Manager, Leadership Support - Faculty of Science

UNSW; Sydney; On-site; AUD 132,000 - 149,000; Full time

Job summary

UNSW is seeking a Manager, Leadership Support to partner with Science leaders to strengthen governance, leadership arrangements and operating models across the Faculty and Schools. The role focuses on organisational development and strategic implementation.

You will work with Heads of School and Faculty executives to plan leadership transitions, review structures, and support staff resilience. The position is full-time, based on campus in Sydney, with a competitive salary and 17% superannuation.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in organisational development and leadership advisory roles.
• Excellent consultation and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Experience working with senior executives and leadership teams in large organisations.

Responsibilities

• Act as trusted advisor to Heads of School and Faculty leaders on governance and leadership arrangements.
• Coordinate leadership planning activities and support transitions across Faculty teams and Schools.
• Prepare briefing materials to inform leadership decisions on organisational and governance matters.
• Plan and deliver organisational development activities aligned with Faculty priorities.
• Review structures, workflows and operating arrangements to improve accountability and efficiency.
• Support implementation planning, stakeholder engagement and progress tracking for improvement initiatives.

Skills

Organisational development

Leadership advisory

Stakeholder engagement

Analytical planning

Communication skills

Education

Relevant tertiary qualification

Job description

• One of Australia’s leading research & teaching universities
• Vibrant campus life with a strong sense of community & inclusion
• Enjoy a career that makes a difference by collaborating & learning from the best

This Job is based in Australia

• One of Australia’s leading research & teaching universities
• Vibrant campus life with a strong sense of community & inclusion
• Enjoy a career that makes a difference by collaborating & learning from the best

At UNSW, we pride ourselves on being a workplace where the best people come to do their best work.

The Manager, Leadership Support is a Faculty role responsible for partnering with UNSW Science leaders to strengthen the leadership, governance and operating arrangements that enable clear decision-making, role clarity and sustainable delivery across the Faculty and Schools.

Working collaboratively with Heads of School, School Managers, Faculty Executive and relevant UNSW professional services teams, the role provides dedicated support to priority areas requiring organisational development, governance review, and implementation of agreed improvement initiatives.

The role acts as a leadership and organisational development support resource that can be deployed to key priorities across the Faculty. While it may be embedded within a designated Faculty priority area or School, the role maintains a Faculty-wide perspective and works in partnership with leaders to strengthen teams, staff structures, governance arrangements and operating models. The position is focused on strengthening current arrangements rather than replacing existing accountabilities.

About The Role

• $132k - $149k plus 17% Superannuation and annual leave loading
• Fixed Term – 2 years
• Full-time (35 hours per week)

Specific Responsibilities For This Role Include

• Act as a trusted advisor to Heads of School, School Managers and Faculty leaders, providing advice and support on organisational priorities, leadership arrangements, workforce, governance and implementation matters.
• Support leaders to navigate complex organisational, workforce and governance matters, coordinate leadership planning activities, and support leadership transitions across Faculty teams and Schools.
• Prepare advice, briefings and discussion materials to inform leadership consideration and decision making on organisational, governance, workforce and operational matters.
• Plan and deliver organisational development activities that support Faculty and School priorities, including role clarity, ways of working, engagement and team effectiveness.
• Review organisational structures, workflows and operating arrangements, and facilitate organisational reviews to improve alignment, accountability and organisational effectiveness.
• Support organisational improvement initiatives through implementation planning, stakeholder engagement, communication, transition support, readiness activities and progress tracking.
• Work with leaders to identify engagement, readiness and implementation issues, coordinate stakeholder engagement activities, and facilitate adoption of agreed improvements.
• Identify and elevate organisational, engagement, transition and implementation risks, providing timely advice and support to Faculty and School leaders.
• Work with leaders to strengthen and sustain staff structures through improvements to role clarity, team effectiveness, succession coverage, workforce sustainability and organisational resilience.
• Review governance arrangements, committee structures, accountability practices, decision making processes and escalation pathways, and support agreed improvements.
• Clarify roles, responsibilities and decision pathways, and prepare governance documentation that enables effective governance and organisational decision making.
• Assess administrative and operational arrangements, identify opportunities to improve service delivery and efficiency, and contribute to sustainable operating models.
• Lead agreed organisational, governance and operating model initiatives on behalf of the Faculty Executive or Deputy Faculty Executive Director, and support emerging priorities.
• Align with and actively demonstrate the Code of Conduct and Values
• Ensure hazards and risks psychosocial and physical are identified and controlled for tasks, projects, and activities that pose a health and safety risk within your area of responsibility.

About The Successful Applicant

(Selection criteria)

To Be Successful In This Role You Will Have

• Relevant tertiary qualification with subsequent relevant experience or equivalent competence gained through any combination of education, training and experience.
• Significant experience in organisational development, implementation planning, executive support or leadership advisory roles.
• Demonstrated experience working with senior executives and leadership teams and leading complex organisational initiatives within large organisations.
• Experience in governance, organisational planning, operating model development and organisational improvement.
• Excellent consultation, stakeholder engagement and influencing skills, with proven ability to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Strong analytical, planning and problem-solving capability, including the ability to assess complex organisational issues and identify practical solutions.
• Demonstrated ability to balance strategic thinking with practical implementation, establish priorities and manage competing demands.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a high level of attention to detail.
• Experience supporting leadership transitions, organisational realignment or implementation of new ways of working.
• Experience within higher education, research-intensive organisations, the public sector or similarly complex environments.
• An understanding of and commitment to UNSW’s aims, objectives and values in action, together with relevant policies and guidelines.
• Knowledge of health & safety (psychosocial and physical) responsibilities and commitment to attending relevant health and safety training.

You should systematically address the selection criteria listed within the position description in your application.

For informal queries, please see the below contact details.

Otherwise, please apply online - applications will not be accepted if sent directly to the contact listed.

Contact

Marie Simmons

E: [e-mail]

Applications close: November 10th, 2026

Find Out More About Working At UNSW At Www.unsw.edu.au

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 options for eligible staff. The University reserves the right not to proceed with any appointment.