Global Operations Director, International Education & Partnerships

Search; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Australian Catholic University in Melbourne, VIC, invites applications for the role of Director, Global Operations. Fixed-term, full-time appointment for five years, based at ACU's North Sydney or Melbourne campus.

The Director will shape the next phase of ACU's international engagement under Vision 2033, turning global strategy into tangible outcomes through partnerships, offshore activities and cross-faculty collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Shape how ACU delivers its international engagement under Vision 2033.
• Turn global strategy into tangible outcomes across education partnerships and offshore activities.
• Lead cross faculties, professional portfolios and Global teams to deliver priorities.
• Establish governance, resourcing and performance arrangements across organisational boundaries.
• Provide trusted advice to the Pro-Vice-Chancellor Global and manage strategic initiatives.

Job description

Australian Catholic University – Melbourne VIC

Campus Location: North Sydney, Australia | Melbourne, Australia

• Help shape ACU's next phase of international engagement
• Bring institutional expertise together to deliver on global ambition
• Full-time, fixed-term (5 year) appointment
• Based at ACU's North Sydney or Melbourne campus

Australian Catholic University (ACU) is a public institution grounded in Catholic tradition, dedicated to academic excellence, human dignity and the common good. With campuses across Australia, a campus in Rome, the Human Flourishing Centre in Indonesia, and an expanding online presence. Guided by Vision 2033, ACU combines a strong Australian presence with an increasingly connected international footprint.

Reporting to the Pro-Vice-Chancellor Global, the Director, Global Operations offers an opportunity to shape how ACU delivers its next phase of international engagement under Vision 2033. Working across faculties and professional portfolios, the Director will turn global strategy into tangible outcomes, from new education partnerships to the development of ACU's offshore activities, while building the models and institutional capability that enable lasting success.

A collaborator and integrator, the Director will bring together faculties, professional portfolios and Global teams to deliver shared priorities. The role will connect international initiatives with the University's academic and professional expertise, establish clear responsibilities and strengthen planning, governance, resourcing and performance arrangements across organisational boundaries.

Working with academic and professional leaders, the Director will establish and manage the operational arrangements supporting major Global initiatives, including transnational education, international partnerships, the Rome campus, the Human Flourishing Centre and other offshore activities. The role will manage implementation plans and dependencies, resolve barriers to delivery and ensure appropriate oversight of financial, regulatory, operational and reputational risk within its remit.

The role may also include responsibility for developing selected international relationships or markets, with scope and priorities agreed with the Pro-Vice-Chancellor Global. Working closely with relevant Global leads, faculties and professional portfolios, the Director will progress opportunities from initial engagement through to implementation.

As a key member of the Global leadership team, the Director will provide trusted advice to the Pro-Vice-Chancellor Global and exercise sound judgement about priorities, resources and emerging risks. Success will require the ability to build productive relationships, secure decisions and sustain delivery through competing demands and changing external conditions.

ACU is seeking an accomplished leader with a demonstrated record of implementing strategy, shaping operating models and delivering complex initiatives across organisational boundaries. The successful candidate will combine strategic thinking with commercial and financial acumen, strong governance and risk judgement, and a practical approach to building institutional capability.

Experience in international education, transnational education or global partnerships will be highly regarded. Candidates may bring relevant experience from higher education or another large, complex organisation with an international remit. A collaborative leadership style, the ability to build shared ownership and a record of leading change will be central to the appointment.

ACU has partnered with Kuras Leadership Search for the recruitment of this position. For a confidential discussion or to request a copy of the Candidate Information Pack, please contact Betty Kuras on [phone] or via email at *****@kurasleadershipsearch.com, quoting job code 2688.