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Provost opportunity
UNSW is one of the world’s leading research and teaching-intensive universities, known for innovative, pioneering research and high-quality education with a global impact. Since our foundation in 1949, we've aimed to improve and transform lives through excellence in research, outstanding education and a commitment to advancing a just society. With partners across every continent, delivering our mission on the global stage is central to UNSW’s ambition and underpins all our programs and activities.
We’re embarking on a search for the Provost. This position reports to the University’s Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Attila Brungs. The Provost is the Vice-Chancellor’s deputy, responsible for developing and driving high academic performance across all Faculties, including UNSW Canberra, and enabling world-class education and research as well as strategic planning and sound financial management in the Faculties. In addition to Faculty leadership, the role leads the University Planning and Performance unit and Nura Gili, UNSW’s Centre for Indigenous Programs, ensuring UNSW’s Indigenous strategy is at the heart of the University’s broader strategy. The position encourages collaboration and partnerships within the Faculties and between the Faculties and the University’s Divisions.
Candidates will demonstrate the necessary academic credibility to engage colleagues and possess the business acumen to deliver efficient and effective services, complex initiatives, and projects. Candidates will also exhibit an appropriate record of education leadership and management experience commensurate with being part of a high performing university leadership team. Outstanding communication skills and a data-led approach to decision making are essential, as is the ability to influence, inspire, think creatively and exercise sound judgment in a dynamic environment.
Message from the Vice-Chancellor and President
UNSW Sydney is proud to be a world-class university and a rich source of expertise. It is home to incredible people who are driven to make the world a better place. We exist for the public good and play a major role in seeking innovative solutions to the many challenges we face today and in the future, both locally and globally.
We are searching for a Provost – an exceptional leader responsible for leading and implementing UNSW’s strategy, providing leadership, management, and operational support to the Faculty Deans in Sydney and Canberra, and working closely with members of the executive team to ensure the continued focus on outstanding academic performance.
The Provost, as the deputy for the Vice-Chancellor, is the most senior member of the University’s executive team, and along with the Vice-Chancellor, Deputy Vice-Chancellors, and Vice-Presidents, drives the vision, strategic planning, and resource management of the University. You will develop a high-performance culture across all Faculties, enabling world-class education and research as well overseeing the University’s academic operations and driving a culture of teaching and research academic excellence.
UNSW is a wonderful and supportive place to work and collaborate. If you feel you have the passion and commitment to help further the University’s international position, we hope you’ll consider joining us.
Professor Attila Brungs
- Position description
- Terms
- How to apply
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The Provost is a senior academic leadership role responsible for driving academic leadership and strategic direction across UNSW’s Faculties and operational delivery of the university’s academic objectives. The role plays a key role in delivering the University strategy and objectives, providing leadership, management, and operational support to Faculty Deans, and working closely with members of the executive team to ensure the continued focus on outstanding academic performance.
The role is responsible for driving a high-performance culture across all Faculties which enables world-class education and research. In addition to academic performance, the Provost will also drive strategic planning and sound financial management through the Faculties.
The Provost, as the standing deputy of the Vice Chancellor is the most senior member of the University’s executive team, and along with the Vice-Chancellor, Deputy Vice-Chancellors, and Vice-Presidents, drives the vision setting, strategic planning, and resourcing management of the university.
The Provost reports directly to the Vice Chancellor and acts as the 2IC, deputising for the Vice-Chancellor when needed. Direct reports to the Provost include the Faculty Deans in Sydney and Canberra, as well as a number of operational functions and support roles.
For further information, please download the full position description.
UNSW aspires to be the exemplar Australian university and employer of choice for people from diverse backgrounds. UNSW aims to ensure equality in recruitment, development, retention and promotion of staff, and that no-one is disadvantaged on the basis of their gender, cultural background, disability, sexual orientation or identity.
To learn more about this unique opportunity please contact our advising consultants Alun Parry and Katie Miller at Boyden on +61 2 9225 7400, or Katherine.Miller@boyden.com.
Applications close on 8 May 2023.
