Professional Experience Support Officer

Newcastle; Newcastle City Council; Hybrid; AUD 85,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

17% superannuation

Salary packaging

Additional university holidays

Personal, life and parental leave

Annual leave loading

Purchased leave

Job summary

The University of Newcastle is seeking a Professional Experience Support Officer to coordinate student placement activities across disciplines at Callaghan Campus. This 0.4 FTE fixed-term role supports academic leads, placement providers and students, ensuring timely planning, documentation and compliance.

You will manage high volumes of placement data, deliver quality admin support, and build strong stakeholder relationships to enable successful placement outcomes through efficient university

Qualifications

• Experience coordinating student placements or similar in a university setting.
• Strong attention to detail and excellent organisational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and administer a high volume of student placements across curricula.
• Set up placements in university systems and manage documentation.
• Liaise with placement providers, academic staff and students to secure and manage placements.
• Maintain accurate compliance and placement data in line with policy.
• Provide high-quality administrative support and stakeholder guidance throughout placement lifecycle.

Job description

Be challenged and imagine with us

As the Professional Experience Support Officer, you will play an integral role in coordinating student Career-ready Placement activities that align with academic program requirements. Working closely with academic leads, placement organisations, and students, you'll ensure smooth planning, scheduling, and administration of placements across a variety of disciplines.

In this role you will:

• Have demonstrated ability to work effectively in a very fast-paced, high-volume environment, managing multiple competing priorities and deadlines while maintaining exceptional attention to detail, accuracy and organisational skills.
• Coordinate and administer a high volume of student placements, including setting up placements in University systems, processing documentation, and ensuring placements are completed accurately and on time.
• Liaise with placement providers, academic staff and students to secure, confirm and manage placements, building strong stakeholder relationships to support successful outcomes.
• Manage and maintain large volumes of student compliance and placement data, ensuring records are accurate, up to date and meet organisational and placement provider requirements.
• Deliver high-quality customer service and administrative support, proactively resolving issues and providing timely advice throughout the placement lifecycle.

This is a 0.4 (2 days/week) fixed-term position until August 2027, at HEW 5 and will be located at the Callaghan Campus (Awabakal land).

How will you inspire us?

You will:

• Coordinate and manage multiple placement-related activities, ensuring deadlines are met and competing priorities are effectively balanced.
• Provide high-quality administrative support for student professional experience and placement programs, maintaining accuracy and attention to detail.
• Build and maintain positive relationships with students, academic staff, and external placement partners to support successful placement outcomes.
• Work collaboratively within a team environment, contributing to clear communication, shared goals, and a culture of mutual respect.
• Adapt to changing priorities and requirements, responding proactively to the needs of stakeholders and placement programs.
• Utilise a range of corporate systems and digital platforms, including Microsoft Office and student placement management systems, to support efficient program delivery.
• Maintain accurate records and documentation in accordance with university policies, procedures, and reporting requirements.

About our University

The University of Newcastle stands as a global leader distinguished by a commitment to equity and excellence. Our vision is to be a world-leading University for our regions and create a better future for our regions and the globe. Underpinned by this vision are our values of excellence, equity, engagement and sustainability.

What we offer

The renumeration for this position is Higher Education Worker Level 5 +17% superannuation and is commensurate with skills and experience.

In addition to working for a university that is breaking boundaries, discovering new ways of thinking and cementing a place as a global leader, we offer a range of benefits to our employees to ensure you balance your commitments, stay healthy and work effectively.

These include:

• 17% super and salary packaging.
• Additional University Holiday days, generous personal, life, and parental leave, annual leave loading, and additional purchased leave scheme.
• Discounts on private health insurance, gym memberships, software, travel and more.
• A range of support and wellbeing programs.

For more information on benefits and conditions, please follow this

Our assessment process

Typically candidates that progress beyond the shortlist stage can expect to undertake the following (minimum) assessment activities as part of the recruitment process:

• Interview (an ‘in person’ interview will be conducted as part of the process)
• Referee checks
• Pre-employment checks as appropriate to the role

Our University is committed to creating a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for every member of our community. This commitment is central to our values and our efforts to build a diverse workforce where everyone can thrive.

As part of this, and in alignment with the National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-Based Violence 2025, from 1 January 2026, the University will also consider gender-based violence risk factors as part of our recruitment processes.

The completion and return of the University's Gender-based Violence Declaration Form will form part of the pre-employment checks for this position and any offer of employment will be conditional upon review by the University.

Our adherence to the Code is about more than compliance – it's about living our values. Together, we can ensure our University remains a place where respect, safety, and inclusion are non-negotiable.

Contact Us

For specific position enquiries, please contact Claire Thorley, Professional Experience Team Leader on email [e-mail]

Closing date:Thursday, 1 October 2026 at 11.59pm AEST

We provide opportunities for all people regardless of their background and experience, and this philosophy is reflected across all that we do.

The University of Newcastle is an equal opportunity employer committed to equity, diversity, and social inclusion. Women and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are particularly encouraged to apply.