Director, Strategy and Operations

Campus Location: North Sydney, Australia | Melbourne, Australia

Job No: APTAV114880#010

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. Competitive, market-based salary package, Melbourne or North Sydney based.

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.

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.

General enquiries: Martin Taylor, Senior Director Strategy & Operations at: Martin.Taylor@acu.edu.au

Step 1: Review the Position Description and become familiar with Our Mission and the Application process.

Step 2: Click the View Position Description and Apply button, and populate your candidate application details, including your:

• resume (maximum 5 pages).
• 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.

Applications close: 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).

Your privacy of personal information is maintained in accordance with ACU policy. For more details visit: www.acu.edu.au/careers.

About ACU

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. ACU aspires to be a home for our staff, offering care and opportunities for learning and contribution. All staff are expected to contribute to ACU\'s mission and values.

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

Learn more about Athena Swan.

Seniority level: Not Applicable

Employment type: Full-time

Job function: Business Development and Sales | Industries: Higher Education