Careers at UniSC

• Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), UniSC Sunshine Coast Campus, Sippy Downs
• Attractive remuneration commensurate with skills and experience, plus up to 17% employer superannuation
• Full-time, fixed-term appointment for two-years

At UniSC, we’re on a mission to reimagine how students experience learning. Through our bold, future-focused PACE Learning and Teaching Model, we’re shaping a university environment where students thrive and academic excellence drives societal impact.

We’re seeking a highly motivated and experienced transformation and change leader to join our team as Academic Transformation and Change Manager – a pivotal role within the Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic).

The Opportunity

As the Academic Transformation and Change Manager, you will lead the strategic and operational delivery of change initiatives that support the university-wide implementation of our new PACE Learning and Teaching Model. This includes driving the transition to a trimester-based calendar, modernising program and curriculum design, and enhancing enrolment flexibility – all with a sharp focus on student success and academic quality.

You will work in close partnership with senior academic and professional leaders across the university to develop and deliver people-centric transformation strategies, foster high levels of engagement, and ensure changes are embedded in ways that are sustainable and impactful.

You will

• Lead strategic transformation: Design and oversee the implementation of change strategies that support the embedding of the PACE Learning and Teaching Model across UniSC.
• Drive collaboration and engagement: Build strong, trusted relationships across schools, student services, and professional units to co-design and implement change.
• Deliver effective communication: Develop clear, consistent, and timely communication strategies to keep stakeholders informed, engaged, and aligned.
• Monitor progress and impact: Establish measures of success, track progress, and adapt approaches to ensure continuous improvement and alignment with strategic priorities.

About you

You are a strategic and collaborative leader who thrives in complex, fast-paced environments. With a strong track record of delivering transformative change, you bring clarity, energy, and a people-first mindset to every initiative. Your leadership style inspires trust and alignment, enabling cross-functional teams to deliver meaningful outcomes. You are passionate about shaping the future of learning and understand how to translate strategic vision into operational reality. With highly developed communication skills, you influence and engage diverse stakeholder groups, build momentum, and navigate complexity with confidence and care.

You will possess:

To succeed in this role, you will bring:

• Proven experience leading large-scale transformation and change in complex, matrixed environments, ideally within higher education or a similarly dynamic sector.
• Deep knowledge of change management principles, frameworks, and methodologies, with a demonstrated ability to apply these in real-world settings.
• Outstanding interpersonal and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to influence, negotiate, and build trust across diverse academic and professional groups.
• Strategic thinking capability, with the judgement to align change initiatives with broader organisational priorities.
• A collaborative and inclusive leadership style, fostering a culture of openness, adaptability, and continuous improvement.
• Strong project and program management skills, including the ability to set goals, monitor performance, and deliver on time and within scope.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to craft and deliver clear, compelling messages to a wide range of audiences.
• An understanding of curriculum transformation, academic calendar structures, or student-centred education models will be highly regarded.

UniSC is an equal opportunity employer, committed to diversity and inclusion. We encourage applications from all backgrounds, including those with disabilities, women in STEM, First Nations Peoples, and individuals of diverse cultures, genders, abilities, and experiences. We value achievement relative to opportunity and encourage your commentary on your achievements in this context. For additional support during the application process, please contact us at unisc-careers@usc.edu.au or call +61 7 5430 2830.

Position description:  493297_Academic Transformation and Change Manager_PD.pdf

All applications must be lodged through our website. To apply please visit our website at: Careers at UniSC

Applications for this position close midnight, Monday 23 June 2025

Your completed application must include a cover letter, clearly detailing your motivation for the role and demonstrated experience as aligned to the key responsibilities and selection criteria for the role, in addition to your resume.

Further information regarding how to prepare your application is available on our website: Join our team

UniSC does not accept unsolicited applications. For agency inquiries, contact unisc-careers@usc.edu.au

We would love the opportunity to get to know you better, but we know it works both ways. To get to know a little more about us, visit us at: Welcome to UniSC and LinkedIn Life

Have questions or want to know more? For a confidential discussion, please contact:

Kristie Husk, Talent Acquisition Manager
Telephone: 0418 88 4610
Email: khusk@usc.edu.au

Or

Professor Mike Wilmore, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic)

Email: dvcacademic@usc.edu.au

Discover UniSC

We're all about doing work that matters, connecting with great people, and being part of an incredible journey. We’re not the biggest university. But we’re growing every day, and doing big things. Like ground-breaking research, championing sustainability, producing gold-winning athletes and award-winning alumni.

We're one of the fastest growing universities in Australia, growing to over 2,000 people across 5 campuses in South East Queensland.

Teaching excellence is at the heart of what we do, and our commitment to sustainability is integrated into our teaching, research, and daily operations. Our research tackles the most pressing challenges of our time, with 26 research fields ranked at or above world standard according to the Excellence in Research for Australia Rankings. At UniSC you will have the opportunity to contribute to the educational landscape for future generations.

We foster a collaborative and supportive environment, encouraging continuous professional development and providing resources to enhance your career. We recognise and value the contributions of each team member to our culture and success. We're not afraid to be different, and we're looking for people who share our values and want to be part of a team that is working together to improve our local and global challenges.

Our Culture & Benefits:

• Our collaborative, passionate and welcoming culture is what really sets us apart.
• Modern teaching & research facilities.
• Professional development and career pathway opportunities.
• We are a proud recipient of the prestigious Athena SWAN Bronze Award, granted as part of the Science in Australia Gender Equity (SAGE) initiative.
• Flexible work arrangements & generous leave options.
• Salary packing options + 17% Super.
• EAP, fitness passport & discounted private health.