Director, Operations (Provost)

• Full-time, Ongoing Senior Position.
• Parramatta South campus with flexible working arrangements.
• Competitive senior-level remuneration, commensurate with experience.

Enable Provost portfolio Division's strategy and operations that advance student success, drive research and advance Greater Western Sydney.

The Opportunity
You will be the principal strategic and operational advisor to the Provost, leading the effective operation of the Office of the Provost and supporting informed decision-making across a large and complex portfolio. This role requires a strong understanding of Western Sydney, the region the University serves, and the role of higher education in advancing student success, impactful research and stronger communities.

You will work across the Provost portfolio as a senior enabler to the University's Schools, Faculties, Research Institutes, The College and our Global Partnerships and TNE activities and across our other professional divisions. You will support the coordination of strategic priorities that help reshape core academic offerings, strengthen student care, support global growth and enable research outcomes aligned with the University’s mission and place in Greater Western Sydney.

You will oversee portfolio planning, performance, governance and operational effectiveness, while preparing executive briefings, reports, business cases, submissions and recommendations for senior decision-makers. You will lead significant projects, reviews and improvement initiatives, build productive relationships with senior internal and external stakeholders, and ensure activities across the portfolio are integrated, well governed and aligned with institutional objectives. 

Western Sydney University has a strong and sustained commitment to gender equity, diversity and inclusion. The University is a recipient of an Athena Swan Cygnet Award and an Athena Swan Bronze Award, and has been recognised for more than 18 years as an Employer of Choice for Gender Equality by the Workplace Gender Equality Agency.

You will work closely with the Senior Advisor and Programs Manager, Gender Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, who reports to this role and leads Western’s engagement with SAGE and the University’s ongoing gender equity and diversity programs. These programs support Western’s continued recognition through Athena Swan and WGEA, and contribute to a more equitable and inclusive University community.

What Success Looks Like:

• Provide timely, authoritative strategic, operational and policy advice to the Provost.
• Lead coordinated portfolio planning, performance monitoring and reporting.
• Enable Faculties and Institutes through effective governance, planning and operational support.
• Deliver high-quality executive analysis, briefings, reports, submissions and recommendations.
• Strengthen portfolio operations, risk management, compliance and continuous improvement.

Please refer to the Position Description for full details.

About You

• Postgraduate qualifications in a relevant discipline and/or equivalent senior leadership experience, professional expertise and training.
• Demonstrated experience providing strategic advice and executive support within a large, complex organisation.
• Strong understanding of the higher education sector, including contemporary policy, governance and operational challenges.
• Highly developed written communication skills across executive reports, submissions, policy documentation, briefing papers and strategic plans.
• Exceptional stakeholder engagement, consultation, negotiation and relationship management skills, with the ability to influence outcomes and build collaborative partnerships.

Benefits

We invest in the people who make our mission possible. Alongside a rewarding career, we offer a range of benefits designed to support your financial, personal and family wellbeing.

• Financial benefits: Access to staff-only products and offers with selected banking partners, salary sacrifice options for onsite parking, and novated motor vehicle leasing.
• Health and wellbeing support: Free Employee Assistance Program (EAP), complimentary annual flu vaccination, eligibility for Fitness Passport membership, and access to discounted private health cover.
• Onsite childcare: Long day care and early learning services operate at our Campbelltown, Hawkesbury, Parramatta, and Penrith campuses. Staff may be eligible for discounted fees and salary packaging, with places subject to centre capacity.

Application Details

• Position Enquiries: Direct to Professor Deborah Sweeney, Provost via [email protected] or Dr Rosalind De Sailly, Senior Talent Acquisition via [email protected]. Please include the job reference code REF1691R.
• Closing Date: 11:59pm, Wednesday 26 August 2026.
• Working Rights: You must provide evidence of your working rights in Australia at time of application. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
• How to Apply: Please note that only applications submitted via the University's online recruitment system will be considered. As part of your online application, you will be asked to respond to screening questions addressing the key qualifications, experiences and skills required for this position.

To express your interest in the role, please prepare the following application materials:

• A comprehensive professional CV detailing your positions held (with dates), key achievements, education, professional training, and qualifications (including dates of completion).
• A candidate statement (maximum three pages) outlining your vision for the role, what you hope to accomplish, and how your experience and skills align with the selection criteria.
• Contact details for three referees, including your relationship to each referee and why you have nominated them. Referees will only be contacted after prior consultation with you.
• Your earliest possible start date.

Belonging at Western

We are committed to substantive equality as outlined in our Equal Opportunity Policy. We actively encourage applications from Indigenous Australians, candidates of all gender identities and expressions, people of all abilities, and those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

For reasonable adjustments during the application process, please contact [email protected].

About Western

This is your opportunity to be part of something bigger. By joining Western Sydney University, you become a valued member of our community. As our region changes, so too does our university. Western is boldly different, energetic, global, diverse, dynamic, and youthful.

Our mission is to deliver student success, impactful research, and stronger communities. As part of our team, you will have a stake in shaping the future of education, broadening horizons, and changing lives. Making a difference starts at Western.

For the latest please visit our website and LinkedIn.