Position Summary

The Lead – Data Strategy plays a pivotal role within the Enterprise Data Office (EDO), driving the vision for a connected, mature, and insight-led data environment at UNSW.

In this strategic and highly influential position, you will spearhead the design and delivery of the University’s data strategy and operating model, ensuring data is governed effectively, accessible across the institution, and leveraged to enable evidence-based decision-making.

Working collaboratively across Faculties and Divisions, you will champion data maturity uplift, guide stakeholders through transformational change, and ensure alignment with UNSW’s federated analytics model. This role requires exceptional capability in organisational change, enterprise data governance, and senior stakeholder engagement to embed sustainable transformation across the University.

You will represent UNSW’s enterprise data interests, influence governance and risk processes, and play a key role in shaping the University’s long-term approach to data-driven outcomes.

This position reports to the Director – Data Transformation.

Accountabilities

• Provide institution-wide strategic leadership and technical guidance, working with Faculties and Divisions to co-develop the UNSW Data & Analytics Strategy and operating model.

• Lead the uplift of business readiness across UNSW to ensure successful adoption and long-term sustainability of enterprise transformation initiatives delivered by the EDO.

• Conduct needs analyses and readiness assessments to identify capability gaps, stakeholder preparedness, and opportunities for targeted uplift.

• Offer high-level advice to the Director – Data Management, senior stakeholders, and executive steering committees on change impacts, adoption pathways, and alignment with strategic priorities.

• Champion user-centric design and customer experience improvements across transformation programs.

• Design and implement adoption strategies to drive confidence and long-term utilisation of new systems, processes, and ways of working.

• Lead the design and enablement of future-state operating models that support ongoing transformation.

• Ensure alignment across transformation workstreams and UNSW’s broader data ecosystem, embedding seamless connections with enterprise platforms and minimising disruption to academic operations.

• Represent the data stream in governance forums, providing expert advice on data risk, architecture, operating models, and adoption strategies.

• Identify barriers to adoption and proactively develop mitigation strategies and risk assessments.

• Provide strategic leadership across cross-functional teams and senior stakeholders to ensure consistent execution of enterprise transformation objectives.

• Contribute to the development of lessons learned, standards, and playbooks for future UNSW enterprise programs.

• Demonstrate and promote UNSW’s Code of Conduct and Values.

• Ensure psychosocial and physical hazards and risks within your remit are identified and managed effectively.

Skills and Experience

• A relevant tertiary qualification with extensive experience, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and professional expertise.

• Significant experience developing and implementing data and analytics strategies within large, complex, or federated environments.

• Strong technical capability across enterprise data management, including data governance, metadata, lineage, data quality, and critical data element frameworks.

• Experience assessing current- and future-state data architectures, including federated and data-mesh approaches, with the ability to provide feasible and scalable recommendations.

• Advanced understanding of emerging data and AI governance practices, regulatory considerations, and integration of complex data sources.

• A track record of delivering high-impact solutions and initiatives to address complex organisational challenges.

• Proven ability to design and deliver engagement strategies for diverse stakeholder groups, including senior executives.

• Strong relationship-building skills, with the ability to influence across organisational boundaries.

• Strategic thinking capability supported by outstanding analytical and problem-solving skills.

• High-level communication, negotiation, and influencing skills.

• Experience providing oversight or assurance across large-scale transformation or ERP programs.

How To Apply

Please submit your CV and Cover Letter through the link in the advertisement. Applications close on Monday 22 December at 11:55pm.

Please note the University reserves the right to close any advertising early, or to not proceed with any appointment.