The Opportunity
- 3-year fixed term contact
- Competitive remuneration package
The Data Lead is a pivotal senior role within the Business Optimisation Strategy (BOS) program, with primary accountability to BOS and a strong strategic partnership with the Enterprise Data Office (EDO).
Reporting to the BOS program, and with a formal dotted line to the EDO, this role acts as the key conduit between enterprise data leadership and program delivery. It ensures that all data related activity across ERP, ESM, Payroll, and associated platforms is aligned to UNSW enterprise data strategy, governance, quality, and compliance standards.
The role provides authoritative data governance leadership within the BOS program, while actively representing EDO priorities, standards, and risk considerations in program design and execution. Through this dual alignment, Data Lead enables effective collaboration, clear accountability, and informed decision making across BOS and EDO, without diluting program ownership or delivery accountability.
This position plays a critical role in embedding enterprise data governance into large scale transformation outcomes, supporting UNSW broader data maturity objectives while ensuring pragmatic and timely program delivery
The Organisation
UNSW isn’t like other places you’ve worked. Yes, we’re a large organisation with a diverse and talented community; a community doing extraordinary things. But what makes us different isn’t only what we do, it’s how we do it. Together, we are driven to be thoughtful, practical, and purposeful in all we do. Taking this combined approach is what makes our work matter. It’s the reason we’re Australia’s number one university for impact and among the nation’s Top 20 employers. And it’s why we come to campus each day.
Benefits and Culture:
UNSW offer a competitive salary and access to UNSW benefits including:
- Hybrid/Flexible working arrangements
- Additional 3 days of leave over the Christmas Period
- Access to lifelong learning and career development
- Progressive HR practices
- Discounts and entitlements
- On-site parking available
Who you are
You will need to have demonstrated expertise in organisational change, stakeholder engagement, and program delivery, with the ability to embed transformation and deliver long-term value. Along with:
- A relevant tertiary qualification with significant and sustained relevant experience or equivalent level of knowledge gained through any combination of education, training and/or experience.
- Significant experience developing or implementing data and analytic strategies within large, federated or complex organisations.
- Substantial technical expertise in enterprise data management, including data governance frameworks, metadata and lineage concepts, data quality, and critical data element management, to ensure that the University’s data strategy is grounded in robust and scalable data practices.
- Specialised capability in assessing current and target-state data architectures, including federated and data-mesh–style operating models, to ensure strategic recommendations are technically feasible and aligned to UNSW’s ecosystem.
- Advanced knowledge of emerging data and AI governance practices, regulatory expectations, and integration of complex data sources, which are essential for shaping sustainable enterprise-wide data transformation"
- Proven experience driving the development and implementation of effective solutions and initiatives to address complex problems.
- Demonstrated ability to proactively deliver high quality and solution-oriented engagement strategies to a diverse group of clients, including senior managers and executive stakeholders.
- Demonstrated ability to build positive relationships with colleagues and key client groups
- Demonstrated ability to think and operate strategically, with high level problem solving and analytical skills.
- High level interpersonal and communication skills, and a demonstrated ability to negotiate and influence key decision makers.
- Demonstrated experience providing oversight or assurance for large-scale ERP transformation programs.
- Exceptional stakeholder management skills, with the ability to balance program pragmatism and compliance assurance.
- Experience influencing senior executives and program leaders to drive alignment across multiple domains.
- Strategic thinker with strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication capabilities.
To apply: Please submit your CV and Cover Letter, addressing the Skills and Experience required, via the APPLY button.
Contact: Kim Symons - Talent Acquisition Manager e: k.symons@unsw.edu.au
Applications close: 11.55pm, Sunday 15th February 2026.
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.
Pre-Employment Checks
Aligned with UNSW’s focus on cultivating a workplace defined by safety, ethical conduct, and strong integrity preferred candidates will be required to participate in a combination of pre-employment checks relevant to the role they have applied for.
These pre-employment checks may include a combination of some of the following checks:-
- National and International Criminal history checks
- Entitlement to work and ID checks
- Working With Children Checks
- Completion of a Gender-Based Violence Prevention Declaration
- Verification of relevant qualifications
- Verification of relevant professional membership
- Employment history and reference checks
- Financial responsibility assessments/checks.
- Medical Checks and Assessments
Compliance with the necessary combination of these checks is a condition of employment at UNSW.
