Director, Strategy and Operations

Lead with purpose and drive strategic impact nationally. Guide professional staff in a faculty educating Australia's largest cohort of nursing students.

Full time, three (3) year fixed term executive contract. As DSO, you will lead a Professional Services Hub supporting a faculty's academic and research mission. Reporting to the Senior DSO and working closely with the Executive Dean, you will:

Drive strategic planning and performance across the faculty and portfolio.

Lead operational transformation and service excellence initiatives.

Oversee planning, budgeting, workforce development and stakeholder engagement.

Champion innovation, continuous improvement and alignment with ACU\'s mission.

Collaborate across faculties and directorates to deliver integrated, high-impact services.

• Drive strategic planning and performance across the faculty and portfolio.
• Lead operational transformation and service excellence initiatives.
• Oversee planning, budgeting, workforce development and stakeholder engagement.
• Champion innovation, continuous improvement and alignment with ACU\'s mission.
• Collaborate across faculties and directorates to deliver integrated, high-impact services.

You are a strategic thinker and experienced professional who thrives in complex environments. You bring:

• Postgraduate qualifications in a business or related discipline and significant relevant professional experience and training, or equivalent professional attainment and achievement at a senior level.
• Proven leadership in managing diverse teams and large-scale operations.
• Expertise in strategic planning, governance, and change management.
• A track record of driving innovation, service culture, and performance uplift.
• Strong financial acumen and experience in higher education or similar sectors.
• A commitment to ACU\'s mission, values and service excellence.

The university pursues an excellence agenda and offers an environment where staff are welcomed and safe, and valued through development, participation and involvement.

17% employer superannuation contributions to eligible continuing and fixed-term staff.

Annual leave loading of an equivalent to 17.5% of four weeks\' salary pro rata payable, dependent on your commencement date.

As an ACU staff member, you will have access to generous benefits which include but not limited to: flexible work, study leave, a variety of leave provisions and salary packaging. Find out more information about the benefits or working at ACU here.

General enquiries can be sent to Martin Taylor, Senior Director Strategy & Operations at: [emailprotected]

Responses to the Selection Criteria and Core Competencies in a cover letter (maximum 2 pages) or in the online Declaration and Criteria application page. Brief online responses to any pre-screening employment questions.

26-SEP-2025 at 11:59pm AUS Eastern Standard Time

Candidates must hold Australian work rights to apply for this position. For permanent/ continuing roles, applicants must have permanent work rights. For further information visit Immigration and Citizenship (homeaffairs.gov.au)

Australian Catholic University (ACU) is an inclusive community which welcomes students and staff of all beliefs. ACU has over 2,500 staff supporting more than 34,000 students across eight campuses - Ballarat, Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, North Sydney, Strathfield, Blacktown and Rome.

ACU aspires to be a home for our staff, offer the care of a family and develop an academic and professional community. Whatever your faith or culture, and whether you are academic or professional staff, there are many opportunities both for learning and contributing at ACU.

As valued members of our community, all staff members are expected to have an understanding of ACU\'s mission and values and to demonstrate an active contribution to them.

ACU does not accept candidate applications submitted by external recruitment agencies through the ACU careers website.

ACU is committed to fostering an inclusive workplace culture that values diversity and enables our people to reach their potential. This is underpinned by our mission and values, grounded in our respect for all people and the advancement of the common good. ACU welcomes candidates from all backgrounds and lived experiences. ACU offers support for candidates that may require adjustments through the recruitment process. Please contact [emailprotected] to discuss your requirements in confidence.