Job Description

About Our Watch

Our Watch is a national leader of primary prevention of violence against women and their children. Our vision is an Australia where women and their children live free from all forms of violence, and our role is to stop violence before it starts. We work to embed gender equality and prevent violence where Australians live, learn, work and socialise. Visit https://www.ourwatch.org.au/ for more information.

About the role

• Hybrid and fully remote working arrangements available
• Full-time opportunity (Part-time options will be considered/ flexible work arrangements available)
• Fixed term to June 2027 (with potential for renewal) $$106,148 – $111,307 plus + 12% super + 17.5% annual leave loading + 5 additional days health/wellbeing leave.

Reporting to the Prevention Implementation Manager, the Universities Lead is a key role within the University & TAFE team in Our Watch's Prevention in Action (PIA) Directorate. You will lead Our Watch's engagement with universities and higher education providers across Australia, supporting the sector to prevent gender-based violence and advance gender equality.

In this role, you will develop and deliver annual engagement plans, build and maintain strategic stakeholder relationships, and provide expert advice, training and capacity-building support to the higher education sector. You will work closely with universities and sector partners to support the implementation of Educating for Equality and the National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based Violence 2025.

Key responsibilities include:

• Developing and delivering annual work plans and engagement activities for the higher education sector.
• Building and maintaining strong relationships with universities, higher education providers and key stakeholders.
• Designing and delivering training, workshops, webinars and other capacity-building initiatives.
• Providing expert advice and technical support to strengthen prevention capability across the sector.
• Coordinating projects, resources and reporting requirements, while managing emerging risks and issues.
• Representing Our Watch externally and promoting evidence-based approaches to gender equality and violence prevention.
• Collaborating across teams and with external partners to deliver strategic priorities and organisational objectives.
• This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to meaningful social change and support the creation of safer, more equitable higher education environments across Australia.
• Please note: A valid Working with Children Check is required for this position.

About you

You are a collaborative and proactive professional with a passion for advancing gender equality and preventing gender-based violence. You bring strong relationship management skills, experience working with diverse stakeholders, and the ability to support organisations to implement sustainable change.

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• Tertiary qualifications in education, health promotion, social or political science, gender studies, community development, or a related discipline.
• Demonstrated knowledge of primary prevention approaches to gender-based violence and gender equality.
• Understanding of the Australian higher education sector and its operating environment.
• Experience supporting organisational change and building capability through training, advice, resources and stakeholder engagement.
• Strong relationship management skills, with the ability to develop and maintain effective partnerships across diverse stakeholder groups.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience preparing reports, presentations and engagement materials.
• Experience designing and facilitating workshops, training or capacity-building activities.
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities, work independently and meet deadlines.
• High-level proficiency in the Microsoft Office Suite.
• An understanding of intersectionality and the impact of systemic inequality, with a commitment to inclusive and equitable practice.
• A commitment to ethical conduct, including the management of sensitive and confidential information.

Why work for us

Our Watch is strongly committed to the wellbeing of its employees, and we strive to continuously improve our employee experiences at work. Our Watch is recognised by the Australian HR Awards for the Best Workplace Flexibility Program, received an Excellence Award as an Employer of Choice in the Not-for-Profit Sector, and is recognised as an Inclusive Employer by Diversity Council Australia. Visit https://www.ourwatch.org.au/about-us/work-with-us/ for more information.

A few of our unique award-winning benefits include:

• Commitment to work life balance, including flexible hours/ways of working
• Additional 5 personal leave days per year
• 12 weeks paid parental leave for all new parents
• Innovative leave policies, such as floating public holiday leave, cultural leave, etc.
• Cultural remuneration package for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff
• $1500 individual Learning & Development budget per year

How to apply

Apply now with your current resume and cover letter. Hybrid, remote and work from home options considered within Australia. Please copy the below link into your URL to access the position description - https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/n3uhkqt638y1s33ruyqqh/PD-Universities-Lead-2026.pdf-rlkey=9e25vrhtgsegmmqf064fftmlg&st=r3xg3dc1&dl=0

Our Watch is committed to diversity, we value people of all cultures, languages, capacities, sexual orientations, gender identities and we strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. We are passionate about providing a barrier-free recruitment process; if you require modifications during the application process to meet your access needs, please contact us.

Applications close 11.59pm Tuesday 4th of August, however applications will be assessed as received.