Education Innovation Manager

UNSW; Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 119,000 - 145,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working options

Career development

17% Superannuation

Leave loading payments

Extra 3 days of leave at Christmas

Job summary

UNSW is seeking an Education Innovation Manager to lead the design and delivery of innovative educational strategies. You will drive curriculum pilots, evaluate outcomes, and collaborate with faculties to scale successful initiatives with evidence-based approaches.

The role requires extensive experience in digital learning, educational technology, stakeholder engagement, and cross-functional leadership within a complex university setting. Hybrid work is available at Kensington NSW.

Qualifications

• Strong project management and change management experience in higher education.
• Experience designing and evaluating blended or online learning solutions.
• Experience engaging with diverse academic and professional stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and implementation of innovative educational strategies aligned with UNSW goals.
• Pilot curriculum innovations through the Education Innovation Incubator program.
• Promote technology and AI use to enrich learning and delivery flexibility.
• Build partnerships across faculties and external partners for educational projects.
• Advise stakeholders and communicate project plans to drive adoption.

Skills

Project management

Curriculum design

Educational technology

Stakeholder engagement

Data-driven decision making

Change management

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Tertiary qualifications in education or related field

Postgraduate qualifications in Education or Technology Management

Tools

Learning management systems

AI in education

Job description

• Employment Type: Full Time (35 hours per week)
• Remuneration: Level 8 from $132k + 17% superannuation & leave loading
• Location: Kensington NSW (hybrid working arrangements)

This Job is based in Australia

• Employment Type: Full Time (35 hours per week)
• Duration: Fixed Term Contract until Dec 2027
• Remuneration: Level 8 from $132k + 17% superannuation & leave loading
• Location: Kensington NSW (hybrid working arrangements)

Why your role matters

The Education Innovation Manager sits within the Education Innovation & Partnerships team in UNSW’s Pro Vice-Chancellor, Education portfolio. Through the Education Innovation Incubator program, the role works with Faculties to identify, shape, prioritise and pilot new ideas and solutions.

Using design thinking and strong project and change management, the Manager guides initiatives from concept towards implementation, ensuring they are inclusive, scalable and informed by evidence. Working across Faculties and central divisions, the role supports continuous improvement in teaching and student support, helping strengthen the quality and impact of the UNSW education experience.

The role reports to the Lead, Education Innovation and has no direct reports.

Specific Accountabilities Include

• Provide leadership for the design and implementation of innovative educational strategies, ensuring alignment with UNSW’s strategic goals in education.
• Drive curriculum innovation pilots and projects from planning, execution, and evaluation in partnership with academic leaders and faculty staff through the Innovation Incubator program.
• Explore and promote the effective use of technology solutions and artificial intelligence (AI) in education to enrich the student learning experience and increase flexibility in program delivery.
• Build and maintain strong partnerships to support educational innovation, working across all UNSW faculties and with central divisions to ensure a unified approach to educational projects. It also involves developing external partnerships (e.g. with industry, other educational institutions, or ed-tech providers) to bring in new ideas, resources, or opportunities that enhance UNSW’s educational offerings.
• Act as a key liaison and advisor on educational innovation matters by consulting and collaborating with a wide range of stakeholders, including Faculty education leaders, academic staff, and student representatives, to gather input, communicate project plans, and facilitate the adoption of new initiatives.

About You

• Relevant tertiary qualifications in education, instructional design, educational technology or a related field, and substantial experience in higher education learning and teaching innovation. Postgraduate qualifications (e.g. in Education or Technology Management) and/or equivalent professional experience in educational development are highly regarded.
• Extensive knowledge of digital learning technologies and pedagogies. Proven experience in developing and implementing online or blended learning solutions, with familiarity in learning management systems and tools to support hybrid delivery of courses.
• Strong experience in curriculum design and pedagogical innovation.
• Familiarity with current trends in artificial intelligence as they apply to education.
• Excellent project management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple initiatives simultaneously, including the capacity to plan strategically, set priorities, manage budgets, meet deadlines, and achieve project objectives in a complex organizational environment.
• Proven ability to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders (academics, professional staff, external partners, and students), to influence and drive change, and to communicate complex ideas clearly through presentations, training, and written reports.
• A strong record of successfully working across disciplinary and departmental boundaries, forging relationships and networks that facilitate knowledge-sharing and co-creation of initiatives.
• Demonstrated ability to use data, research, and feedback to inform decision-making and evaluate the impact of educational initiatives. A continuous improvement mindset with a willingness to experiment, learn, and adapt in pursuit of excellence in teaching and learning.
• Understanding of the higher education environment, including key issues and trends in student learning, academic skills development (such as language and literacy embedding), quality assurance, and regulatory requirements.

For further details on role responsibilities and skills & experience required, refer to the position description found under the position listing on Jobs@UNSW

Benefits And Culture

People are at the core of everything we do. We recognise it is the contributions of our staff who make UNSW one of the best universities in Australia and the world.

Our Benefits Include

• Flexible working options.
• Career development opportunities.
• 17% Superannuation contributions and additional leave loading payments.
• Additional 3 days of leave over Christmas period.
• Discounts and entitlements (retail, education, fitness).

For further details on the benefits, please visit https://www.jobs.unsw.edu.au/lifestyle-benefits

Pre-Employment Checks

As part of our recruitment process candidates may be required to undergo pre-employment screening, which may include reference checks, qualification verification, right-to-work verification, and criminal history screening where relevant to the role.

UNSW is committed to equity diversity and inclusion. Applications from women, people of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, those living with disabilities, members of the LGBTIQ+ community; and people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent, are encouraged. UNSW provides workplace adjustments for people with disability, and access to flexible work eligible staff.