Head of College

The University of Western Australia; Perth; On-site; AUD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Western Australia seeks a visionary Head of College to lead University Hall, guiding residential education, wellbeing, and community development for 750+ students and staff. You will drive financial performance, operations, and strategic initiatives in a high-profile, inclusive campus setting.

Lead a multidisciplinary team, foster talent, and build enduring partnerships with students, staff and alumni, ensuring a safe, high-performing living-learning environment and exceptional

Qualifications

• Senior leadership experience with a track record of driving strategic initiatives and organisational change.
• Strong financial and operational management capabilities, including budget oversight and performance management.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills with experience in residential or community settings.
• Commitment to inclusion, safety, and duty of care within a university context.
• Experience building and leading high-performing teams and fostering accountability.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for all aspects of University Hall, including residential education, student wellbeing, community development, operations and financial performance.
• Lead and develop a multidisciplinary team to deliver an outstanding student experience through academic support, wellbeing initiatives and extracurricular activities.
• Build and maintain strong partnerships with students, staff, alumni and the wider university to position University Hall as a leading collegiate residential community.

Skills

Strategic leadership

People management

Stakeholder engagement

Budget oversight

Education

Postgraduate qualifications preferred

Relevant tertiary qualification

Job description

About The University of Western Australia

The University of Western Australia (UWA) is one of Australia's leading universities and has an international reputation for excellence in teaching, learning and research.It has almost 24,000 students enrolled across four...

• Lead one of Australia’s largest university residential communities, shaping the experience of more than 750 students.
• Full-time appointment on an ongoing basis.
• Competitive senior management salary package plus 17% superannuation

About the area

University Hall (UniHall) is UWA’s residential college and home to more than 750 students from Western Australia, across Australia and around the world. Located alongside the UWA campus, the Swan River and Kings Park, UniHall is renowned for its diverse, inclusive and vibrant living-learning community.

As Head of College, you will play a pivotal role in fostering a safe, supportive and high-performing residential environment where students can thrive academically, socially and personally.

About the opportunity

• Provide strategic leadership for all aspects of University Hall, including residential education, student wellbeing, community development, operations, facilities and financial performance.
• Lead and develop a multidisciplinary team to deliver an outstanding student experience through academic support, leadership development programmes, wellbeing initiatives, extracurricular activities and pastoral care.
• Build strong partnerships with students, staff, alumni, community stakeholders and the broader University to position University Hall as a leading collegiate residential community in Australia.

About you

• Relevant tertiary qualification, with postgraduate qualifications highly regarded.
• Demonstrated senior leadership experience with a proven ability to drive strategic initiatives, organisational change and continuous improvement.
• Strong financial and operational management capability, including budget oversight, business planning and performance management.
• Proven people leadership skills with experience building high-performing teams, developing talent and fostering a culture of accountability, inclusion and service excellence.
• Exceptional stakeholder engagement, communication and relationship-building skills, with an understanding of student wellbeing, pastoral care and duty of care responsibilities within a residential or comparable community environment.

Note

As part of the recruitment process, candidates will be required to complete declarations in accordance with the National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based Violence. A current National Police Clearance, WA Working with Children Check will be required by the successful applicant.

Closing date: 11:55 PM AWST on Friday, 28 August 2026

This position is only open to applicants with relevant rights to work in Australia.

About the University

The University of Western Australia (UWA) is ranked among the top 100 universities in the world and a member of the prestigious Australian Group of Eight research intensive universities. With a strong research track record, vibrant campus and working environments, supported by the freedom to innovate and inspire, there is no better time to join Western Australia’s top university.

Our commitment to inclusion and diversity

UWA is committed to a diverse workforce and an equitable and inclusive workplace. We are committed to fostering a safe environment for all, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, women, those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, the LGBTIQA+ community, and people living with disability.

If you require any reasonable adjustments, you can advise us at the time of application. Alternatively, you can contact us for assistance during the recruitment process.