Director, Graduate Futures

Macquarie University Employees, Location, Alumni; Sydney; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

17% Superannuation

Flexible hybrid work arrangements

Subsidised onsite parking

Onsite childcare facilities

Extensive training and professional发展

Job summary

Macquarie University invites applications for Director, Graduate Futures to lead the Graduate Futures team and shape employability, career readiness and global mobility for students across faculties and campuses.

The role reports to the Pro Vice-Chancellor Education and focuses on strategic leadership, future-ready curricula, and industry partnerships to enhance work-readiness for Macquarie graduates in a rapidly evolving workplace.

Qualifications

• Degree and postgraduate qualifications (or equivalent) in a relevant field.
• Demonstrated experience leading student-facing functions in higher education or in careers/employability/global education.
• Proven track record delivering high-impact programs in careers, employability, work-integrated learning, and student mobility.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership: provide visionary guidance for the Graduate Futures function.
• Future Ready Implementation: guide transdisciplinary unit implementation across undergraduate courses.
• AI-Ready Graduates: help graduates navigate and use AI tools in professional contexts.
• Corporate and Industry Engagement: foster partnerships and act as a credible institutional voice.
• Student Exchange and Global Mobility: oversee inbound/outbound exchange programs.
• Impact and Evaluation: measure program impact and drive continuous improvement.
• People Leadership: mentor and develop a team of ~25–30 staff.

Skills

Strategic leadership

People management

Stakeholder engagement

Graduate employability

Global mobility

AI-readiness

Education

Master's degree or equivalent

Leadership experience in higher education

Job description

Job Description

Lead the Graduate Futures team providing programs and support to students across employability, career readiness and global mobility.

• Attractive senior contract negotiable including 17% superannuation
• Full-time, 5 year appointment (renewable)
• Macquarie University, Wallumattagal Campus, North Ryde

Shape graduate futures, build meaningful partnerships and create impact at scale

Macquarie University is seeking an outstanding leader to join us as Director, Graduate Futures within the Pro Vice-Chancellor Education (PVCE) portfolio. This is a rare opportunity to play a pivotal role in shaping how Macquarie students transition from university into the world of work - locally, nationally, and globally.

Reporting to the Pro Vice-Chancellor Education, you will provide strategic and operational leadership across student employability, career readiness, and global mobility, helping to ensure that every Macquarie graduate is equipped to thrive in workplaces increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence and emerging technologies. You will guide the University-wide implementation of the Future Ready transdisciplinary unit, oversee inbound and outbound student exchange programs, and build the partnerships and platforms that position Macquarie as a partner of choice for producing work-ready, future-focused graduates.

This is a position for someone who is energised by impact, collaboration, and innovation at scale. If you are motivated by helping students build the skills, literacies and adaptability they need to succeed in a rapidly changing world, we would like to hear from you.

About the Role

The Director, Graduate Futures provides strategic and operational leadership in the advancement of student employability, career readiness, and global mobility across all student cohorts and faculties. Partnering closely with faculty stakeholders, industry partners, and exchange organisations, you will help ensure that work integrated learning, global experience, and employability preparedness are accessible, impactful, and coherent across the full student lifecycle.

Key responsibilities include:

• Strategic Leadership: Provide visionary, best-practice guidance and strategic direction for the Graduate Futures function, keeping its programs aligned with the University's broader goals — including its commitments to graduate employability, AI-readiness, and student mobility.
• Future Ready Implementation: Guide the University-wide implementation of the transdisciplinary Future Ready unit across all undergraduate courses, partnering with faculty education leaders, curriculum teams, and the broader PVCE portfolio to enable consistent, high-quality, and scalable delivery.
• AI-Ready Graduates: Work with faculty partners and industry to help graduates navigate, critically evaluate, and effectively use AI tools in professional contexts, and to prepare them for labour market transitions driven by automation and technological change.
• Corporate and Industry Engagement: Foster a culture of partner stewardship, represent Macquarie in relevant industry forums, and act as a credible institutional voice on graduate capability and the future of work.
• Student Exchange and Global Mobility: Provide strategic oversight of inbound and outbound student exchange programs, keeping these well-integrated with broader employability and curriculum strategies and accessible to diverse student cohorts.
• Impact and Evaluation: Measure, analyse, and assess the real-world impact of programs and services on graduate outcomes, using evidence to inform continuous improvement and responsiveness to employer and market needs.
• People Leadership: Guide, mentor, develop, and motivate a team of approximately 25-30 staff to deliver high-quality, accessible, and valued programs, and to help build a collaborative, high-achieving culture.

