Full time, continuing opportunity
Lead strategic transformation and service excellence across the University's graduate research candidature functions
Offering a competitive remuneration package including 17% superannuation

About the prospect
The Graduate Research School is seeking an experienced and strategic leader to join the team asHead, Graduate Research Services. Reporting to the Director, Graduate Research School, this pivotal leadership role is responsible for leading the HDR Administration Centre and delivering high-quality services and operational support across the Higher Degree by Research (HDR) lifecycle.
As a key member of the Graduate Research School leadership team, you will play an important role in shaping the strategic direction of graduate research administration at the University. Working closely with senior academic and professional staff stakeholders, you will lead the development and implementation of initiatives that enhance the experience of HDR candidates and supervisors, drive service excellence, and support the University's research training objectives.
The role involves leading a team, developing capability, promoting a culture of continuous improvement, and empowering staff to deliver high-quality services to the University's research community. You will champion operational excellence, strengthen collaboration across the University, and foster a positive, high-performing environment that supports both employee success and outstanding service delivery.
This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced people leader who enjoys developing teams, driving meaningful change, and making a significant contribution to the future of research training at one of Australia's leading universities.
Your key responsibilities will be to:
provide strategic advice and operational support to the Director, Graduate Research School, the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Researcher Training) and senior University stakeholders
lead the delivery of high-quality, client-focused services across the HDR lifecycle
lead, develop and mentor a high-performing team, fostering a culture of accountability, continuous improvement and service excellence
drive service innovation, process improvement and HDR systems enhancements
manage governance, compliance, policy implementation and operational risk across the Graduate Research School
build and maintain productive partnerships with faculties, schools and professional service units.

About you
proven senior leadership experience within a complex organisational environment
demonstrated success leading large operational or student service functions and driving organisational improvement
experience leading and developing teams, building capability and fostering a high-performing and engaged workforce
expertise in governance, compliance, policy implementation and service delivery frameworks
demonstrated ability to influence, negotiate and build effective partnerships with senior stakeholders across a complex organisation




postgraduate qualifications in a relevant discipline, or an equivalent combination of training and experience; familiarity with the HDR environment is highly desirable.

Sponsorship / work rights for Australia
You must have unrestricted work rights in Australia for the duration of this employment to be eligible 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 are trust, accountability and excellenceand we strive to be a place where everyone can thrive. We are committed to creating a University community that thrives through diversity and reflects the wider community that we serve. We deliver on this through our commitment to diversity and inclusion, evidenced by 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 asLGBTIQ+ . We welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds.
We are proud to be recognised as an Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI) Gold employer. Find out more about our work on diversity and inclusion .
How to apply
Applications (including a cover letter, CV, and any additional supporting documentation) can be submitted via theApplybutton at the top of the page.
For employees of the University or contingent workers, please login into yourWorkday account and navigate to the Career icon on your Dashboard. Click on USYD Find Jobs and apply.
For a confidential discussion about the role, or if you require reasonable adjustment or any documents in alternate formats, please contact Nicole Turle, Recruitment Operations by email to ******
CopyrightThe University of Sydney
The University reserves the right not to proceed with any appointment.
Click to view the Position Description for this role.
Applications Close
Thursday 19 November *******:59 PM
The University of Sydney was established in **** and is consistently recognised, both locally and internationally,



for its outstanding teaching and research excellence. Sydney alumni include Prime Ministers, Governor Generals, Nobel Prize winners and leaders in every field of endeavour.
The University offers a comprehensive range of courses, including a number of disciplines unique in Australia. Teaching is spread across nine different state-of-the art campuses, located across New South Wales.
The University of Sydney's commitment to excellence in research has resulted in an outstanding record in national competitive funding and underpins an approach to teaching which has won nominations for excellence and resulted in high student satisfaction ratings. The University has 78 research centres and institutes and is home to three ARC Centres of Excellence.
The teaching, research and cultural life of the University is supported by extensive facilities, including the largest library collection in the Southern Hemisphere, the world-class Nicholson Museum of archaeological antiquities, the Macleay Museum of natural history and ethnographic collections and the University Art Gallery. Its outstanding sporting and recreation facilities provide a training centre for students and Olympic athletes.
The University of Sydney is a key member of the Group of Eight Australian major research-intensive universities, and the Worldwide Universities Network.
Campuses
The University of Sydney has nine official campuses.
1. Camperdown/Darlington Campus.
2. Cumberland Campus. Home to the Faculty of Health Sciences (based in Lidcombe).
3. Mallett Street Campus. Home of the Sydney Nursing School.
4. Sydney Conservatorium of Music Campus. In Macquarie Street, central Sydney.
5. Rozelle Campus. Home to Sydney College of the Arts.
6. Surry Hills Campus. Home to the Faculty of Dentistry.
7. Camden Campus. Contains facilities connected to the Faculty of Veterinary Science and the Faculty of Agriculture and Environment.
8. Burren Street Campus. Facilties are currently under development.
9. Sydney Medical School campuses. These include the School of Rural Health (in Dubbo and Orange), the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Concord Hospital, Westmead Hospital, the Children's Hospital at Westmead, Nepean Hospital, Northern Clinical School, Sydney Adventist Hospital, Broken Hill University Department of Rural Health, and Northern Rivers University Department of Rural Health.
Faculties
The University of Sydney has 16 faculties.
1. Agriculture and Environment
2. Architecture, Design and Planning
3. Arts and Social Sciences
4. Business (Business School)
5. Dentistry
6. Education and Social Work
7. Engineering and Information Technologies
8. Health Sciences
9. Law (Sydney Law School)
10. Medicine (Sydney Medical School)
11. Nursing and Midwifery
12. Pharmacy
13. Science
14. Sydney College of the Arts
15. Sydney Conservatorium of Music
16. Veterinary Science
Number of Employees
Full-time employees: ****
For more information, please visit: /

📌 Head, Graduate Research Services (Sydney)
🏢 Centre For Continuing Education
📍 Sydney