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The successful applicant for the position of Provost will have academic status at professorial level and other qualifications, experience, and personal qualities of an outstanding nature. In reaching its decision, the selection committee will ensure that the person appointed meets the following criteria:
- Extensive senior academic leadership experience with a track record delivering strategic objectives.
- Demonstrated strategic thinking at the most senior level, with experience developing and operationalising complex initiatives in a higher education environment.
- Demonstrated ability to lead a large portfolio in a complex business. Including applying sound business and commercial acumen.
- Experience in successfully driving change across a complex business, engaging others in a vision and direction.
- Outstanding leadership skills including strong interpersonal, negotiation, influencing and communication skills.
- Strong business acumen and budget management skills, with a track record in managing financial, infrastructure and operational needs in a complex environment.
- Sound knowledge and understanding of the higher education industry both nationally and internationally with demonstrated capacity to provide thought leadership in this area.
- Excellent people management skills with experience leading and driving large and diverse teams to deliver performance outcomes.
- Demonstrated capacity to build and maintain strong relationships at the most senior level with key internal and external stakeholders, including government, relevant professions, regional, national and international networks, and the wider community.
- An understanding of and commitment to UNSW’s aims, objectives and values in action, together with relevant policies and guidelines.
- Knowledge of health and safety responsibilities and commitment to attending relevant health and safety training
Pre-employment checks required for this position
- Verification of qualifications
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As places of great inspiration and innovation, Australian universities are crucial intellectual environments where knowledge is created, communicated, and challenged. In partnership with government and business, academic research and technologies help to develop vital industries. In addition, Australian universities provide students with the skills to compete in increasingly global workplaces and are ourselves major employers.
Universities are key to Australia’s economic success. In 2018, Australian universities contributed $41 billion to the economy and supported a total of 259,100 full time jobs. In addition, 1,426,594 students studied at Australia’s 39 universities in 2018. Of these, 71 per cent (or 1,014,027) were domestic students and the remaining 29 per cent (or 412,567) were international students. In the same year, 325,171 students completed their degrees.[1]
When it comes to world university rankings, Australia has a strong, proven track record. Across all global ranking systems, criteria and fields of study, Australia ranks highly for quality of education, student satisfaction, and global reputation. The latest ranking shows more than eight Australian universities are ranked in the top 200 universities and almost two-thirds of Australia’s 39 universities are in the top 500.[2] In addition, Australia consistently ranks highly in the Universitas 21 Report – in 2020, it ranked ninth.[3]
Australian university students pursue a wide range of academic disciplines, from health and education to engineering and information technology. While the majority of students study full-time, others balance a part-time load with family or work responsibilities, and, in the current environment, many combine on-campus and online study for maximum flexibility.
International education is Australia’s fourth largest export and the largest services export industry. In 2019, the industry generated $40.3 billion in export income. The higher education sector contributed around 70 per cent (or $27.8 billion) of international education export income in 2019.[4]
The 2018 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) national report, which provides information of the quality of research undertaken by Australian universities, assessed that over 90 per cent of Australian university research was performing at, or above world standards in 2018.[5]
UNSW is a founding member of the Group of Eight (Go8), a coalition of Australia’s leading research-intensive universities, and the prestigious Universitas 21 international network. In world rankings Go8 universities are consistently the highest ranked in Australia. Seven of the Go8’s members are in the world’s top 100 universities and all Go8 members are ranked in the world’s top 150 universities: in the Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) from Shanghai Jiao Tong University, the Times Higher Education Rankings (THES) and the QS World University Rankings (QS).[6]
[1] 2020, Universities Australia 2020 Higher Education Facts and Figures
[2] 2020, Universities Australia 2020 Higher Education Facts and Figures
[3] 2020, Universities Australia 2020 Higher Education Facts and Figures
[4] 2020, Universities Australia 2020 Higher Education Facts and Figures
[5] 2018 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) 2018 report, produced by the Australian Research Council (ARC
[6] Group of Eight, Australia -
Sydney was recently ranked the 6th best city in the world to live and work in by Global Finance magazine. With world-famous beaches and a thriving arts, music, and food scene full of cultural communities to immerse yourself in, our coastal city is not just a destination, but a life experience.
