School Executive Officer

LiveHire Limited; Newcastle City Council; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Newcastle invites applications for a School Executive Officer in the School of Health Sciences. This full-time continuing role leads a professional staff team, supports strategic planning, and advises senior management on operational and financial matters to enable teaching, research and engagement excellence.

Located at the Callaghan Campus, the role emphasizes collaboration, equity and continuous improvement within a dynamic academic community.

Qualifications

• Postgraduate qualifications (or progress towards) and extensive relevant experience are required.
• Ability to lead administrative or professional support teams and manage competing priorities.
• Strong leadership, collaboration and stakeholder-management capabilities are essential.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the professional staff team (up to 10).
• Provide high-level advice to Head of School and College General Manager on operational matters.
• Support strategic planning and implementation of School priorities.
• Represent the School in university-wide initiatives and build cross-institution relationships.
• Advise and facilitate solutions to support teaching, research and engagement priorities.
• Manage administrative operations including staffing, facilities, timetabling and student services.
• Oversee budget planning, forecasting and financial reporting; support informed decisions.
• Drive process improvements to enhance operational effectiveness and service delivery.
• Provide expert guidance on policy, compliance and governance within School operations.
• Support health, safety and wellbeing initiatives across the School.

Skills

Postgraduate qualifications

Team leadership

Communication skills

Project management

Job description

Be challenged and imagine with us

As the School Executive Officer, you will play a pivotal leadership role within the School of Health Sciences, one of Australia's leading providers of health care and health research professionals. Working closely with the Head of School and College General Manager, you will help shape the strategic direction of the School while ensuring the effective delivery of core operational, financial and administrative functions. This is an opportunity to influence decision-making, lead meaningful change and support a high-performing academic community.

Success in this role requires an ability to balance strategic leadership with a highly responsive service mindset. You will support academic staff to achieve their teaching, research and engagement objectives while leading a professional team to deliver outstanding operational outcomes and drive continuous improvement.

No two days are the same in this diverse leadership role. From leading a team of professional staff (up to 10) and overseeing complex operational activities to driving process improvements and supporting strategic initiatives, you will make a tangible contribution to the School's success. If you are a collaborative leader with strong organisational, financial and stakeholder management skills, this role offers the opportunity to make a real impact in an environment committed to excellence, equity and innovation

In this role you will:

• Lead and develop a team of professional staff, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability and continuous improvement.
• Provide high-level advice and support to the Head of School and College General Manager on operational, strategic and administrative matters.
• Support strategic planning processes and contribute to the development and implementation of School and College priorities.
• Represent and advocate for the School’s best interests in University-wide initiatives, building productive relationships across the institution to influence outcomes and support School priorities.
• Serve as a trusted advisor and key point of contact for academic staff, providing high-level guidance and facilitating solutions to support teaching, research and engagement priorities.
• Manage the School's administrative operations across a broad range of activities, including staffing, committee support, facilities, timetabling and student services.
• Oversee budget planning, forecasting and financial reporting, providing advice to support informed decision-making.
• Drive process improvement initiatives to enhance operational effectiveness and service delivery.
• Provide expert advice on policy, compliance and governance matters relevant to School operations.
• Support quality assurance, health, safety and wellbeing initiatives across the School.

This full-time continuing position, is at a HEW 8, and located at the Callaghan Campus (Awabakal and Worimi land).

How will you inspire us?

You will have:

• Postgraduate qualifications (or progress towards), extensive relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
• Experience leading and managing administrative or professional support teams.
• Proven leadership skills with the ability to motivate, inspire and develop teams to achieve strong outcomes.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build effective relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Strong planning, organisational and project management capabilities.
• Demonstrated experience in financial management, compliance and quality assurance.
• A commitment to fostering safe, healthy, inclusive and respectful workplaces, with experience supporting positive workplace practices and behaviours.

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.

About the Unit

The School of Health Sciences is one of Australia’s leading providers of education for doctors