"Principal Advisor, Academic Quality and Policy"

Role type: Full Time; Continuing

Department: Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education)

Salary: $156,480 p.a. plus 17% super

• Lead academic quality and policy, drive TEQSA compliance and integrity initiatives and influence senior education leaders
• Apply now to lead academic quality and policy change, advising and influencing senior leaders across a world‑class university.
• Investing in you – 17% superannuation, benefits package including salary packaging, health and wellbeing programs, discounted services, and professional development opportunities.

The University of Melbourne
We take pride in our people, who all contribute to our mission to benefit society through the transformative impact of education and research. Discover more via our website.

Your next career opportunity
In this senior advisory role, you will lead academic quality and policy activities that shape the University’s education agenda. You will use your deep understanding of higher education quality standards and regulatory frameworks to inform and drive change, including TEQSA engagement and compliance. You will advise and influence senior leaders, manage a specialist team, and collaborate across the University to strengthen academic integrity, governance and policy.

What you will deliver:

• Lead academic quality and policy activities, using deep knowledge of higher education regulation.
• Advise and influence senior leaders on academic quality assurance and compliance, particularly as they relate to national regulatory frameworks (e.g.TEQSA, ESOS Act, higher education standards framework), and responses to government and sector bodies.
• Steward education policies of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, ensuring coherence, compliance and alignment with strategic objectives.
• Manage a high performing academic quality and policy team, setting priorities, developing capability and supporting staff success.
• Research and analyse complex issues to prepare high quality briefs, reports and proposals that inform strategic education decisions.

You may be a great fit if you:

• Hold relevant graduate qualifications with at least five years’ experience in higher education or public policy.
• Bring deep knowledge of higher education quality standards, TEQSA, the ESOS legislative framework and related regulatory frameworks.
• Demonstrate a strong track record in policy design, including stewardship and delivery of significant policy projects.
• Communicate complex regulatory and policy issues clearly, including to senior executives and governance committees.
• Build effective relationships, engage diverse stakeholders and negotiate through influence to ensure proposals are robust and decision-ready.

For further information please refer to the attached PD.

What we offer you!
We offer the opportunity to be part of a vibrant community and enjoy a comprehensive range of benefits to support your success and sense of fulfilment, including:

• Build future financial security with 17% superannuation
• Supportive flexible work arrangements underpinned by our commitment to inclusion and well-being
• Career development opportunities, including access to a range of tailored programs, such as Academic Women in Leadership, and learning platforms including LinkedIn Learning
• Progressive, considerate leave provisions to empower your work-life balance and well-being, including leading parental leave, gender affirmation leave and cultural leave
• Salary packaging and access to a range of discounted services including Bupa health insurance, and access to unique cultural and recreational benefits such as discounts for the Melbourne Theatre Company
• Health and well-being services including a leading Employee Assistance Program

For more information check out our benefits page!

Your new team – Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education)
Led by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education), this portfolio is responsible for delivering the University’s Education strategy. The portfolio provides strategic leadership across education and the student experience and works in close partnership with Faculties, other Chancellery divisions, and external organisations.

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) portfolio includes:

• The Office of the DVCE, including strategic oversight of areas teaching learning and assessment, curriculum and program innovation, quality assurance and compliance, student experience, academic teaching practice, educational infrastructure and widening participation.
• Students and Scholarly Services and the Office of the Academic Registrar, which delivers the full range of student-facing services, including admissions, enrolments, student support, wellbeing, libraries, and student success programs.
• Melbourne Professional Education, which leads the University’s professional and continuing education activities, building capability in individuals and organisations.

The portfolio plays a central role in shaping how the University supports its students, strengthens educational quality, and engages with the wider community.

Application essentials:

• Visit "apply with us" to learn more about the process, including tips and FAQs.
• You must have current valid work rights for Australia. Visa sponsorship is not available for this role.
• A Working with Children Check is required for all positions. If successful, we will guide you through the process and reimburse you.
• Please upload your resume and a cover letter outlining your interest and experience as part of the application process.
• Please upload your responses to the following Selection Criteria, found in the Position Description.

1. Relevant graduate qualifications and a minimum of five years of experience working in higher education or public policy, or an equivalent combination of relevant experience and/or education
2. Deep understanding of the higher education context including federal government quality standards, frameworks, legislation and processes, including TEQSA, the Higher Education Standards Framework and the ESOS Act
3. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including experience in policy drafting, compliance reporting and communicating with senior executives
4. Demonstrated experience in policy design and management, including experience delivering significant policy related projects
5. Experience managing staff and building successful teams, including demonstrated experience handling difficult situations effectively and sensitively

Want to know more?

• For queries related to this specific position, contact Jacqui Williams - jkw@unimelb.edu.au
• For questions related to our recruitment process email Walid at hr-careers@unimelb.edu.au
• For recruitment adjustments contact Kim Groizard on +61 3 9035 3218 or at hr-careers@unimelb.edu.au (subject: 'Recruitment Adjustments').

Apply today, and join a community that’s shaping the future.

Applications close: 12 April 2026, 11:55 PM; Melbourne time zone.

Position Description:

JR-011460 Principal Advisor, Academic Quality and Policy PD.pdf

JR-011460 Principal Advisor, Academic Quality and Policy PD (accessible).docx