled compliance, say so plainly. Translate your experience into university language so the panel can see the match.

✉️What should I include in my cover letter for a School Manager job?

Open with the role title and why you want it. Then take the three most important selection criteria and give one evidence-based example for each. Keep it short, usually two pages or less, and avoid generic phrases like ‘results-driven leader’.

🕒How long does the QUT hiring process take for a School Manager role?

University recruitment timelines vary, but professional staff roles can take several weeks from closing date to interview and offer. QUT’s listing may state a closing date and expected timeline. If it does not, ask the contact officer rather than waiting silently.

⏰Is the QUT School Manager role full-time or part-time?

The current QUT listing states the employment fraction. Most school manager positions are full-time continuing or fixed-term appointments. Flexible work arrangements may be available, but confirm the details in the position description before applying.

🎯Where can I find other school manager jobs at Australian universities?

AcademicJobs lists university professional staff roles including school manager positions. You can search the university jobs section and set up alerts for administration jobs so new roles reach you early. The QUT role is one example, but other institutions advertise similar positions across Australia.