Job Description

Chief of Staff (Faculty of Medicine & Health)

• Employment Type: Full - time (35 hours a week)
• Duration: 5-Year Fixed Term appointment
• Remuneration Competitive salary package & university benefits.
• Work rights: Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. Candidates must hold full rights to work in Australia to be considered for this position.
• Location: UNSW Health Translation Hub, Randwick

UNSW Medicine & Health stands as one of Australia’s largest and most prestigious medical faculties, consistently ranked among the world’s top 50. Established in 1961, it has a long-standing tradition of excellence in medical education, research, and innovation. The faculty is committed to addressing global health challenges and improving patient outcomes through cutting-edge research and collaborative partnerships with leading healthcare organisations.

About this role

The Chief of Staff will provide strategic, executive-level support to the Dean of Medicine & Health, enabling the Dean to focus on the Faculty’s highest priorities. As a trusted advisor, the role coordinates key relationships, oversees high-quality briefings, supports timely decision-making, and helps drive outcomes across internal and external stakeholders.

Working closely with the Dean, Executive Assistant and Faculty Executive Director, the Chief of Staff ensures priorities are aligned, communication is seamless, and delivery is coordinated across portfolios. The role requires a strong on-site presence and regular daily engagement with the Dean.

Key skills and experience required:

• Tertiary qualifications and extensive experience working effectively and with impact at a senior level in a range of complex environments essential, with an operations, communication or policy background in the tertiary education or health sectors desirable.
• Excellent communication and relationship management skills including:
  • An ability to speak in a highly articulate and influential manner, and to negotiate and build productive working relationships with key stakeholders, senior University management and external partners to achieve required outcomes.
  • Proven ability to articulate complex concepts and propose compelling arguments and rationales to all levels and types of audiences.
  • Proven ability to manage complex communications that involve understanding and responding to multiple divergent viewpoints.
• Exceptional skills in organisation, analysis, and problem-solving, coupled with a proactive and self-driven approach to evaluating complex information.
• Proficient in governance processes, with persuasive writing abilities for diverse formats.
• Proven track record of applying emerging technologies and AI capabilities to drive impactful results with consistent, end-to-end follow-through.
• Demonstrated ability to manage sensitive and confidential matters with discretion, empathy, and sound judgement, ensuring all actions align with organisational policies, ethical standards, and established processes
• Excellent time management skills, with a demonstrated ability to respond to changing priorities, manage multiple tasks and meet competing deadlines by using judgement and initiative.
• Extensive experience in successfully leading and managing a team with proven significant ability to motivate and create a positive workplace culture to achieve quality outcomes.

Full details can be found in the position description.

How to apply:

Please click on Apply now to apply online. Applications should not be sent to the contact listed below. Please provide a resume and a separate cover letter addressing the key skills and experience for the role listed in the Position Description.

Pre-Employment Checks

As part of our recruitment process candidates may be required to undergo pre-employment screening, which may include reference checks, qualification verification, right-to-work verification, and criminal history screening where relevant to the role. Compliance with the necessary combination of these checks is a condition of employment at UNSW.

Enquiries:

Merita O'Connell, Talent Acquisition Partner

E: merita.oconnell@unsw.edu.au

Applications close: Sunday 26th July before 11.30pm Sydney time.

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