Senior Industry Engagement Officer - Science

About the role

• $113k - $123k plus 17% Superannuation and annual leave loading
• Fixed Term –  15 Months (from Mid August 2026 to Mid November 2027)
• Full-time (35 hours per week)

The position reports to the Education Partnership Manager and has no direct reports

Specific responsibilities for this role include:

• Build and manage high-value relationships across industry, government, and community sectors, expanding opportunities for student placements, research collaboration, commercialisation, and societal impact.
• Act as the primary contact for external WIL stakeholders, managing communications and resolving urgent and sensitive matters in collaboration with the Education Partnerships Manager.
• Support the implementation of UNSW Science industry engagement strategy, ensuring alignment with Faculty and University priorities, including Work Integrated Learning (WIL), research and undergraduate teaching, and Pact for Impact initiatives.
• Coordinate high impact industry engagement activities. This includes overseeing the planning of meetings, and events, and ensuring the development of websites, documents and marketing materials that effectively support UNSW Science’s industry engagement activities.
• Collaborate with the Education Partnerships Manager and Senior External Engagement Manager to design and implement strategies that identify and target key student cohorts within UNSW Science to promote and grow participation in WIL programs, meet WIL external partner expectations, and strengthen critical industry stakeholder relationships.
• Interpret and advise external industry partners on relevant policies, procedures and legislative requirements.
• Lead initiatives to ensure engagement activities comply with University and government guidelines, embedding best practices and fostering a culture of accountability and informed decision-making across the Faculty.
• Develop and implement high-quality processes for capturing relevant data and feedback from external partners.
• Prepare professional reports and evaluations for internal and external stakeholders, to support the Deputy Dean (Education), Deputy Deans (External Engagement) and Education Partnerships Manager.
• Represent UNSW Science at relevant events, meetings and external forums, including occasional events outside of business hours, advocating for Faculty’s interests and supporting multi-party collaborations.
• Negotiate agreements and contribute to partnership development under the guidance and support of the Education Partnerships Manager.
• Participate in other ad hoc projects as required, under the direction of the Education Partnerships Manager.
• Align with and actively demonstrate the Code of Conduct and Values.
• Cooperate with all health and safety policies and procedures of the university and take all reasonable care to ensure that your actions or omissions do not impact on the psychosocial or physical health and safety of yourself or others.

About the successful applicant (Selection criteria)

To be successful in this role you will have:

• Relevant tertiary qualification preferably in a science related field, with subsequent relevant experience in strategic partnership management within higher education, research, or industry sectors, or equivalent competence gained through any combination of education, training and experience.
• Demonstrated success in designing and executing strategic engagement initiatives that deliver measurable outcomes across multiple stakeholder groups.
• Advanced negotiation and relationship management skills, with proven ability to engage senior executives and government representatives or similar stakeholders relevant to UNSW Science.
• Proven excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to engage and influence a wide range of stakeholders/client groups, and to deliver high quality public presentations.
• Demonstrated ability to deliver complex, high-quality programs with measurable outcomes that engage multiple stakeholders in either the public or private sector with a performance-oriented approach.
• Demonstrated ability to work strategically, collaboratively and productively across multi-disciplinary teams, but also to take initiative and work independently while managing competing demands.
• Excellent time management and organisational skills with a track record of managing multiple priorities, meeting deadlines and independently work under pressure on multiple tasks.
• Demonstrated experience and commitment to providing outstanding stakeholder service with the ability to support and influence staff at all levels.
• In-depth understanding of internship or work-integrated learning programs and employability opportunities relevant to UNSW Science.
• High proficiency of computer literacy, working with a range of computer systems and applications, including Microsoft Office 365 suite including Teams, One Drive, Excel, Word, PowerPoint and Outlook.
• An understanding of and commitment to UNSW’s aims, objectives and values in action, together with relevant policies and guidelines.
• Knowledge of health & safety (psychosocial and physical) responsibilities and commitment to attending relevant health and safety training.

You should systematically address the selection criteria listed within the position description in your application.

Contact: Violet Hueston
E: v.hueston@unsw.edu.au

Applications close: June 4th, 2026

The Senior Industry Engagement Officer plays a key role in supporting the strategic development and management of industry, government, and community partnerships that underpin UNSW Science’s teaching and, research objectives. Building on a strong Work Integrated Learning (WIL) program, the role coordinates stakeholder engagement and drives faculty‑wide engagement initiatives, with a view to increasing participation in Science WIL courses and connecting partners with research commercialisation opportunities within the Faculty of Science. Operating with a high degree of autonomy, the position provides expert advice, negotiates high‑value agreements, and delivers measurable growth in partnership quality and scope.

The position will work closely with the WIL Administrator and Education Partnerships Manager in the Science Education Team (SET) to support the management of several concurrent WIL programs, with a focus on external partners and industry engagement activities. They also work closely with the Faculty of Science External Engagement team to support broader partnership opportunities across other undergraduate, postgraduate coursework, and research endeavours.

Job no: 539965
Work type: Full Time
Location: Sydney, NSW
Categories: Business Development / Industry Engagement