Coastal living
It’s easy to see why the sunshine and coastline of Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs beaches attract so many visitors, and UNSW’s Kensington campus sits right next door. It’s less than 30 minutes from campus to Bondi by car or bus, or just 10 minutes to Coogee.
If the beach isn’t your thing, we’re 5 minutes from beautiful Centennial Park or a short stroll to Randwick’s buzzing shops, cafés and restaurants.
Expand your network
Sydney’s the financial capital of Australia, and our international city is home to many global firms and offers countless opportunities to gain experience, meet people and build your networks.
A city for students
Sydney was ranked as the 8th best student city in the world in the QS Best Student Cities Index 2022. Our large and inclusive student community benefits from Sydney’s unique blend of outdoor and metropolitan lifestyles. Sydney offers a diverse range of opportunities for employment after graduation.
Something for everyone
There’s always something to do in Sydney, whether you’re flying solo or you’re looking for something the whole family can enjoy. You can find the best swimming, snorkelling and surfing spots or watch a film at the local Randwick cinema – one of the cheapest in Sydney. Ride a bike around Centennial Park, stop for a picnic, or enjoy an Aussie BBQ with new friends.
Sydney is also home to a number of incredible annual events, including Vivid Sydney, a festival of light, music and ideas, the New Year’s Eve Fireworks (possibly the most famous fireworks display in the world), and Taste of Sydney - an annual festival celebrating food and culture.
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The Provost position is a five-year, full-time fixed-term appointment, based in Sydney, Australia.
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We will offer the successful candidate a salary package commensurate with the position responsibilities and the candidate’s skills, qualifications, and experience.
All of our employees (excluding casuals), are entitled to receive 17% employer superannuation contributions. New employees are entitled to select their preferred Superannuation fund or UniSuper, the industry fund for the Tertiary Education sector.
Our salary sacrificing initiatives allow you to pay some or all of the offering before tax. As a staff member you can enjoy priority access to four high-quality long day care centres - Early Years. This includes discounted fees paid through a salary sacrifice arrangement.
We also offer the option to salary package a fully maintained vehicle under a lease known as a novated lease. Car parking is also available on campus with the ability to pay via fortnightly payroll salary sacrifice deductions.
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Your employment is conditional upon the completion of all required pre-employment or background checks. In addition, your ongoing employment is based upon the satisfactory maintenance of all relevant clearances and background check requirements.
UNSW requires that all employees have eligible working rights within Australia. As one of Australia’s top employers, we understand that some candidates may benefit from support to relocate and join our University.
If you are offered a position at the University and are not an Australian citizen or Permanent Resident, the University may be able to assist with sponsorship arrangements. This includes obtaining the appropriate visa to allow you to work at UNSW.
The type of visa arrangement would depend on the length of your appointment at UNSW. Our external providers, Visa Lawyers Australia, will initially make that assessment of your application on behalf of UNSW and the UNSW Recruitment team will also guide you through this process.
We may also offer financial assistance to successful candidates who are required to move from their current residence in order to take an appointment at UNSW.
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UNSW isn’t like other places you’ve worked. Yes, we’re a large organisation with a diverse and talented community; a community doing extraordinary things. But what makes us different isn’t only what we do, it’s how we do it. Together, we are driven to be thoughtful, practical, and purposeful in all we do.
Taking this combined approach is what makes our work matter. It’s why we come to campus each day.
We make it as easy as possible for our staff to have a rich and balanced life at work and home. As part of our approach to flexible working, we have introduced greater flexibility across location, hours, full-time equivalents, schedules, and job sharing.
In terms of other benefits, we offer various types of leave, lifelong learning, discounts, entitlements, health and wellbeing support. Further information can be found on Jobs@UNSW.
To learn more about this unique opportunity please contact our advising consultants Alun Parry and Katie Miller at Boyden on +61 2 9225 7400, or Katherine.Miller@boyden.com.
Applications close on 8 May 2023.
