Job Description

• Full-time, Ongoing position at HEW Level 8.
• Parramatta City campus with flexible working arrangements.
• Salary: $118,969 – $132,069 per annum, plus 17% Super and Leave Loading.

Lead strategic partnerships across industries that connect Western’s students, research expertise and regional ambition with practical outcomes, and open more than one door for Western Sydney University.

The Opportunity

Western Sydney is experiencing once-in-a-generation growth, with major shifts in population, infrastructure, industry, technology and workforce demand. In this role, you will identify external relationships that can become lasting, practical partnerships and help Western Sydney University respond to the opportunities and challenges shaping the region.

Working across Schools, Institutes, Centres and The College, you will develop opportunities with organisations that have a meaningful connection to Western Sydney, from established local employers and close regional partners to companies helping shape the future of the region. These partnerships will create value for students, researchers, partners and the broader Western Sydney community.

You will shape clear propositions, lead targeted outreach and assess whether each opportunity has strategic fit, value, feasibility, readiness and appropriate resourcing. This includes building student employability and workforce pathways, connecting partners with Western’s research expertise, supporting collaborations that help shape curriculum, and responding to real-world challenges and regional priorities.

What Success Looks Like:

• Build and grow priority partner relationships that create student, research, workforce and regional value.
• Shape credible partnership propositions with Schools, Institutes, Centres and The College.
• Maintain a well-prioritised partnership pipeline with clear owners, next steps and conversion pathways.
• Turn early-stage ideas into structured partnership plans with objectives, timelines, risks and success measures.
• Represent Western Sydney University professionally in external engagements and senior-level materials.

Please refer to the for full details.

About You

• Relevant tertiary qualification and extensive experience, or equivalent education, training and professional experience.
• Demonstrated experience in business development, partnerships, industry engagement or a related field.
• Proven ability to identify prospects, lead outreach, map stakeholders and scope partnership opportunities.
• Sound commercial judgement, including the ability to assess value, feasibility, risk and partner readiness.
• Strong communication, influencing and project coordination skills across complex stakeholder groups.

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 Lynn Erkens, Director, Strategic Partnerships via L.Erkens@westernsydney.edu.au Please include the job reference code REF1623G
• Closing Date: 11:59pm, Wednesday 22 July 2026.
• Working Rights: You must provide evidence of full-time working rights in Australia at application.
• 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.

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 talentacquisitionteam@westernsydney.edu.au

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