Championing student success
Provide visionary leadership driving UNSW's outstanding student experience.
Pro Vice-Chancellor, Student Success
The Pro Vice-Chancellor (PVC), Student Success, is responsible for providing strategic vision, leadership, and oversight for all aspects of the university’s student support and wellbeing programs and initiatives, and leads UNSW’s Student Success portfolio.
The PVC will lead a sustainable suite of strategies, programs and initiatives across student engagement and success, student wellbeing, employability and campus life areas to ensure our students are successful in their academic pursuits.Â
The role will engage externally with student support service providers, appropriate government departments, business and industry, community and professional associations, and partner internally with student groups, faculties and divisions, to deliver scalable, best-practice initiatives that promote student wellbeing, safety, and support throughout their academic journey.
As a member of a network of senior leaders, the PVC supports the development of policy advice, strategies, reporting mechanisms and measurements, researching and writing a range of reports and communications. The position is responsible for initiating, managing, and implementing transformative student projects across the university and monitoring performance to ensure impactful and quality outcomes.
The role reports to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Education and Student Experience, and has a number of direct reports.
Message from the DVC Education & Student Experience
UNSW Sydney is proud to be a world-class university, home to incredible people who are driven to tackle some of society’s most challenging issues to make the world a better place.Â
We are seeking a new Pro Vice-Chancellor Student Success, an exceptional leader who will drive an outstanding student experience.
In this exciting role, you will lead the development and adoption of a holistic approach to student support, that encompasses academic success and physical and mental wellbeing, empowering our students to thrive in their chosen endeavours.
Central to our educational commitment is our dedication to students’ success and their wellbeing. In this role, you will champion the student experience by offering exceptional support services. You will lead a dedicated and passionate team who, in partnership with our students and Faculties, support students with their transition into and through their university journey, cultivating students’ personal and professional development to ensure they achieve their career and life aspirations. Â
With a focus on student health and wellbeing, and investment in an enhanced campus life and communities through sport, culture and accommodation, you will engage with external partners, including student support entities, governmental bodies, business affiliates, and community organisations to deliver scalable, best-practice programs that will see our diverse students thrive.
You will be a member of a network of senior leaders who carry a shared responsibility for shaping and driving student success. You will play a pivotal in the design, development, and implementation of a distinct UNSW student experience, empowering students to reach their full potential.Â
If you have the passion and drive to lead the Student Success Portfolio at UNSW, and the creativity, enthusiasm, and unwavering commitment to our mission to make a positive difference in the lives of our students, we would love to hear from you.Â
Professor Sarah Maddison
- Position description
- Skills and experience
- Terms
- How to apply
Specific accountabilities for this role include:
- Develop, articulate and implement a clear vision and strategic plan for student success at UNSW covering wellbeing, campus life, employability and student engagement.
- Lead programs that enhance the overall student experience by ensuring that students have opportunities to excel academically with access to a range of support services and participate in co-curricular and extracurricular activities to thrive during their studies and prepare for their careers.
- Provide leadership and guidance to create a campus-wide culture of student engagement, a sense of belonging and student wellbeing, partnering with students, faculties and divisions.
- Oversee the design and implementation of a comprehensive student wellbeing program, including sport and cultural activities, that supports physical, mental, and emotional health and associated awareness campaigns to promote healthy lifestyles and self-care.
- Lead a team of professionals delivering outstanding health services, including medical, dental, and counselling to the highest standards of care, along with a suite of student accommodation facilities and programs that drive a sense of wellbeing and belonging to UNSW.
- Drive the next phase of expansion of UNSW’s award-winning employability and work integrated learning programs and further enhance entrepreneurship and industry and community linked learning opportunities to ensure UNSW graduates remain Australia’s most highly employed and sought after.Â
- Deliver an outstanding suite of student onboarding, peer-support, academic learning and advising, and equitable learning services that drives a culture of student engagement, participation, and active learning both inside and outside the classroom. Encourage student involvement and leadership in a range of co-curricular and extracurricular programs.
- Develop and maintain strong working relationships with Faculties and external partners to create a comprehensive support network for students' success across all areas of the Portfolio.
- Lead the coordination of crisis response and support mechanisms to assist students during challenging circumstances, ensuring a safe and caring campus environment.
- Promote diversity, equity, and inclusion within all aspects of student support services.
