UNSW Business School

• Employment Type: Full time (35 hours per week)
• Duration: 3 years fixed term
• Remuneration: Level C from $161,619, through to Level E $ 247,295, plus 17% superannuation contributions and annual leave loading
• Location: Kensington Campus, Sydney (Hybrid flexible working)

About UNSW

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. 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 the reason we’re one of the top 20 universities in the world (QS top 20) and a member of Australia’s prestigious Group of Eight. If you want a career where you can thrive, be challenged and do meaningful work, you’re in the right place.

About the role

The Associate Dean, Postgraduate Programs and Academic Governance (Associate Dean, PG) is responsible for the strategic leadership, development, governance, and management of postgraduate (PG) programs at the UNSW Business School and takes delegated responsibility for education governance across the Business School education portfolio as required.

The Associate Dean, PG is a champion for the suite of postgraduate programs and a key academic governance lead who will work to advance program and education governance objectives in alignment with Business School and UNSW strategy. This includes facilitating outstanding learning experiences and outcomes for students; developing an environment that promotes continuous improvement in educational performance and governance practice; leading appropriate education governance processes across the broader education portfolio; and ensuring that the School’s programs are recognised by students and employers as leaders in their markets.

This is a senior and dynamic position, requiring strategic judgment and planning and is expected to perform at the highest level, working under the broad direction of the Senior Deputy Dean (Education and Student experience). The Associate Dean, PG will also be the Program Director of the MCom (Master of Commerce) and MCom Extension Programs at the Business School and may chair, convene or contribute to relevant Faculty education governance meetings, committees and systems across the education portfolio, and represent the Business School in relevant University committees or working groups, as required. The governance component extends beyond PG programs and, as delegated, supports academic governance across the whole Business School education portfolio.

This is an exceptional opportunity to shape the future of postgraduate education and academic governance within a leading Business School. As a senior academic leader, you will drive innovation, quality, and impact across a diverse postgraduate portfolio and broader Business School education portfolio. Working closely with senior leadership and academic stakeholders, you will influence program strategy, enhance student outcomes, and strengthen portfolio-wide academic governance practices. The role combines strategic oversight with hands-on leadership, offering the chance to build high-performing teams, foster industry engagement, and deliver programs and governance processes recognised for excellence in a competitive global market.

The level of appointment will be commensurate with the candidate’s qualifications and experience.  

Some key skills required

• Relevant academic qualifications with a strong track record of excellent educational performance and a strong understanding of postgraduate education and portfolio-wide education governance in a university setting.
• Proven record of management experience and effective leadership and team / relationship building capabilities within a higher education environment.
• Academic Level C-E (or equivalent at an overseas institution) with relevant education leadership and governance experience.
• Demonstrated understanding of strategic and political issues in the higher education sector, as well as of University and Faculty governance and policy and procedural frameworks, including education governance processes across the education portfolio.
• Demonstrated commitment to student welfare and improving student learning experiences and outcomes.
• Clear evidence of political acumen and proven ability to influence, persuade, negotiate and inspire people to act towards a common purpose to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes.
• Ability to ensure a safe, diverse, and respectful working environment which supports high performance and the development of staff.
• The ability to think creatively, to innovate and to implement change within an academic organisation.
• Demonstrated understanding of the delivery of education in a university setting, including an understanding of emerging trends in Business education both within Australia and internationally, or the capacity to quickly develop this understanding.
• Experience with education governance systems, committee processes, program administration platforms and processes, or the capacity to work effectively with such systems, is desirable.
• Exceptional oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to consult widely with stakeholders at all levels, chair or convene education governance meetings where appropriate, and superior presentation attributes and standards.

To learn more about this position and view the full list of criteria, a copy of the Position Description can be accessed by clicking on the position description button below this ad. 

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 (work from home, flexible hours etc) 
• 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)

How to Apply

Make each day matter with a meaningful career at UNSW. Submit your application online before Sunday 26 July 2026 at 11:55pm. A copy of the Position Description can be found on JOBS@UNSW.

You should systematically address the selection criteria listed within the position description in your application.

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.

Get in Touch:

Anabel Wason

Talent Acquisition Partner

a.wason@unsw.edu.au

Please apply through the application portal and not via the contact above.

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. The University reserves the right not to proceed with any appointment.