About the Role The Deputy Director, Student Futures provides strategic leadership and accountability for an integrated portfolio of services and related functions that prepare students for successful study, inclusive participation, career readiness, and future life beyond university. The role brings together, evolves and strengthens employability, work integrated learning, career development, residential experience, and student accommodation strategies, while identifying opportunities to integrate other relevant student success initiatives into a coherent and future-focused student experience across Swinburne.

Operating at an enterprise level, the Deputy Director leads the design, performance, sustainability, and continuous improvement of services that support students to belong, thrive, engage with industry, access meaningful work, and transition successfully into graduate outcomes. The position provides high-level strategic advice, shapes University-wide approaches, leads cross-university partnerships, manages complex operational and financial resources, and ensures services are inclusive, evidence-informed, compliant, and aligned with university priorities.

This is an ongoing, full-time position based in Hawthorn.

About You To be suitable for this role you will need to have experience in the below key accountabilities:

- Demonstrated senior leadership experience in a complex service workplace, preferably in higher education, student services, employability, accommodation, residential services, or a related field.
- Demonstrated ability to manage critical and complex incidents, applying sound judgement and problem-solving skills.
- Highly developed relationship management skills, with the ability to work collaboratively within and outside the organisation.
- A strong understanding of, and commitment to, supporting the personal and academic needs of tertiary students, demonstrated through an empathetic and student-centred approach.
- Excellent financial and resource management skills and experience.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills including the ability to liaise and negotiate effectively with stakeholders and contractors.
- Proven ability to manage teams to maintain compliance with legislative and accreditation requirements,



while delivering effective service outcomes.
- Demonstrated experience developing and managing external strategic partnerships, commercial relationships, or contractual arrangements, including the ability to negotiate outcomes, manage exchanges of value and build mutually beneficial relationships.
- Experience in student employability and career development and/orstudent accommodation strategy, property development, accommodation mobilisation, or accreditation frameworks.

About Swinburne University of Technology Swinburne’s strategy draws upon our understanding of future challenges. We choose to build Swinburne as the prototype of a new and different university – one that is truly of Technology, of Innovation and of Entrepreneurship. We are committed to a differentiated university proposition in education and research.

Our Ad Astra strategy is the cornerstone of Swinburne’s bold ambition to lead globally in technology-driven education and research. This strategy positions us to create transformative solutions, empower learners, and partner with industry to thrive in an ever-changing world.

What We Offer You!

- Work your way with flexible working arrangements, including hybrid options and generous parental leave to support a balanced lifestyle.
- Exclusive staff discounts, including discounted Medibank health insurance, 50% off Swinburne courses and other partner offers.
- Swinburne offers 17% super and salary packaging options, including car leasing and extra super contributions.

Want to learn more? Head over to our benefits page!

To Apply

Please submit your CV and cover letter addressing the Key Selection Criteria and your suitability for this position.

To review the Position Description and to apply, please scroll down to the bottom of the page.

If you are viewing this advert from an external site,



please click ‘apply’ and you will be redirected to Swinburne’s Jobs website to access the Position Description at the bottom of the page.

Please Note: Appointment to this position is subject to passing a Working with Children Check.

If you are experiencing technical difficulties with your application, please contact the Talent Acquisition team at [email protected]

Applications Close: Monday 19th October.

Swinburne offers flexible working options contained in our leave and parenting/carer policies to support work-life balance.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Swinburne has become a world-class university, driving social and economic impacts through science, technology, and innovation. As a dual-sector university, our vision is for people and technology working together to build a better world.

Central to our vision is our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We pride ourselves on being an equal opportunity employer focused on attracting, retaining, and developing great talent. We work to remove barriers related to gender identity, culture, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, and age.

We strongly encourage applicants from diverse Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Our Moondani Toombadool Centre leads our Indigenous education and culture at Swinburne, guided by community wisdom and leadership.

We support applicants with disabilities, and reasonable adjustments can be requested at any stage of the recruitment process.For reasonable adjustment requests - including accessible formats of the position description, application form, or other documents, please contact [email protected] call [+61 3 9214 3550](tel:+61 3 9214 3550).

Please note: this phone number is for disability and reasonable adjustment enquiries only. General enquiries about the role can also be emailed to [email protected].

Victoria’s Commitment to Action: Improving international student employment outcomes.

As a signatory to Victoria’s Commitment to Action, Swinburne seeks to remove barriers to international graduate employment. We welcome and encourage applications from international graduates.

As a Circle Back Initiative Employer, we commit to responding to every applicant.

📌 Deputy Director Student Futures (Hawthorn)
🏢 Swinburne University Of Technology
📍 Hawthorn