Job Description

Be challenged and imagine with us

As the School Executive Officer, you will play a pivotal leadership role within the School of Education, one of Australia's leading providers of teacher education. Working closely with the Head of School and College General Manager, you will help shape the strategic direction of the School while ensuring the effective delivery of core operational, financial and administrative functions. This is an opportunity to influence decision-making, lead meaningful change and support a high-performing academic community.

Success in this role requires an ability to balance strategic leadership with a highly responsive service mindset. You will support academic staff to achieve their teaching, research and engagement objectives while leading a professional team to deliver outstanding operational outcomes and drive continuous improvement.

No two days are the same in this diverse leadership role. From leading a team of professional staff (up to 10) and overseeing complex operational activities to driving process improvements and supporting strategic initiatives, you will make a tangible contribution to the School's success. If you are a collaborative leader with strong organisational, financial and stakeholder management skills, this role offers the opportunity to make a real impact in an environment committed to excellence, equity and innovation

In this role you will:

• Lead and develop a team of professional staff, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability and continuous improvement.
• Provide high-level advice and support to the Head of School and College General Manager on operational, strategic and administrative matters.
• Support strategic planning processes and contribute to the development and implementation of School and College priorities.
• Represent and advocate for the School’s best interests in University-wide initiatives, building productive relationships across the institution to influence outcomes and support School priorities.
• Serve as a trusted advisor and key point of contact for academic staff, providing high-level guidance and facilitating solutions to support teaching, research and engagement priorities.
• Manage the School's administrative operations across a broad range of activities, including staffing, committee support, facilities, timetabling and student services.
• Oversee budget planning, forecasting and financial reporting, providing advice to support informed decision-making.
• Drive process improvement initiatives to enhance operational effectiveness and service delivery.
• Provide expert advice on policy, compliance and governance matters relevant to School operations.
• Support quality assurance, health, safety and wellbeing initiatives across the School.

This full-time continuing position, is at a HEW 8, and located at the Callaghan Campus (Awabakal and Worimi land).

How will you inspire us?

You will have:

• Postgraduate qualifications (or progress towards), extensive relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
• Experience leading and managing administrative or professional support teams.
• Proven leadership skills with the ability to motivate, inspire and develop teams to achieve strong outcomes.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build effective relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Strong planning, organisational and project management capabilities.
• Demonstrated experience in financial management, compliance and quality assurance.
• A commitment to fostering safe, healthy, inclusive and respectful workplaces, with experience supporting positive workplace practices and behaviours.

About our University

The University of Newcastle stands as a global leader distinguished by a commitment to equity and excellence. Our vision is to be a world-leading University for our regions and create a better future for our regions and the globe. Underpinned by this vision are our values of excellence, equity, engagement and sustainability.

About the Unit

The School of Education is one of Australia’s leading providers of teacher education and is part of the College of Human and Social Futures at the University of Newcastle. Driven by a commitment to equity, excellence and innovation, we are shaping the future of education through high-quality teaching, impactful research and strong partnerships that create meaningful change in our communities and beyond.

What we offer

In addition to working for a university that is breaking boundaries, discovering new ways of thinking and cementing a place as a global leader, we offer a range of benefits to our employees to ensure you balance your commitments, stay healthy and work effectively.

These include:

• Remuneration of Higher Education Worker Level 8 + 17% superannuation, commensurate with skills and experience.
• Additional University Holiday days, generous personal, life, and parental leave, annual leave loading, and additional purchased leave scheme.
• Discounts on private health insurance, gym memberships, software, travel and more.
• A range of support and wellbeing programs.

For more information on benefits and conditions, please follow this link

Your next steps

Important information before you apply:

If viewing this on a job board other than the University's please click ‘Apply’ (or equivalent) to reach the University's website, where a copy of the Position Description can be accessed. Please download a copy from the Related Documents section before commencing your application.

Applications for this position will only be accepted from those with Australian residency or a valid work permit.

Your application must include:

• Your resume.
• A cover letter outlining your motivation to apply for this opportunity.
• A statement addressing each of the essential criteria listed in the position description

1. Postgraduate qualifications or progress towards postgraduate qualifications and extensive relevant experience; or extensive experience and management expertise; or an equivalent combination of relevant experience and/or education/training.
2. Demonstrated experience in the management of an administrative support team.
3. Demonstrated leadership capability including the ability to lead and inspire a team of professional staff to deliver exceptional performance and outcomes.
4. Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills including the capacity to build relationships and an interdisciplinary way of working.
5. Demonstrated high-level ability in planning/organisation, project management, financial management, compliance, and quality assurance.
6. Demonstrated knowledge of workplace obligations to, and experience in leading and cultivating workplace practices and behaviours that promote, support, and maintain a safe, healthy, equitable, diverse, and respectful workplace, including responding appropriately to adverse accidents, incidents, behaviours, issues, reports and the like.

Please upload your Cover Letter and response to the requested Criteria as one PDF document This document should not exceed 3 pages.

We value diversity and strive to ensure that our recruitment processes are equitable, inclusive, and barrier-free. If you require an alternative pathway to view the Position Description or to submit an application, please reach out to employment@newcastle.edu.au

We also seek to provide a fair chance to all applicants by providing reasonable adjustments where required during the assessment and interview phases of the recruitment process.

Our assessment process

Typically, candidates that progress beyond the shortlist stage can expect to undertake the following (minimum) assessment activities as part of the recruitment process:

• Interview (an ‘in person’ interview will be conducted as part of the process)
• Referee checks
• Pre-employment checks as appropriate to the role

Our University is committed to creating a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for every member of our community This commitment is central to our values and our efforts to build a diverse workforce where everyone can thrive.

As part of this, and in alignment with the National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-Based Violence 2025, from 1 January 2026, the University will also consider gender-based violence risk factors as part of our recruitment processes.

The completion and return of the University’s Gender-based Violence Declaration Form will form part of the pre-employment checks for this position and any offer of employment will be conditional upon review by the University.

Our adherence to the Code is about more than compliance – it’s about living our values. Together, we can ensure our University remains a place where respect, safety, and inclusion are non-negotiable.

Contact Us

For specific position enquiries, please contact Robert Parkes, Dean of Education and Head of School on email at robert.parkes@newcastle.edu.au

Having technical difficulties? Please reach out to us: employment@newcastle.edu.au Please note, we do not accept email applications.

Closing date: Thursday, 20 August 2026 at 11.59pm AEST

We are excited to be Looking Ahead with you!

We provide opportunities for all people regardless of their background and experience, and this philosophy is reflected across all that we do.

The University of Newcastle is an equal opportunity employer committed to equity, diversity, and social inclusion. Women and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are particularly encouraged to apply.

#LI-CJ1