Senior Lead, M&DX Strategy Implementation

Why your role matters

The Marketing & Digital Experience team at UNSW plays a critical role in strengthening student recruitment and elevating the University’s global reputation. The team is responsible for positioning UNSW as the preferred destination for both domestic and international students, while enhancing brand distinctiveness and amplifying the University’s globally recognised expertise and impact.

Reporting to the Associate Director, M&DX Strategy & Transformation, the Senior Lead – M&DX Strategy Implementation provides both strategic and operational leadership across the Marketing & Digital Experience portfolio. Working closely with the Executive Leadership team, the role leads the definition, design, planning, delivery and performance monitoring of high-impact strategic initiatives across M&DX and in collaboration with faculties and divisions across the University.

The position holds end-to-end responsibility for the M&DX commercial strategy, driving innovation and leading the successful implementation of transformative initiatives that strengthen UNSW’s ability to attract high-calibre students, academics, partners and collaborators from Australia and around the world. A key focus of the role is building and maintaining strong relationships with senior stakeholders across faculties, divisions and external partners to secure engagement, alignment and successful adoption of strategic initiatives.

Leading a small team of direct reports while overseeing multiple internal and external vendor teams comprising hundreds of resources, this role will ensure the successful execution of complex, large-scale programs aligned to the University’s strategic objectives.

Specific accountabilities include:

• Lead the development and implementation of major strategic initiatives, such as the program area of the MDX Transformation function, comprising: MDX Commercial Strategy, process improvement and automation, MDX technology program management and operating model change and enablement policies, planning frameworks, and operating models.
• Provide strategic and operational input to ongoing projects, transformation efforts, and key DESE and DSIEE divisional priorities.
• Manage relationships and collaborate with executives across the University, project sponsors, and team leads to ensure alignment and project success.
• Responsible for management of the functional portfolio coordination unit that provides central oversight and project directorship to all major M&DX projects.

About You:

• A relevant tertiary qualification with extensive relevant experience or an equivalent level of knowledge gained through any other combination of education, training and/or student recruitment experience.
• Advanced commercial acumen and understanding of sales and marketing performance levers, with an ability to set targets, plan complex work plans and review return on investment.
• Strong experience shaping institutional strategy through new market, channel and pricing strategy.
• Demonstrated experience in strategic planning, program design, and implementation
• Proven ability to manage complex projects end-to-end fully independently and deliver outcomes in ambiguous or high-stakes environments.
• Strong understanding of strategic and political issues within the Higher Education sector and knowledge of the University’s governance, policy and procedure frameworks.
• Advanced stakeholder engagement skills, including experience working with senior executives and cross-functional teams.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to craft messaging and materials for executive audiences.
• Ability to navigate large, complex organisational environments and influence decision-making at multiple levels.