- Employment Type: Full Time (35 hours per week)
- Duration: Continuing
- Remuneration: Competitive Remuneration Package – Senior Appointment
- Location: Kensington NSW (Hybrid Working Arrangements)
Why your role matters
Join UNSW's Division of Societal Impact, Equity and Engagement and help drive initiatives that create meaningful social impact, advance equity and strengthen access to higher education.
As Head of Strategic Programs and Research, you will lead the development and delivery of strategic programs, research and evaluation initiatives that support UNSW's Progress for All and Widening Participation strategies. Working across the University, you will drive innovative programs for equity cohorts, establish evidence-based models and frameworks, lead impact measurement and reporting, and contribute to sector-leading research and externally funded projects.
Reporting to the Director, Student Equity, you will lead a team of five and play a key role in enhancing UNSW's reputation as a leader in student equity, widening participation and educational opportunity.
Specific accountabilities include:
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- Establish and co-direct in partnership with the Director of Student Equity a Student Equity Centre or Hub that positions UNSW as a sector leader in student equity and evaluation to contribute to UNSW’s institutional reputation with State and Federal governments, peak bodies, and other universities, influencing the development of national policy and equity practice.
- Lead the design and development of robust evaluation frameworks, including Theories of Change and implementation plans, to assess the impact of widening participation and equity initiatives across the student lifecycle. Cultivate strong partnerships with internal stakeholders to embed these approaches within central teams across divisions and faculties.
- Lead the impact evaluation, continuous quality improvement and reporting for Student Equity.
- Collaborate on the development of strategic business plans, impact statements, and reporting mechanisms for key projects within the Widening Participation Strategy, contributing to the formulation of implementation plans and support the identification and prioritisation of key initiatives.
About You:
- Postgraduate qualifications and/or extensive work experience, preferably in program evaluation and in managing complex projects.
- Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills and expert knowledge of data literacy, quantitative data analysis and research.
- Mixed-methods evaluation expert with strong skills in both quantitative and qualitative data analysis.
- Experience in managing Commonwealth reporting, grant reporting and relevant legislative frameworks, and an ability to work according to strict deadlines and meet desired outcomes.
- Ability to work both independently and as part of a team, taking initiative and exercising sound judgement in resolving complex matters.
- Demonstrated excellent planning, analytical, evaluation and problem-solving skills, and the ability to communicate effectively and with influence across a range of diverse internal and external stakeholders.
- Proven management experience at a senior level: together with flexibility, capacity to adapt to changing environments and, when necessary, navigating through ambiguity.
For further details on role responsibilities and skills & experience required, refer to the position description found under the position listing on Jobs@UNSW.
Benefits and Culture:
People are at the core of everything we do. We recognise it is the contributions of our staff who make UNSW one of the best universities in Australia and the world.
Our benefits include:
- Flexible working options.
- Career development opportunities.
- 17% Superannuation contributions and additional leave loading payments.
- Additional 3 days of leave over Christmas period.
- Discounts and entitlements (retail, education, fitness).
For further details on the benefits, please visit https://www.jobs.unsw.edu.au/lifestyle-benefits
Pre-Employment Checks
Aligned with UNSW’s focus on cultivating a workplace defined by safety, ethical conduct, and strong integrity, preferred candidates will be required to participate in a combination of pre-employment checks relevant to the role they have applied for.
These pre-employment checks may include a combination of some of the following checks:-
- National and International Criminal history checks
- Entitlement to work and ID checks
- Working With Children Checks
- Completion of a Gender-Based Violence Prevention Declaration
- Verification of relevant qualifications
- Verification of relevant professional membership
- Employment history and reference checks
- Financial responsibility assessments/checks.
- Medical Checks and Assessments
Compliance with the necessary combination of these checks is a condition of employment at UNSW.
How to Apply: Submit your CV & cover letter addressing the key selection criteria (no more than 2 pages) before 11.55pm Sunday 5th July 2026. Please note: Sponsorship is not available for this role, valid Australian working rights are required on application.
Job queries contact: Chloe Gane, Talent Acquisition Consultant E: chloe.gane@unsw.edu.au (applications to the address cannot be accepted, please apply online)
UNSW is committed to equity diversity and inclusion. Applications from women, people of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, those living with disabilities, members of the LGBTIQ+ community; and people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent, are encouraged. UNSW provides workplace adjustments for people with disability, and access to flexible work options for eligible staff.