- Lead and develop a high-performing and thriving team, fostering a culture of continuous learning, growth, and innovation.
- Effectively allocate and manage resources, including budgets and staff, to ensure the delivery of sustainable, high-quality student initiatives.
- Implement data-driven approaches to assess the effectiveness of student success programs and initiatives, making data-informed decisions for continuous improvement. Develop and maintain effective reporting requirements.
- Ensure compliance with relevant laws, regulations, and best practices related to the range of activities deliveries by the Portfolio.Â
- Represent the Division and UNSW on relevant internal and external committees and bodies.
- Align with and actively demonstrate the and the .
- Cooperate with all health and safety policies and procedures of the university and take all reasonable care to ensure that your actions or omissions do not impact the health and safety of yourself or others.
- Â Promote academic excellence, innovative teaching methods, and effective assessment practices to enhance student learning outcomes by supporting all university staff who teach and deliver educational initiatives, including the Education Focussed community and Nexus staff, communities of practice, and the Scientia Education Academy.Â
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- A PhD or equivalent experience in a relevant field.
- Significant experience and demonstrated success in leadership roles within higher education or related fields, with a strong understanding of student support, employability and wellbeing services.
- Strong strategic planning and implementation skills, with a proven ability to develop and deliver on ambitious goals and objectives.
- Excellent interpersonal, communication, and negotiation skills, with a proven ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders.
- Knowledge of relevant laws, regulations, and best practices in student wellbeing and equity.
- Experience in the development, monitoring and evaluation of student support and wellbeing programs, and data-driven decision-making.
- Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
- A strong personal academic track record in both student success and research.
- Excellent leadership skills with the demonstrated ability to develop and grow high-performing and thriving teams.
- Demonstrated experience in strategic planning and resource management that drives sustainability in a complex organisation.
- An understanding of and commitment to UNSW’s aims, objectives and values in action, together with relevant policies and guidelines.
- Knowledge of health and safety responsibilities and commitment to attending relevant health and safety training.
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We will offer the successful candidate a salary package commensurate with the position responsibilities and the candidate’s skills, qualifications and experience.
All of our employees (excluding casuals) are entitled to receive 17% employer superannuation contributions. New employees are entitled to select their preferred superannuation fund or UniSuper, the industry fund for the Tertiary Education sector.
Our salary-sacrificing initiatives allow you to pay some or all of the offering before tax.Â
We also offer the option to salary package a fully maintained vehicle under a lease known as a novated lease. Car parking is available on campus with the ability to pay via fortnightly payroll salary sacrifice deductions.
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Your employment is conditional upon the completion of all required pre-employment or background checks. In addition, your ongoing employment is based upon the satisfactory maintenance of all relevant clearances and background check requirements.
UNSW requires that all employees have eligible working rights within Australia. As one of Australia’s top employers, we understand that some candidates may benefit from support to relocate and join our university.
If you are offered a position at the university and are not an Australian citizen or permanent resident, the university may be able to assist with sponsorship arrangements. This includes obtaining the appropriate visa to allow you to work at UNSW.
The type of visa arrangement would depend on the length of your appointment at UNSW. Our external providers, Visa Lawyers Australia, will initially make that assessment of your application on behalf of UNSW and the UNSW Recruitment team will also guide you through this process.
We may also offer financial assistance to successful candidates who are required to move from their current residence in order to take an appointment at UNSW.
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UNSW isn’t like other places you’ve worked. Yes, we’re a large organisation with a diverse and talented community; a community doing extraordinary things. But what makes us different isn’t only what we do, it’s how we do it. Together, we are driven to be thoughtful, practical, and purposeful in all we do.
Taking this combined approach is what makes our work matter. It’s why we come to campus each day.Â
We make it as easy as possible for our staff to have a rich and balanced life at work and home. As part of our approach to flexible working, we have introduced greater flexibility across location, hours, full-time equivalents, schedules and job sharing. Â
In terms of other benefits, we offer various types of leave, lifelong learning, discounts, entitlements, health and wellbeing support. Further information can be found on .
If you are interested in this role, please submit your cover letter and CV to
Job queries contact:Â
Shaun Williams, Head of Talent & Recruitment
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The deadline for applications is Friday 24 November 2023 11.55 pm.
Please note that applications will only be accepted online.
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. Â
