Director, Student Wellbeing

• Employment Type: Full-Time (35-hour week)

• Duration: Continuing Role

• Remuneration: Competitive total remuneration package

• Location:  Kensington NSW (Hybrid Flexible Working)

Why your role matters

The Director, Student Wellbeing & Sport plays a critical leadership role in shaping the student experience at UNSW through the strategic and operational oversight of health, wellbeing, and sport services. This position is responsible for implementing key university strategies, including the UNSW Student Mental Health & Wellbeing Strategy and the UNSW Sport Strategy, and for ensuring the effective planning and delivery of services and initiatives that foster student wellbeing, belonging, and success.

This role leads a diverse team of senior clinicians, practitioners, and professional staff, and contributes to strategic decision-making within both the Portfolio and the wider Division. The Director ensures the delivery of high-quality health services and preventative wellbeing programs that support the holistic health, safety, and social connection of students. They also guide the governance of sport-related activities and partnerships, ensuring these initiatives align with the university's strategic goals and brand.

As a senior member of the leadership team, the Director works in close partnership with faculties and university divisions to deliver the UNSW Student Success Framework, with a strong focus on the Experience, Engagement, and Wellbeing pillars. The role contributes to policy development and plays a key part in strengthening integrated student support services and creating seamless pathways for triage and referral across Portfolios and Faculties.

Using data, insights, and technology, the Director drives continuous improvement, innovation, and compliance across all programs, ensuring they remain responsive to the evolving needs of students. The role collaborates with the Division of Societal Impact and External Engagement, as well as the Faculty of Medicine and Health, to support student wellbeing and sport-related initiatives. It acts as the primary point of contact for external health and emergency services, including Prince of Wales Hospital and relevant Local Health Districts, to coordinate comprehensive care for students.

About You:

• Relevant tertiary qualification with subsequent relevant experience in counselling, trauma informed care, leading complex case management, student experience initiatives and partnerships in a tertiary student support environment.

• Demonstrated experience in partner development, sport business, university sport, or community sport development.

• Extensive proven success in purpose driven partnering with high-profile sporting organisations with a focus on deriving valuable impact to the students and the institution.

• In-depth knowledge of relevant higher education policies, regulations, and governance frameworks.

• Proven leadership in designing and delivering student health, wellbeing and sport programs to encourage participation and a healthy lifestyle in a higher education context.

• High-level interpersonal, communication and negotiation skills with the ability to build and maintain effective collaborative professional relationships with University staff and external stakeholders with a track record of engaging with diverse groups.

• Demonstrated experience in the design and delivery of successful university-wide strategies with significant experience in the development and implementation of programs, policies and legislative requirements.

• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to make data-driven decisions and drive innovative solutions. You must be proficient in overseeing the development of data capture and utilising data analytics to inform decision-making and continuous service improvements.

• Significant leadership of large teams and team management skills with demonstrated success in leading cultural and operational change, with a focus on simplification and service excellence fostering high performing staff.

• Demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion in the student experience.
  • Proven ability to contribute positively and effectively to the portfolio executive team to enable and ensure the achievement of team and organisational goals.

• Effective financial management experience and literacy, experience managing budgets and the ability to work collaboratively with specialist staff to effectively manage and report on allocated budgets.

• An understanding of and commitment to UNSW's aims, objectives and values in action, together with relevant policies and guidelines.

For further information on the role & responsibilities, please refer to the position description

How to Apply: Submit your CV & cover letter addressing the key selection criteria (no more than 2 pages) before Sunday 23rd November 11.55pm TBC. Please note: Sponsorship is not available for this role, valid Australian working rights are required on application.

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 (work from home, flexible hours etc)

• Additional 3 days leave during December festive period.

• Career development opportunities

• Up to 50% discount on UNSW courses

• Flexible 17% Superannuation contributions, additional leave-loading payments and salary sacrifice

• Discounts and entitlements (retail, education, fitness passport)

Job queries contact: Kim Symons, Talent Acquisition Consultant E:    (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.