Remuneration: A competitive remuneration package will apply
The University
Monash University is a modern, global, research-intensive university, delivering education and research excellence in Australia and across the Indo-Pacific with a vibrant and diverse community of 86,000 students, 17,000 staff, and more than 490,000 alumni working together to create real change. We are embedded in the communities we serve with three international teaching locations, six campuses, and more than 100 partner universities.
The University’s Strategic Plan, Impact 2030, defines priorities and actions for the University for the next decade: we’re focused on making a positive impact on three of today's global challenges – climate change, geopolitical insecurity and thriving communities. Monash is ranked among the world’s top universities and is currently ranked 37th globally in the QS World University Rankings 2025.
The Opportunity
With a laser focus on innovation, excellence and continuous improvement, the Chief Operating Officer and Senior Vice-President (COO) oversees an extensive and diverse portfolio of business functions to drive seamless, integrated, enterprise-wide organisational performance.
The portfolio delivers high-quality support services for students and staff within the Monash community, enabling effective engagement and academic success. With exceptional operational expertise, strategic thinking and visionary leadership, the COO delivers organisational efficiency, and administrative and transformative initiatives, ensuring alignment with the University’s strategic goals in Impact 2030.
Reporting to the Vice-Chancellor and President, the COO is an integral member of the Vice-Chancellor’s Group (VCG) and the Vice-Chancellor’s Executive Committee (VCEC), and brings extensive experience and impeccable judgement to provide trusted support and advice to the Vice-Chancellor, and the senior executive, on a disparate range of business-critical matters.
The COO portfolio is comprised of approximately 1,200 FTE, and oversees an operating budget of around $410m and a capital development budget of up to $250m. The business functions within the portfolio encompasses:
- Office of the COO
- Human Resources
- Office of the General Counsel
- Buildings and Property
- Digital & IT Services
- Marketing and Communications
- Recruitment and Admissions
- Operational Resilience
- Planning and Commercial Services
The Person
This is an outstanding opportunity for an energetic and dynamic leader who can bring a sophisticated blend of operational excellence, inspirational leadership, commercial acumen, and strategic vision. The ideal candidate will have a successful track record of developing and implementing strategies that drive the delivery of efficient and effective corporate services, across a largescale, complex and international organisation. A natural and visionary leader of high-performing teams, our next COO will have the capacity to provide invaluable advice, transformative initiatives and optimal organisational efficiency - through innovation and continuous improvement.
Candidates with relevant qualifications and extensive leadership at COO or similar C-suite level, will need to demonstrate strong commercial, legal and financial acumen. A comprehensive understanding of broader operational disciplines across management, IT, infrastructure, legal services and HR is essential. Ideally candidates will have a working knowledge of the higher education sector, including the regulatory, governance, environmental and political frameworks, or the ability to transfer their skills from other relevant service industries/sectors. Given the size and complexity of the global Monash operations, exceptional communication, superior negotiation and conflict resolution skills are critical.
How to Apply
Odgers Berndtson is partnering with Monash University on this key appointment. For more information about the role and a confidential conversation, please contact:
