Vice-President, Operations (COO)

UNSW; Sydney; Hybrid; CAD 150,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

UNSW seeks a visionary Vice President Operations (COO) to lead operational functions and ensure excellence in university operations. The role demands significant experience in higher education and the ability to drive transformation toward strategic goals, contributing to UNSW's progress and sustainability.

Qualifications

• 10-15 years of senior executive experience leading operational functions in large organizations.
• Proven track record in strategic leadership and organizational transformations.
• Demonstrated capability in driving operational efficiency.

Responsibilities

• Oversee integrated operational functions and operational oversight of People and Culture.
• Drive major organizational transformations and operational excellence.

Skills

Leadership skills

Economics

Risk Management

Compliance

Operational Risk

Job description

• Remuneration : Attractive competitive salary package
• Location : Kensington Campus NSW (Hybrid Flexible Working)

About UNSW

UNSW is one of the worlds leading research and teachingintensive universities known for innovative pioneering research and highquality education outputs influencing significant global societal impacts.

UNSW isnt like other places you may have worked; yes were a large organisation with a diverse and talented community; a community doing extraordinary things. Working together our UNSW community is collectively driven to be thoughtful practical and purposeful in all we do. Taking this combined approach is what makes our work matter. Its the reason were one of the top 50 universities in the world and a member of Australias prestigious Group of Eight.

At UNSW societal impact is at our core with this in mind we have recently launched our UNSW Strategy : Progress for All which reaffirms our ongoing commitment to advancing expansive and inclusive global positive impact. Building on 75 years of impact UNSW strives to address pressing global challenges and ensure communities worldwide can thrive socially economically culturally and environmentally.

About this opportunity

The University of New South Wales (UNSW) seeks a visionary and highly strategic Vice President Operations (COO) who will provide solid leadership and collaboration across the integrated operational functions of UNSW at the highest executive and organisational levels.

With responsibility for Finance Information Technology Estate Management Enterprise Portfolio Management Office (EPMO) and operational oversight of People and Culture the Vice President Operations (COO) is a key architect of operational excellence service transformation with additional accountability to ensure we meet our operational and academic goals that will set UNSW up for success and longterm sustainability.

This is a unique opportunity to lead and champion operational excellence operational service transformation and longterm sustainability whilst simultaneously driving the Universitys commitment to its overarching strategic goals. The role is pivotal in delivering a responsive modern and peoplecentred operating model that supports UNSWs ambition of Progress for All.

The Vice President Operations (COO) will report directly to the Vice Chancellor and will work closely with the UNSW executive leadership team.

Who we are ideally looking for :

The Vice President Operations (COO) will be a highly experienced leader with a strong track record in collaborative leadership. We are looking for a unique individual who can work with our executive team and executive stakeholders collaboratively to shape influence enable and transform our operations in line with our future vision and strategy.

Ideally you will have demonstrable experience overseeing large complex operational portfolios in higher education or similar related regulated sectors. You will ideally possess an indepth understanding of operational needs aligned to a leading global research university and have a strategic and resultsfocused orientation.

The successful candidate will demonstrate strong interpersonal influencing and negotiation skills to engage diverse stakeholders effectively. You will ideally be a proven executive leader with a commitment to innovation equity sustainability and excellence in service delivery and optimisation.

Ideal Experience

• 510 years of senior executive experience leading operational functions in higher education or similar large complex organisational structures.
• Proven strategic leadership commercial acumen and experience across Finance IT Digital and Data transformation Estate Management Portfolio / Infrastructure and People and Culture operations.
• Demonstrated track record in driving major organisational transformations and operational efficiency.
• Evidence of building highperforming collaborative and serviceoriented teams.
• Outstanding communication skills both verbal and written.

Please note : Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position. Candidates must hold unrestricted work rights to be considered for this position

To apply or express confidential interest in this role :

Please note that UNSW have engaged an external executive search agency Spencer Stuart as our trusted recruitment partner with this particular appointment UNSW is therefore not able to formally accept any direct applications.

If you have specific interest in this role and are keen to have a confidential discussion about this role or would like further information we would strongly encourage you to contact Spencer Stuart directly.

Whilst UNSW have engaged with an executive search agency and there is no formal closing date at present we would strongly encourage you to reach out to our recruitment partners at Spencer Stuart directly no later than close of business on Friday 16

May 2025.

Contact : Spencer Stuart can be contacted on the following email :

UNSW is committed to evolving a culture that embraces equity and supports a diverse and inclusive community where everyone can participate fairly in a safe and respectful environment. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds and encourage applications from people of diverse gender sexual orientation cultural and linguistic backgrounds Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander background people with disability and those with caring and family responsibilities. UNSW provides workplace adjustments for people with disability and access to flexible work options for eligible staff.

Required Experience :

Chief

Key Skills

Economics,Internal Audit,SQL,Risk Management,Compliance,Leadership skills,Oversight,Business partner,AVP,Requlatory agencies,Finance,Accounting,Potifolio,Project Management,Operational Risk