Senior Strategic Advisor

University of Sydney; Sydney; On-site; AUD 130,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

17% superannuation

Job summary

The University of Sydney is seeking a Senior Strategic Advisor to provide strategic counsel to the Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost. The role will influence university-wide priorities, governance processes and executive communications across a broad stakeholder network.

You will develop high-quality briefings, reports and strategic analyses aligned with Strategy 2032, supporting informed decision-making at the highest levels while managing multiple complex projects within scope and

Qualifications

• Significant experience in higher education or public sector policy and strategic landscape shaping universities.
• Proven ability to provide strategic advice, planning and analysis to support senior executive decision-making.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship management across diverse groups.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic advice, analysis and policy support to senior leaders to shape priorities.
• Develop high-quality briefings, reports and executive communications for governance forums and leadership meetings.
• Monitor higher education policy and external environment to identify opportunities and risks needing executive attention.
• Coordinate strategic projects across faculties and external stakeholders, ensuring alignment with priorities.
• Build relationships with senior leaders and drive outcomes across complex environments.
• Lead strategic projects from planning to delivery, tracking progress and coordinating stakeholders.
• Support governance processes and executive decision-making, deputising for the Executive Director when required.

Skills

Strategic advice

Briefings & reports

Stakeholder engagement

Project leadership

Executive communications

Strategic thinking

Time management

Job description

• Provide high-level strategic advice, analysis and coordination to support the Office of the Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost
  
• Support University-wide strategic initiatives, partnership management and high quality briefings
  
• Full-time, continuing position with a competitive remuneration package, including 17% superannuation

About the opportunity

The Senior Strategic Advisor is a highly visible and influential role within the Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost portfolio, providing strategic counsel and trusted advice to senior University leaders. Reporting to the Executive Director, you will leverage your understanding of the University's Strategy 2032 and academic operations to drive key priorities, shape strategic initiatives and support informed decision-making at the highest levels. Working across a diverse range of stakeholders, you will lead the development of high-quality briefings, analysis and reporting, issues identification, strategic analysis and executive communications, while fostering strong partnerships across the University and external networks. This role offers a unique opportunity to contribute to institution-wide initiatives, support governance and leadership processes, and play a pivotal role in advancing the University's strategic agenda and long‑term impact.

The objectives for the Senior Strategic Advisor are to:

• Provide strategic advice, analysis and policy support to senior University leaders, helping shape priorities and informed decision-making
  
• Develop high-quality briefings, reports, presentations and executive communications for governance forums, leadership meetings and key events
  
• Monitor the higher education, policy and external environment to identify emerging opportunities, risks and issues requiring executive attention
  
• Coordinate and deliver strategic projects and initiatives across faculties, portfolios and external stakeholders, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities
  
• Build and maintain effective relationships with senior leaders and key stakeholders, fostering collaboration and driving outcomes across complex environments
  
• Manage strategic projects from planning through to delivery, tracking progress, coordinating stakeholders and ensuring objectives are achieved on time and within scope with support from the SDVCP program team
  
• Support governance processes, executive decision-making and portfolio operations, including deputising for the Executive Director when required.

About you

• Significant experience in the higher education sector or public sector, preferable with a strong understanding of the policy, funding and strategic landscape shaping universities
  
• Demonstrated success providing strategic advice, planning and analysis within large, complex organisations, supporting senior executive decision-making
  
• Exceptional stakeholder engagement and relationship management skills, with the ability to influence, negotiate and build trusted partnerships across diverse groups
  
• Strong project leadership capabilities, including managing complex initiatives, multiple workstreams and competing priorities to deliver outcomes
  
• Excellent communication skills, with a proven ability to prepare high-quality briefings, reports and recommendations for senior leaders and governance forums
  
• A strategic, commercially minded and adaptable approach, combining sound judgement, business acumen and the ability to translate ambiguity into clear, actionable outcomes
  
• Demonstrated ability to manage time effectively and prioritise multiple competing demands, maintaining a high level of attention to detail. Able to respond promptly to emerging issues while balancing responsiveness with collaboration, contributing positively as a proactive and supportive team member.

Work rights

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

Pre-employment checks

Your employment is conditional upon the completion of all role required pre-employment or background checks in terms satisfactory to the University. Similarly, your ongoing employment is conditional upon the satisfactory maintenance of all relevant clearances and background check requirements. If you do not meet these conditions, the University may take any necessary step, including the termination of your employment.

EEO statement

At the University of Sydney, our shared values include diversity and inclusion and we strive to be a place where everyone can thrive. We are committed to creating a University community that reflects the wider community that we serve. We deliver on this commitment through our people and culture programs, as well as key strategies to increase participation and support the careers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, women, people living with a disability, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and those who identify as LGBTIQ. We welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds. We are proud to be recognised as an Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI) Gold employer.