Director Planning and Performance

Charles Darwin University; Darwin; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Free on-campus parking

Salary packaging

Job summary

Charles Darwin University is seeking a Director of Planning and Performance to provide executive leadership for data-driven decision making. You will oversee a team delivering management information, planning, and performance reporting to support university strategy and operations.

You will manage student data reporting, government funding negotiations, and market research, shaping strategic initiatives. The role requires senior leadership experience in a large, complex organisation and strong

Qualifications

• Postgraduate qualifications with extensive planning/BI leadership experience.
• Experience guiding planning and decision making in complex organisations.
• Strong ability to interpret policy, funding and governance requirements.
• Proven track record in market research, BI and performance analysis.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of management information and BI services to support planning.
• Develop quality performance monitoring and reporting tools for decision makers.
• Support Senior Executive Team in strategic responsibilities and workload planning.
• Oversee statutory student data reporting for higher education and vocational sectors.
• Foster a high-performing, collaborative team culture with stakeholders across the University.

Skills

Leadership

Data analytics

Market research

Stakeholder engagement

Team management

Education

Postgraduate qualifications

Tools

Power BI

SQL

Job description

Senior Employment - remuneration on discussion

Fixed Term, Full Time Appointment | Senior Employment Contract
Located at our Casuarina Campus | Larrakia Country
Relocation Assistance available

Lead the University’s integrated planning, review and strategic information services while leading and driving the University’s analytics and business intelligence and market research functions.

About the Position

As the Director of Planning and Performance, you will provide executive leadership, advice and support for data driven decision making. The Director leads a team of skilled professionals in the provision of excellent quality planning, review, and management information to support the University’s strategic and operational planning.

The Director is also responsible for overseeing the student related statutory reporting services and supporting the executive in management and negotiation of the Higher Education and Vocational Education and Training government funding agreements and associated Government policy, legislation, and procedures.

The Director drives improved performance across the University by working closely with the senior executive and university-wide management, to set, monitor and review strategic and operational initiatives and performance.

What You’ll Do:

• Lead the continuous development of a management information and business intelligence service to support the planning framework, process and decision making at corporate and local levels.
• Develop quality performance monitoring, benchmarking and reporting tools and lead the effective and pervasive adoption of their use by decision makers across all University business units.
• Provide support to the Senior Executive Team in executing their key strategic responsibilities including for example: academic workload planning, student enrolment and load planning, course profile planning, course viability assessment, market research and evaluation, business case development and university ranking analysis.
• Manage the statutory reporting requirements relating to student data for both the Higher Education and Vocational Education & Training sectors.
• Manage the analysis of relevant surveys and benchmarking relative to performance data to help inform and shape strategic developments across the University.
• Create a high performing team culture, characterised by discipline and operational excellence, and a culture of continuous improvement, where ongoing provision of high-quality service to University stakeholders is a priority.
• Build strong and effective relationships with key stakeholders, within and outside of the Division and University.

What we are looking for:

• Postgraduate qualifications and extensive relevant experience in guiding the planning and decision making in a complex organisation or an equivalent combination of experience and qualification.
• Experience in the Higher Education and/or Vocational Education & Training with a thorough understanding of Government policy, legislation, funding and procedures associated with the sectors, including a demonstrated ability to interpret appropriate policies, regulations, guidelines and other relevant legislative and compliance requirements and accountabilities.
• Experience in successfully leading and implementing enterprise business intelligence, data warehouse and/or performance and reporting systems which support strategic goals.
• Superior demonstrated analytical and problem-solving skills with an in-depth understanding of, and experience in, current methods and development in market research, business intelligence and analysis, including the ability to clearly articulate and present complex information in a meaningful and useful form.
• Demonstrated experience providing strong leadership and management capabilities and demonstrated high achievement at a senior level in a large and/or complex organisation, including proven ability to lead and manage a team utilising cooperative approaches.
• Demonstrated high level management skills showing ability to deliver outcomes in a dynamic, service focused organisation, using own initiative, creativity and innovative work practices.
• Demonstrated high level interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills, including the ability to work with a diverse range of internal and external stakeholders.

Appointment is contingent upon receipt of a satisfactory National Criminal History check and a valid NT Working with Children clearance

First Nations Priority Recruitment Measures

While this vacancy is open to all applicants, First Nations applicants are strongly encouraged to apply & will be granted priority consideration for this vacancy, in accordance with s57 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1992 (NT) 1992. More information on First Nations Priority Recruitment at CDU and how to apply, available here.

What's in it for you?

• An enviable lifestyle in the spectacular Northern Territory | Relocation Assistance provided to aid in relocating to Darwin
• Four weeks of paid annual leave plus a range of other generous leave provisions
• Up to 26 weeks of paid parental leave (eligibility criteria apply)
• Salary Packaging opportunities
• Ability to negotiate transfer of leave entitlements under the Public Employment (Mobility) Act 1989
• Free on-campus parking
• Employee Assistance Program
• Recognition of prior service with another Australian university/NT Government for Long Service Leave (recognition applied to qualifying period only)
• An employer who values your contribution to building a bigger, better and stronger University
• Work with a University committed to changing people’s lives for the better through training, education, and research
• Opportunities for professional development as well as access to over 5,000 courses via LinkedIn learning corporate membership

Work Health and Safety

CDU is committed to providing a physical and psychological safe working environment. Confidential support can also be provided to employees who may be experiencing domestic, family, or sexual violence outside the workplace.

Charles Darwin University is guided by our core values of Courage, Kindness, Openness, Innovation, and Leadership, which shape our daily actions and decisions. CDU is committed to being a safe and inclusive organisation for everyone.

As part of the Charles Darwin University’s commitment to providing a safe, respectful and rewarding workplace, and to meeting our legal obligations, we ask candidates to declare whether they have ever been investigated for an allegation of Gender Based Violence or found to have engaged in conduct that constitutes Gender Based Violence, in any previous employment or through any legal process.

This information assists us to comply with the National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender Based Violence and will be considered when assessing a candidate’s suitability for employment, to help ensure the safety of our University community.

Diversity and Inclusion

At CDU, we actively celebrate our diversity and believe that our differences will make CDU the must connected University in Australia. We are committed to maintaining a culture where every member of our University community feels respected, safe, encouraged to speak up and supported in achieving their professional goals, and that they truly belong.

Applications from First Nations people, women at all levels, culturally and racially marginalised people, people with disability, neurotypical and neurodiverse people, LGBTQIA+ people, people with family and caring responsibilities and people at all stages of their careers are welcomed.

You make CDU. And we want you to be exactly who you are.

Applications Close: Tuesday 20th October 2026

For a confidential discussion about the position please contact Penny Szybiak, Vice-President Corporate via email [e-mail] to arrange a time.