Executive Director, Office of the Vice-Chancellor, Adelaide University

Boyden ANZ; South Australia; On-site; AUD 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational institution in South Australia seeks an inaugural Executive Director for the Office of the Vice-Chancellor. The role involves guiding strategic initiatives and fostering relationships across the university's stakeholders. Candidates must possess extensive leadership experience and outstanding emotional intelligence. This position offers a unique opportunity to impact the future of education in Australia.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in a senior advisory or executive leadership role.
• Demonstrated emotional intelligence with the capability to handle complex projects.
• Outstanding communication and data-driven decision-making skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the office of the Vice-Chancellor and manage institution-wide initiatives.
• Develop relationships across domestic and international stakeholders.
• Oversee a small team supporting the Vice-Chancellor.

Skills

Emotional intelligence

Outstanding communication skills

Ability to influence and inspire

Creative thinking

Data-led decision making

Job description

Executive Director, Office of the Vice-Chancellor, Adelaide University

Opening the doors to students in 2026, Adelaide University is transforming education for contemporary learners and global citizens. Building on a proud legacy and shaped by bold ambition, it is a place of excellence and equity, where a vibrant community of staff united by purpose are building a university that inspires Australia's future change-makers and leads to a better tomorrow. With values of Trust, Inclusivity, Ambition, Respect, and Discovery at the heart of everything it does, Adelaide University is committed to fostering an inclusive and collaborative culture where everyone feels genuinely valued and empowered to thrive.

At this unique moment in South Australia’s history, Adelaide University seeks its inaugural Executive Director, to lead the office of the new Vice Chancellor. Working collaboratively across the university and its stakeholder partners, the Executive Director will play a key role in providing trusted, strategic advice to the Vice Chancellor and drive institution-wide programs, projects and initiatives. They will develop and maintain strong relationships between the office of the Vice-Chancellor, the University’s portfolios and colleges as well as the full breadth of its domestic and international external stakeholders. The Executive Director will also manage a small team that supports the Vice-Chancellor’s office.

The Executive Director will bring extensive experience in an equivalent senior advisory or executive leadership capacity within a complex, multi-stakeholder environment. Demonstrating a high degree of emotional intelligence, candidates will have the ability to conceptualise and deliver concurrent, complex and potentially sensitive strategic priorities and high impact projects. Outstanding communication skills and a data-led approach to decision making are essential, as is the ability to influence, inspire, think creatively and exercise sound judgement.

To learn more about this unique opportunity please contact our advising consultants at Boyden on [phone].

Responsibilities

• Lead the office of the Vice-Chancellor and drive institution-wide programs, projects and initiatives.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships between the office of the Vice-Chancellor, the University’s portfolios and colleges, and the full breadth of its domestic and international external stakeholders.
• Manage a small team that supports the Vice-Chancellor’s office.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in an equivalent senior advisory or executive leadership capacity within a complex, multi-stakeholder environment.
• Demonstrated emotional intelligence with the ability to conceptualise and deliver concurrent, complex and potentially sensitive strategic priorities and high-impact projects.
• Outstanding communication skills and a data-led approach to decision making.
• Ability to influence, inspire, think creatively and exercise sound judgement.

Additional information

What can I earn as an Executive Director