Senior Executive Officer

University of Technology Sydney; Sydney; On-site; AUD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work practices

Generous parental leave

Salary packaging opportunities

Job summary

University of Technology Sydney is seeking an accomplished Executive Officer to support the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research). You will help shape major strategic priorities, coordinate across faculties and external partners, and manage high-risk, sensitive projects with executive-level briefings.

This senior advisory role covers research strategy, translation, governance and security-related work, with autonomy and discretion.

Qualifications

• Substantial experience supporting a senior executive in a complex university.
• Knowledge of university research strategy, funding, governance, policy and regulation.
• Experience coordinating cross-portfolio initiatives and delivering on executive priorities.
• Ability to prepare executive-level reports and decision-support materials.
• Experience with governance, audit, regulatory reporting or institutional assurance.
• An equivalent combination of knowledge or training to a degree, or extensive experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic advice and executive-level briefings on complex research, policy, national security and defence-related matters.
• Coordinate high-risk, high-impact and security-sensitive matters, ensuring appropriate handling, timely escalation, follow-up and institutional alignment.
• Support the development, implementation and review of the research strategy, portfolio priorities and responses to emerging government and sector developments.
• Lead governance, assurance, audit, regulatory, enterprise risk and research security activities for the portfolio.
• Lead cross-portfolio initiatives across research investment, translation, infrastructure, integrity and security, managing interdependencies, stakeholders and outcomes.
• Build trusted relationships with senior internal stakeholders, government agencies, defence and national security partners, industry and the research sector to support coordinated delivery.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Executive communication

Stakeholder influence

Judgement under uncertainty

Governance & risk

Data analytics & AI tools

Education

Degree or equivalent

Job description

At UTS, we're a young, globally recognised university known for doing things differently. Based in the centre of Sydney, we work closely with industry, government, and the community to focus on outcomes that matter. Our strength lies in how we bring creativity, technology and innovation together to make a practical difference. We're Australia's leading young university and consistently sit within the top 100 universities globally, a reflection of the scale of our ambition and the contribution of our people. When you join UTS, you become part of a community that values inclusion, supports access to education, and works towards positive change in society.

About the Team

The Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) leads UTS's research strategy and major priorities across research investment, translation, integrity, national security, infrastructure and researcher development. Working across the university and with government, industry and the research sector, the team turns complex issues into coordinated action and positions UTS to respond to emerging opportunities and policy developments.

About the Role

This is a varied and influential senior advisory role at the centre of UTS's research agenda. Working directly with the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), you will help shape major strategic priorities, turn complex and fast-moving issues into clear choices, and coordinate action across the university and with government, industry and research partners.

The portfolio is broad and evolving, spanning research strategy and investment, translation and commercialisation, infrastructure, integrity, national security and defence-related research. You will work across diverse projects, policy developments and emerging opportunities, including matters involving sensitive information and engagement with government agencies.

Operating with a high degree of autonomy and professional judgement, you will provide trusted advice and executive coordination, lead designated university-wide initiatives and ensure priorities move from decision to delivery. Because the role supports national security and defence-related work, appointment and ongoing employment will require the ability to obtain and maintain the national security clearance specified by UTS.

About You

You are a highly experienced Executive Officer or senior executive adviser with a strong track record supporting a senior leader in a complex university environment. You understand how university research operates, including its strategy, funding, governance, policy and regulatory settings, and can quickly connect issues across faculties, professional portfolios and external partners. Trusted, proactive and highly organised, you anticipate what is needed, bring structure to ambiguity and exercise sound judgement and discretion on sensitive matters. You communicate with impact, influence senior stakeholders and maintain momentum across multiple, competing priorities.

Role Responsibilities

• Provide strategic advice and executive-level briefings on complex research, policy, national security and defence-related matters.
• Coordinate high-risk, high-impact and security-sensitive matters, ensuring appropriate handling, timely escalation, follow-up and institutional alignment.
• Support the development, implementation and review of the research strategy, portfolio priorities and responses to emerging government and sector developments.
• Lead governance, assurance, audit, regulatory, enterprise risk and research security activities for the portfolio.
• Lead cross-portfolio initiatives across research investment, translation, infrastructure, integrity and security, managing interdependencies, stakeholders and outcomes.
• Build trusted relationships with senior internal stakeholders, government agencies, defence and national security partners, industry and the research sector to support coordinated delivery.

Skills, attributes and knowledge

• Strong strategic thinking, analytical and systems problem-solving capability.
• Executive-level written and verbal communication, negotiation and relationship management skills.
• Ability to influence senior stakeholders and work effectively across portfolios without direct authority.
• Sound judgement in complex and ambiguous environments, with discretion when managing sensitive matters.
• Knowledge of governance, enterprise risk, regulatory compliance and assurance practices in complex organisations.
• Strong digital capability, including data and business intelligence tools and AI-enabled productivity.

Experience

• Substantial experience as an Executive Officer or senior executive adviser supporting a senior executive in a complex university environment.
• Demonstrated knowledge of university research strategy, funding, governance, policy, regulation and the wider research sector.
• A record of coordinating complex cross-portfolio initiatives and translating executive priorities into timely, well-governed delivery.
• Preparing executive-level reports, briefings and decision-support materials.
• Supporting governance, audit, regulatory reporting or institutional assurance activities.
• An equivalent combination of relevant knowledge or training equivalent to a degree qualification, or extensive relevant experience or training.

What We Offer

Base Salary Range: SSS1 plus 17% superannuation (pension).

The position is full time and will be made on a continuing basis.

UTS staff also benefit from a wide range of Employee Benefits include flexible work practices, generous parental leave and salary packaging opportunities.

Closing Date: 11 October 2026 at 11.59 pm (AEST)

You must have unrestricted work rights in Australia for the duration of this employment to apply.Visa sponsorship is not available for this appointment.

This position is being advertised concurrently, internally and externally.

In accordance with UTS policy, priority consideration will be given to suitably qualified redeployment candidates, while applications are also welcomed from suitable candidates in the external market.

Accessibility

UTS Recruitment is committed to digital accessibility. If you experience any difficulty with the content of our advertising, please let us know so we can ensure our information is accessible to everyone.

In addition, if you have a disability that requires adjustment to the recruitment process or an alternative application pathway, please contact UTS Recruitment for assistance.

UTS is recognised widely as supporting inclusivity and diversity through our Wingara Indigenous Employment Strategy, Social Impact Framework and UTS Access and Inclusion Plan.

We welcome applications from women, Indigenous Australians, people with disability, those who identify as LGBTIQ+ and applicants from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.