RMIT Council Member

RMIT University; City of Melbourne; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 180,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Remuneration under RMIT Act

Job summary

RMIT University Council seeks expressions of interest from experienced directors to join the governance body at Melbourne City campus, with occasional travel to other campuses. You will contribute to strategic direction, risk oversight, and major investments.

As a Council member, you will appoint and review the Vice-Chancellor, approve annual budgets and business plans, and oversee financial and academic performance, collaborating with leaders across business, government and academia.

Qualifications

• Experience as a Director or senior executive in a medium-to-large organisation.
• Strong governance and strategic oversight capability.
• Sound financial acumen and experience with investments.
• Demonstrated integrity and independence, committed to the public interest.
• Experience in community and business engagement is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the University's strategic direction and sustainability.
• Oversee performance of the Vice-Chancellor and approve budgets and major plans.
• Ensure financial controls, risk management, and accountability.
• Engage with future-focused challenges such as digital innovation and research translation.
• Work collaboratively with a diverse Council from business, government and academia.

Skills

Director or senior executiveExperience

Strategic governance expertise

Commercial acumen

Intellectual curiosity and judgment

Financial management and investment

Community and business engagement

Integrity and public service

Education

AICD qualification (or equivalent)

Job description

Overview

EXPRESSION OF INTEREST – RMIT Council Member Seeking expressions of interest to join the RMIT University Council Opportunity for experienced Directors to shape RMIT’s strategic future Based At the Melbourne City campus, with occasional meetings at other campuses as required.

About RMIT University

RMIT is a multi-sector university of technology, design, and enterprise. Our mission is to help shape the world through research, innovation, and engagement, creating transformative experiences for students that prepare them for life and work. With campuses in Melbourne and Vietnam and a centre in Barcelona, RMIT is a truly international university.

About the Role

RMIT Council is the governing body of the University, providing strategic leadership and oversight of its operations, financial stewardship, and academic mission. Council members play a critical role in shaping RMIT’s long-term strategy, guiding innovation, risk management, and major investments, and ensuring the University’s continued success as a globally engaged institution. This is an outstanding opportunity for an experienced Director or senior executive to contribute strategic governance, financial and investment expertise, and community and business engagement experience within a leading university of technology, design and enterprise.

As a Council Member, you will:

• Contribute to the strategic direction, sustainability, and future positioning of the University.
• Appoint and oversee the performance of the Vice-Chancellor.
• Approve the University’s mission and strategic direction, annual budget, business plan, and significant commercial activities.
• Oversee financial and risk management, control, and accountability systems.
• Engage with complex and future-facing challenges, including digital innovation, education transformation, research commercialisation, and global partnerships.
• Work collegially with an outstanding Council comprising leaders from business, government, and academia.
• Oversee and monitor the University’s academic activities.

Meetings are held primarily at RMIT’s Melbourne City campus, with six meetings per year (including two full strategy days).

About You

We are seeking interest from candidates who live and work in Victoria.

To be successful, you will bring:

• Director or senior executive experience in a complex, medium-to-large organisation.
• Completion of, or current participation in, an AICD qualification (or equivalent).
• Strong strategic governance expertise, strategic oversight capability, and commercial acumen.
• Intellectual curiosity, sound judgment, and an ability to critically assess complex information.
• Financial management and investment experience, including evaluating and advising on strategic investments and investment strategy.
• Demonstrated integrity, independence, and commitment to acting in the best interests of RMIT and the broader community.
• Community and business engagement experience.
• Education sector experience will be highly regarded.

RMIT is committed to ensuring that Council reflects the rich diversity of the Victorian and broader community, and we welcome applications from candidates of diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.

Remuneration

Council members are eligible for remuneration, consistent with the RMIT Act and Victorian Government guidelines.

Appointment Requirements

All applicants will be required to undertake pre-appointment checks, including:

• National Police Records Check
• Declaration of Private Interests
• Insolvency and disqualification checks

Upon appointment, members must comply with the RMIT Code of Conduct, policies, confidentiality obligations, and attend induction and Council meetings as required.

Applications Close

Applications Close: 1 Oct 2026 11.59 pm

RMIT is an equal opportunity employer committed to being a child safe organisation. We are dedicated to attracting, retaining and developing our people regardless of gender identity, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability and age. Applications are encouraged from all sectors of the community, and we strongly encourage applications from the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander community. In line with RMIT University’s commitment to a safe, respectful and inclusive environment, from 1 January 2026, the University will also consider gender-based violence (GBV) risk factors as part of our recruitment processes. All applicants will be required to complete a gender‑based violence declaration in accordance with the National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based Violence. Preferred candidates will also be required to undertake relevant pre‑employment background checks, including Working With Children Checks. Information provided will be treated confidentially and considered only for its relevance to the role and RMIT’s safety obligations. At RMIT, we are committed to supporting adjustments throughout the recruitment and selection process, as well as during employment. We actively support and encourage people with disability to apply to RMIT (including alternate formats of application forms). To discuss adjustment requirements, please contact Dani, via [e-mail] or visit our Careers page for more contact information - https://www.rmit.edu.au/careers. We are a Circle Back Initiative Employer – we commit to respond to every applicant.

Culture

Our Values inspire us, wherever we are in the world, and guide how we live and work together. Imagination. Integrity. Courage. Passion. Impact. Inclusion. What unites us is our purpose and our values; they are at the heart of who we are, what we stand for, how we make decisions and connect with each other. Our people make everything at the University possible. We encourage new approaches to work and learning, stimulating change to drive positive impact. RMIT exists to create transformative experiences for our students, getting them ready for life and work. You will be a part of a productive and collaborative team, who values working relationships and outcomes through open and inclusive planning, continuous information sharing and transparent work practices. Find out what makes RMIT a great place to work