Strategic Executive Officer

Talent; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Talent is seeking an experienced Strategic Executive Officer to provide high-level strategic, governance and operational support within a leading higher education institution. This role will support senior leadership across strategic initiatives, executive reporting, stakeholder engagement and portfolio coordination.

Talent will expect you to prepare briefing papers, reports and presentations for senior leadership, coordinate governance activities, and lead cross-functional projects with timely

Qualifications

• Experience in the higher education sector with governance understanding.
• Proven ability to provide executive-level strategic and operational support.
• Strong writing skills for executive briefings, papers and reports.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational support to senior executives across a complex university portfolio.
• Prepare briefing papers, reports, submissions and presentations for leadership and committees.
• Coordinate governance activities, legislative reporting and strategic planning initiatives.
• Lead cross-functional projects and ensure delivery against milestones.
• Research higher education policies, sector trends and regulatory requirements.
• Build relationships with academic, professional and executive stakeholders.
• Monitor portfolio priorities, risks and emerging issues to support decision-making.
• Support internal communications and continuous improvement initiatives.

Skills

Strategic planning

Governance

Executive support

Stakeholder management

Portfolio coordination

Executive reporting

Project coordination

Policy research

Education

Experience in higher education governance

Job description

Our client is seeking an experienced Strategic Executive Officer to provide high-level strategic, governance and operational support within a leading higher education institution. This role will support senior leadership across strategic initiatives, executive reporting, stakeholder engagement and portfolio coordination.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational support to senior executives across a complex university portfolio.


• Prepare high-quality briefing papers, reports, submissions and presentations for senior leadership and committees.


• Coordinate governance activities, legislative reporting and strategic planning initiatives.


• Lead and support cross-functional projects, ensuring delivery against key milestones.


• Research and analyse higher education policies, sector trends and regulatory requirements.


• Build strong relationships with academic, professional and executive stakeholders.


• Monitor portfolio priorities, risks and emerging issues to support effective decision‑making.


• Support internal communications and continuous improvement initiatives.

Key Requirements

• Strong experience within the higher education sector, with an understanding of university governance, operations and strategic priorities.


• Demonstrated experience providing executive‑level strategic and operational support.


• Excellent writing skills, particularly preparing executive briefings, strategic papers and reports.


• Strong project coordination, governance and stakeholder management experience.


• Ability to engage and influence senior executives and diverse university stakeholders.


• Strong analytical, organisational and problem‑solving skills.


• Experience leading teams or complex initiatives and driving organisational change.