About Us

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) is the Chief Academic Officer of the University and holds overall responsibility for the planning, quality, and delivery of education to Macquarie's undergraduate and postgraduate students. The PVCE provides senior leadership in developing and implementing strategies that advance educational excellence, student access, widening participation, academic success, graduate outcomes, and the Macquarie University College.

You will be joining a dynamic portfolio at the heart of Macquarie's academic mission, partnering with Faculty education leaders, industry and exchange partners, Student Services teams, and a range of internal and external stakeholders.

About You (Selection Criteria)

You are a strategic, commercially aware, and people-centred leader with deep expertise in graduate employability, careers, work integrated learning, and/or global mobility. You bring a well-developed understanding of the future of work, including the impact of AI and emerging technologies on graduate skills demand, and you are skilled at translating that understanding into programs that genuinely improve outcomes for students.

• A degree and postgraduate qualifications (or equivalent) in a relevant field.
• Demonstrated experience in the leadership and management of student-facing functions in higher education , or substantial relevant industry experience in careers, employability, or global education.
• Proven record of delivering high-impact programs in careers and employability, work integrated learning, curriculum-embedded employability, and/or student mobility.
• Demonstrated experience guiding large-scale, University- wide curriculum or program implementation initiatives , including the ability to engage and influence diverse academic and professional stakeholders.
• Expert knowledge of emerging social, economic, and technological trends relating to employment, the future of work, and graduate outcomes — including the impact of AI and automation on skills demand.
• Demonstrated success in building external relationships , with the ability to translate employer insights and market intelligence into responsive program and curriculum innovation.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to build credibility and engage at senior levels with academics, professional staff, industry partners, and regulatory bodies.
• A sound understanding of the Australian higher education regulatory framework (including TEQSA standards) and a global perspective on student exchange, mobility, and international education partnerships.

Pre-Employment Checks

Macquarie University cultivates a workplace defined by safety, ethical conduct, and strong integrity. Prior to completion of an offer of employment, preferred candidates will be required to participate in a combination of pre-employment checks relevant to the role they have applied for.

Your employment is conditional upon the completion and maintenance of all role-required pre-employment or background checks in terms satisfactory to the University.

Why Join Us?

Macquarie is a university engaged with the real and often complex problems and opportunities that define our lives. Since our foundation over 60 years ago, we have aspired to be a different type of university. Over the years, we have grown to become the centre of a vibrant local and global community. Connect with us today.

We rank amongst the top employers in the Australian Workplace Employers Index. Explore the fantastic benefits available to you when you become part of the team at Macquarie University.

• Flexible, hybrid work arrangements
• 17% Superannuation
• Subsidised onsite parking options
• Extensive training and professional development programs
• Onsite childcare facilities to support working parents
• Onsite vacation care during school holidays
• Discounted health insurance
• Subsidised membership at our Sport & Aquatic Centre
• Access to an Employee Assistance Program for free and confidential support
• Convenient onsite GP, imaging, and physiotherapy clinics

A Place Where You Belong

At Macquarie, we believe diversity makes us stronger, inclusion drives our success, and belonging inspires us to do our best work. We are proud to foster a community where different backgrounds, identities, and experiences are valued, and where our people are empowered to thrive through supportive leadership, shared responsibility, and a deep commitment to genuine care and respect for our community. Find out more about our vision for a truly inclusive workplace in our Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging Framework.

Flexible Work

At Macquarie, we believe by providing flexibility in when, where and how work is done, we can support our staff to manage their personal commitments, while optimising their work performance and contributions to the University. See how we lead in flexible work to enable an outcome focused and inclusive workplace. To learn more about our culture and hiring process, visit our Jobs at Macquarie page.

For enquiries, or a confidential conversation about the role please contact Taryn Jones, Pro Vice-Chancellor Education at [e-mail] or Sarah Bate, Head of Talent Acquisition at [e-mail].