Manager, Academic Policy and Governance

La Trobe University; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

La Trobe University is seeking a Manager, Academic Policy and Governance to lead the university’s policy framework and governance practices. The role provides authoritative advice and drives complex policy reform across academic areas.

The position requires extensive experience in end-to-end policy lifecycle management, strong regulatory knowledge, and the ability to translate requirements into practical guidance for senior leaders and governance bodies.

Qualifications

• Experience leading end-to-end policy development, consultation, governance, implementation and review.
• Ability to translate regulatory requirements into practical policy and advice.
• Excellent written and verbal communication for briefs, reports and guidance materials.
• Strong understanding of higher education policy frameworks and governing standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the academic policy portfolio, roadmap, and review schedule.
• Oversee policy development, reviews, and interdependencies, ensuring accessibility and compliance.
• Assess implications of policy changes across quality, compliance, operations, resourcing and risk.
• Lead scheduled and post-implementation policy reviews with corrective actions.
• Provide strategic advice on academic policy and governance to senior leaders and governance bodies.

Skills

Policy lifecycle management

Stakeholder engagement

Regulatory knowledge

Policy analysis

Education

Relevant degree with management experience

Postgraduate qualifications preferred

Job description

• Shape the strategic direction & continuous improvement of the academic policy function
• Provide strategic academic policy advice & reporting to senior leaders and governance bodies
• Full Time / Continuing / Melbourne (Bundoora) Campus / HEO9

About the position

The Manager, Academic Policy and Governance leads the development, management and continuous improvement of La Trobe University’s academic policy framework, ensuring policies remain current, effective and aligned with strategic, governance and regulatory requirements. Working across the University, the role provides authoritative advice, leads complex policy reform and supports the effective implementation and understanding of academic policy.

Duties at this level:

• Lead and manage the University’s academic policy portfolio, including the policy roadmap, review schedule, prioritisation of new and revised policies, and oversight of policy status, interdependencies and risks.
• Lead the end-to-end development and review of academic policies, procedures, standards and related instruments, ensuring they are evidence-based, accessible and aligned with legislation, the Higher Education Standards Framework and University strategy.
• Assess the broader implications of proposed policy changes across academic quality, regulatory compliance, operations, systems and data, resourcing, equity, risk, communications and change.
• Lead scheduled and post-implementation policy reviews, identifying and recommending corrective actions, amendments and improvements where required.
• Provide authoritative strategic advice on academic policy, regulatory and governance matters to senior leaders, Schools, Divisions and University governance bodies, translating complex requirements into clear, practical recommendations.

Skills and knowledge:

• A relevant degree with extensive experience and management expertise, postgraduate qualifications with relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of knowledge, training and experience.
• Demonstrated expertise in managing the end-to-end policy lifecycle, including development, consultation, governance, implementation, evaluation and review.
• Strong knowledge of the Australian higher education regulatory and quality environment, including the Higher Education Standards Framework, with the ability to translate regulatory requirements into practical policy and advice.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly communicate complex policy, regulatory and governance matters and produce high-quality policies, briefs, reports and guidance materials.

Please refer to the position description for other duties, skills and experience required for this position.

Position Enquiries: Tim Smith, Associate Director, Academic Strategy and Operations, DVC Academic, Email: *********@latrobe.edu.au

Recruitment Enquiries: Vicki Stavrou, Senior Talent Partner, Strategy and Senior Appointments Email: *********@latrobe.edu.au

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Applicants

We welcome and strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Our commitment to diversity and inclusion

La Trobe University is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workforce. We take an intersectional approach by actively supporting and encouraging people of all backgrounds and abilities tosubmitan applicationand aim to ensure that the recruitment and employee experience is as accessible and inclusive as possible. Flexibility in interview format will be offered to shortlisted candidates.

Our commitment to safety

All La Trobe University employees are bound by the Working with Children Act 2005.If you are successful, you willbe requiredto hold a valid Victorian Employee Working with Children Check prior to commencement.

National CodeonGender Based Violencein Higher Education

La Trobe University is committed to upholding the National Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-Based Violence (GBV Code). This aligns with our mission to create safe and respectful communities.Candidates will be asked during the recruitment process to declare whether they have ever been investigated for, or found to have engaged in, gender-based violence inpreviousemployment and/or in legal proceedings and provide relevant information toassistindeterminingsuitability. Gender-based violence means any form of physical or non-physical violence, harassment,abuseor threats based on gender, that results in, or is likely to result in harm, coercion, control, fear or deprivation liberty or autonomy.

*Please note, only candidates who possess the full rights to work in Australia will be eligible for consideration*