Director, Global Program Liaison

Western Sydney University; City of Parramatta; Hybrid; AUD 170,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Financial benefits

Health & wellbeing support

Onsite childcare

Job summary

Western Sydney University invites an accomplished senior leader to oversee governance, integration and delivery of partner-delivered academic programs across its transnational portfolio. Based at Parramatta South, the role requires coordinating Schools, Faculties and international partners to ensure compliant and high-quality program delivery.

You will lead governance frameworks, approvals and operating model integration across international campuses and offshore sites, including Indonesia,

Qualifications

• Postgraduate qualification in education, management, international education, higher education administration or related field.
• Extensive senior leadership experience in higher education or transnational education.
• Deep knowledge of governance, curriculum management and policy compliance.

Responsibilities

• Lead governance approvals and operating-model integration for partner-delivered programs.
• Coordinate inter-school and international partner activities across multiple campuses.
• Provide strategic advice on new markets, program expansion and operational readiness.
• Ensure quality, risk controls and academic integrity across programs.
• Represent the University in partner engagements and executive briefings.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Governance

Stakeholder engagement

Policy compliance

Risk management

Education

Postgraduate qualification in education or related field

Job description

• Full-time, Senior Position on a 5-Year Fixed-Term Contract.
• Parramatta South campus with flexible working arrangements.
• Competitive senior-level remuneration, commensurate with experience.

Lead the governance, integration and delivery of partner programs across Western’s expanding transnational education portfolio.

The Opportunity

You will provide senior strategic and operational leadership for Western Sydney University’s global and partner-delivered academic programs. Working across jurisdictions and organisational boundaries, you will serve as a central point of coordination between Schools, Faculties, central portfolios and international partners and operations.

You will lead institutional liaison, governance approvals and operating model integration across Western’s expanding transnational education portfolio. This currently includes international campuses and delivery locations in Indonesia, India and Vietnam. Your work will support the fourth priority of Western 2030, Unlocking global impact, by taking Western Sydney to the world.

You will establish governance frameworks, decision pathways, quality controls and risk arrangements that support academically assured, compliant and sustainable program delivery. You will coordinate curriculum approvals, teaching readiness, progression, resulting and student administration activities across multiple academic calendars and operating environments.

You will represent the University in strategic partner engagements and advise on the feasibility, readiness and sustainability of new and expanded programs. You will also oversee significant initiatives including executive visits, delegations, graduations, industry and alumni engagement, student mobility and scholarship coordination.

This role requires occasional international travel and regular interaction with offshore staff outside normal working hours to accommodate time differences. Experience working in a multicampus environment will position you well to manage the complexity of Western’s campuses and delivery locations.

What Success Looks Like:

• Establish effective governance, approval and escalation frameworks for offshore and partner-delivered programs.
• Align Schools, Faculties, central portfolios and international partners around clear delivery priorities and responsibilities.
• Maintain strong quality, compliance and risk controls as the University’s transnational education portfolio grows.
• Coordinate academic operations so curriculum changes, teaching periods, progression, resulting and student administration remain compliant and on schedule.
• Provide clear strategic advice on new markets, program expansion, operational readiness and partner requirements.

Please refer to the Position Description for full details.

About You

• A relevant postgraduate qualification in education, management, international education, higher education administration, public policy or a related field, or an equivalent combination of senior experience and education or training.
• Extensive senior leadership experience in higher education, transnational education, academic operations, academic governance, international partnerships or a comparable complex institution.
• Deep knowledge of academic governance, curriculum management, quality assurance, policy compliance, student administration and risk management.
• Demonstrated success influencing senior stakeholders and working across campuses, jurisdictions, cultures, partners and organisational systems.
• Highly developed judgement and communication skills, including experience resolving complex issues and preparing executive briefings, governance papers and partner communications.

We invest in the people who make our mission possible. Alongside a rewarding career, we offer a range of benefits designed to support your financial, personal and family wellbeing.

• Financial benefits: Access to staff-only products and offers with selected banking partners, salary sacrifice options for onsite parking, and novated motor vehicle leasing.
• Health and wellbeing support: Free Employee Assistance Program (EAP), complimentary annual flu vaccination, eligibility for Fitness Passport membership, and access to discounted private health cover.
• Onsite childcare: Long day care and early learning services operate at our Campbelltown, Hawkesbury, Parramatta, and Penrith campuses. Staff may be eligible for discounted fees and salary packaging, with places subject to centre capacity.
• Position Enquiries: Direct to Dr Nicolene Murdoch, Pro Vice-Chancellor: Global Partnerships and Transnational Education via [e-mail]. Please include the job reference code REF1903F.
• Closing Date: 11:59pm, 25 October 2026.
• Working Rights: You must provide evidence of your full-time working rights in Australia for the full term of the appointment at time of application. Employer visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

We are committed to substantive equality as outlined in our Equal Opportunity Policy. We actively encourage applications from Indigenous Australians, candidates of all gender identities and expressions, people of all abilities, and those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

For reasonable adjustments during the application process, please contact [e-mail].

About Western

This is your opportunity to be part of something bigger. By joining Western Sydney University, you become a valued member of our community. As our region changes, so too does our university. Western is boldly different, energetic, global, diverse, dynamic, and youthful.

Our mission is to deliver student success, impactful research, and stronger communities. As part of our team, you will have a stake in shaping the future of education, broadening horizons, and changing lives. Making a difference starts at Western.

For the latest please visit our website and LinkedIn.