Associate Director, Innovation and Uplift

The University of Western Australia; Perth; On-site; AUD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working options

Generous paid leave including parental

Up to 17% employer paid superannuation

Salary packaging available

Incremental progression based on 12 mo

Up to 25% discount on eligible UWA ful

Discounted health insurance

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

The University of Western Australia (UWA) is seeking an Associate Director, Innovation and Uplift to drive organizational capability, transformation and enhanced research training services. This senior role leads a high-performing team, shapes strategy and partners across the university to enhance impact and efficiency.

The successful candidate will translate strategic objectives into operational outcomes, lead service improvement initiatives and foster a culture of innovation and accountability

Qualifications

• A postgraduate qualification and significant leadership experience in research training, higher education or another complex service environment.
• Strong understanding of the Australian higher education environment and its implications for research training and service delivery.
• Demonstrated success building, leading and developing high-performing teams and creating cultures characterised by innovation, accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement.
• Demonstrated experience leading organisational capability development, operating model enhancement and service improvement initiatives within a complex service environment.
• Demonstrated ability to translate strategic objectives into operational outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Lead the ongoing development of a high-performing, engaged and future-focused professional team through workforce planning, coaching, mentoring, succession planning and professional development.
• Develop leadership capability and foster a collective culture of innovation, collaboration, accountability, continuous improvement and service excellence.
• Lead strategic improvement and transformation initiatives that deliver the GRS Strategic Plan and associated priorities, projects and initiatives.
• Promote innovation and experimentation in service delivery, business processes, systems and researcher support to enhance efficiency, effectiveness and stakeholder experience.
• Identify emerging trends and opportunities and translate these into organisational and operational improvements.
• Lead the ongoing design, optimisation and stewardship of the GRS operating model to ensure services remain effective, scalable, responsive and aligned with institutional priorities.
• Ensure services are delivered efficiently, consistently and in a manner that supports an exceptional candidate and supervisor experience.
• Establish and monitor service standards, performance expectations and quality assurance mechanisms.

Skills

Leadership experience

Strategic planning

Change management

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Postgraduate qualification

Job description

Associate Director, Innovation and Uplift

• The University of Western Australia
• Australia, WA
• Sep 1, 2026

Leadership

About The University of Western Australia

The University of Western Australia (UWA) is one of Australia's leading universities and has an international reputation for excellence in teaching, learning and research.It has almost 24,000 students enrolled across four...

• Drive strategic change and uplift across UWA’s research training services.
• Influence university-wide impact through innovation, data and strategy.
• Full-time appointment on an ongoing basis.
• Competitive salary package including 17% superannuation.

About the area

The University of Western Australia (UWA) is a member of Australia's Group of Eight and ranked among the top 100 universities (top 1% in the world). The Office of the Deputy Vice - Chancellor (Research) (DVC) has responsibility for research policy development and general oversight of the University’s research activities.

The Graduate Research School (GRS) leads and enables research training across the University, fostering an environment in which candidates, supervisors, and partners can thrive. Operating at the intersection of talent development, research excellence, and engagement, the GRS works across the entire training lifecycle, from attraction, admissions and scholarships through to candidature support, researcher development, engagement and partnerships, thesis examination and graduation. With a team of approximately 30 staff, the GRS combines strategic leadership with operational expertise to deliver an exceptional experience for higher degree by research (HDR) candidates, early to mid-career researchers, and supervisors. The School's focus extends beyond compliance and administration to the cultivation of research talent, the strengthening of supervisory capability, and the creation of opportunities that prepare graduates to contribute across academia, industry, government and the broader community.

As research training continues to evolve in response to changing workforce needs, technological transformation and growing expectations of research impact, the GRS is actively reshaping its role. Through innovation, partnership and service excellence, the GRS is building a future-focused research training ecosystem that supports individual success while advancing the University's research, innovation and societal ambitions.

About the opportunity

Organisational Capability and Culture

• Lead the ongoing development of a high-performing, engaged and future-focused professional team through workforce planning, coaching, mentoring, succession planning and professional development.
• Develop leadership capability and foster a collective culture of innovation, collaboration, accountability, continuous improvement and service excellence.

Innovation, Improvement and Transformation

• Lead strategic improvement and transformation initiatives that deliver the GRS Strategic Plan and associated priorities, projects and initiatives.
• Promote innovation and experimentation in service delivery, business processes, systems and researcher support to enhance efficiency, effectiveness and stakeholder experience.
• Identify emerging trends and opportunities and translate these into organisational and operational improvements.

Operational Excellence and Service Delivery

• Lead the ongoing design, optimisation and stewardship of the GRS operating model to ensure services remain effective, scalable, responsive and aligned with institutional priorities.
• Ensure services are delivered efficiently, consistently and in a manner that supports an exceptional candidate and supervisor experience.
• Establish and monitor service standards, performance expectations and quality assurance mechanisms.

About you

• A postgraduate qualification and significant leadership experience in research training, higher education or another complex service environment.
• Strong understanding of, and ability to interpret, the Australian higher education environment and its implications for research training and service delivery.
• Demonstrated success building, leading and developing high-performing teams and creating cultures characterised by innovation, accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement.
• Demonstrated experience leading organisational capability development, operating model enhancement and service improvement initiatives within a complex service environment.
• Demonstrated ability to translate strategic objectives into operational outcomes.
• Demonstrated ability to identify emerging opportunities, challenge conventional approaches and translate innovative ideas into practical organisational improvements.

Note: As part of the recruitment process, candidates will be required to complete declarations in accordance with the National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based Violence. A current National Police Clearance will be required by the successful applicant. Occasional interstate and international travel may be required. Some after-hours work may be required.

Please contact Professor Helene de Burgh-Woodman at [e-mail]

Closing date: 11:55 PM AWST on Tuesday, 29 September 2026

This position is open to international applicants.

Please note: Unsolicited applications from recruitment agencies will not be accepted outside of formal channels.

• Flexible working options.
• Generous paid leave including parental leave.
• Up to 17% employer paid superannuation.
• Salary packaging available.
• Incremental progression based on 12 months continuous service.
• Up to 25% discount on eligible UWA full-fee courses.
• Discounted health insurance.
• Employee Assistance Program.

About the University

The University of Western Australia (UWA) is ranked among the top 100 universities in the world and a member of the prestigious Australian Group of Eight research intensive universities. With a strong research track record, vibrant campus and working environments, supported by the freedom to innovate and inspire, there is no better time to join Western Australia’s top university.

Our commitment to inclusion and diversity

UWA is committed to a diverse workforce and an equitable and inclusive workplace. We are committed to fostering a safe environment for all, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, women, those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, the LGBTIQA+ community, and people living with disability.

If you require any reasonable adjustments, we encourage you to advise us at the time of application. Alternatively, you can contact us for assistance during the recruitment process.

If you have queries relating to your application, please contact the individual named in the advertisement. To enable a quick response, please include the 6-digit job reference number.