Pro Vice-Chancellor

• Full time, fixed term for five years with renewal option
• Provide strategic leadership and executive oversight of student-centred services and initiatives—ensuring inclusive, responsive, and high-impact support across the student lifecycle from pre-entry to graduation
• Offering a competitive remuneration package including 17% superannuation

About the opportunity

The Pro Vice-Chancellor (Students) is a senior executive appointment reporting to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education and Students). This pivotal role provides strategic leadership across student-centred services including diversity, disability and inclusion, counselling, safer communities, and co-curricular programs—ensuring these services are timely, accessible, and responsive to the evolving needs of our diverse student population.

This unique opportunity is available to suitably qualified and experienced applicants from either academic or professional backgrounds, reflecting the University's commitment to student-centricity, inclusive leadership and sector-wide excellence.

The PVC (Students) drives initiatives that support students from pre-entry through to graduation, fostering academic success, personal development, and active engagement. Working collaboratively across Faculties, Professional Service Units and central Portfolios, and in partnership with student representatives, the PVC ensures alignment of student inclusion and enrichment strategies with institutional goals.

Executive responsibilities include:

• Strategic leadership across student-centred services including diversity, disability and inclusion, counselling, safer communities, and co-curricular programs.
• Institutional responses to critical incidents, ensuring effective communication, resolution, and support for affected students and staff.
• Executive oversight of learning support services, including academic enrichment, transition programs, and student success initiatives.
• Executive oversight of the Centre for English Teaching (CET), ensuring high-quality delivery and alignment with student needs and compliance obligations.
• Ensuring institutional compliance with the National Code for Gender-Based Violence (GBV), promoting a culture of safety, accountability, and transparency in student matters.
• Strategic initiatives that enhance the student experience across the full lifecycle—from pre-entry to graduation—supporting academic success and personal development.
• Collaboration with Faculties, central Portfolios, and academic leaders to align student inclusion, engagement, and support strategies with University-wide goals.
• Professional judgement in high-stakes decision-making, ensuring alignment with University policies, values, and strategic priorities
• Leadership of high-performing professional teams, fostering a culture of excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Work in partnership with student organisations and representatives to improve the student experience

About you (skills, capabilities and experience)

• hold a postgraduate qualification in a relevant field or possess equivalent training and experience.
• bring a minimum of 10 years' experience in student support and services within higher education.
• demonstrate expertise in leading large teams and managing complex projects in dynamic environments.
• possess deep knowledge of higher education policies, governance, and regulatory frameworks.
• have a strong track record in developing and implementing institution-wide student experience strategies.
• have a track record of success in improving the student experience at scale
• show experience in financial management, business transformation, and strategic innovation.

Key benefits

• a university contribution of 17% of your base salary to your superannuation fund.
• tax-efficient salary packaging options for cars, laptops, and additional contributions to your superannuation fund.
• generous relocation allowance if moving from interstate or overseas.
• access to fitness passports, as well as discount rates on university sports and fitness centres.
• gain the recognition of working in a leading university.

Sponsorship / work rights for Australia

Work Rights: you must have unrestricted work rights in Australia for the duration of this employment to apply. Visa sponsorship is not available for this appointment.

Term and remuneration

The successful candidate will be offered a five -year fixed term position on a full-time basis, with the possibility for renewal subject to performance and funding agreement. The appointment is subject to completion of a satisfactory probation period for new appointees.

Pre-employment checks

Your employment is conditional upon the completion of all roles 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 excellence and 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 as LGBTQIA+ . We welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds.

We are proud to be recognised as an Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI) Platinum Employer. Find out more about our work on diversity and inclusion .

How to apply

Applications ( including a CV and cover letter outlining how your skills, capabilities and experience meet the requirements for the role ) can be submitted via the Apply button at the top of the page. Please refer to the candidate information brochure and position description for further details.

Candidate Information Brochure

Click to view the Position Description for this role.

Click to view the Candidate Information Pack for this role.

For employees of the University or contingent workers, please login into your Workday 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 John Flynn (Senior Talent Partner, Senior Talent Acquisition, Recruitment Operations) on or by email

The University of Sydney

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

Applications Close

Sunday 19 October :59 PM