Executive Officer, Office of the Vice-Chancellor

Position Details 

• Continuing | Full-Time

• Higher Education Officer Level 8 | $116,349 - $128,806

• Location: Bedford Park / Kaurna Country

• View Position Description

The position is advertised at HEO8 level; however, this may be negotiable based on skills and experience.

About the Role 

This is a unique opportunity to work at the centre of Flinders University, supporting the Office of the Vice-Chancellor and contributing directly to the University’s governance, strategic priorities and institutional decision-making.

Working closely with the Chief of Staff, you will partner with senior leaders across the University to help deliver outcomes that shape the future of Flinders. You will coordinate executive reporting, prepare high-quality briefings, presentations and correspondence, and support governance processes that underpin institutional planning and decision-making.

Acting as a trusted connection between executive leaders, governing committees and external stakeholders, you will exercise sound judgement, discretion and initiative to navigate complex issues, coordinate competing priorities and deliver practical outcomes. No two days are the same. From supporting Senior Executive Team meetings to coordinating strategic initiatives and responding to emerging priorities, you will play a critical role in ensuring the Office of the Vice-Chancellor operates effectively and professionally.

Reporting to the Chief of Staff, you will also provide leadership to the Office of the Vice-Chancellor’s administrative team, fostering a collaborative, high-performing culture while driving continuous improvement, efficient business operations and exceptional stakeholder service.

About You 

You are a highly organised and experienced professional who thrives in environments where judgement, discretion and initiative are essential. You enjoy bringing order to complexity, building trusted relationships with senior leaders, and delivering work of an exceptional standard. Comfortable operating at pace, you anticipate issues before they arise and take pride in enabling executive leaders to perform at their best.

To be successful in this role, you will bring:

• Demonstrated success providing executive and governance support within a complex organisation, including preparing high-quality reports, committee papers, briefings, presentations and correspondence that inform executive decision-making.

• Proven ability to manage complex projects and competing priorities, exercising sound judgement, initiative and problem-solving skills to deliver outcomes within tight timeframes.

• Outstanding communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships, influence outcomes and coordinate responses across senior leaders and external organisations.

• Demonstrated leadership capability, including experience leading administrative teams, improving process processes and fostering a responsive, high-performing service culture.

Experience within the higher education sector or a similarly complex organisation will be highly regarded.

This role offers exceptional exposure to executive leadership, governance and strategic decision-making, making it an outstanding opportunity for an experienced Executive Officer seeking to broaden their organisational impact.

Life at Flinders  

They say know your place.  We say you've found it right here. 

Flinders University was founded on the belief that learning should open minds, celebrate individuality and give people the freedom to pursue their own point of view. That spirit lives on in our community of thinkers, doers and changemakers who challenge convention, and each other, to shape what comes next. 

Rising to a challenge is nothing new for Flinders. During our first 60 years, we’ve navigated revolutionary changes in social and cultural norms, and have responded to transformative economic, environmental and technological developments. Through it all, we’ve continued to deliver for our students and community, innovating in learning and research to prepare graduates for the changing world they help create. 

Reaching beyond the limits of buildings, borders, and backgrounds, ours is an inclusive culture that believes absolutely in equality and opportunity for all. We don't just accommodate differences; we embrace and celebrate them.  

So, why work at Flinders? 

• 17% Superannuation + salary packaging options  

• Flexible working arrangements  

• Awarded the AHEIA Higher Education Award for Workplace Culture Excellence due to our commitment to wellbeing through our Thriving@Flinders staff wellbeing program 

• Wide range of professional development activities and services, including exclusive staff study offers   

• We embrace diversity and promote equity and inclusion for all students and staff, as shown through our three SAGE Cygnet Awards.  

• Vibrant campus life and amenities including on campus health care services, gym and childcare centre (Bedford Park, South Australia).  

• Recognised as a Veteran Employer of Choice   

Our Commitment to Reconciliation and Indigenous Employment  

Flinders University is proud to be an organisation that is committed to our Reconciliation Action Plan and Indigenous Workforce Strategy. Our vision is to be a preferred employer for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.  We are committed to progressing Indigenous advancement in education, research, employment, and wellbeing, and strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples for all Flinders vacancies.  

• Please see here for our Reconciliation Action Plan   

• Please see here for our Indigenous Workforce Strategy   

Prescribed Conditions for Employment
 

Appointment to this role is conditional on the completion of required pre-employment checks and declarations, each of which must be satisfactory to the University. This includes a current completed Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check and Gender Based Violence Declaration which is satisfactory to the University. The contract of Employment is conditional upon the receipt of these completed compliance checks. A disclosable outcome will not automatically disqualify a candidate from consideration. Each case will be assessed on its individual merits and relevance to the inherent requirements of the role. 

How to Apply and Information 

• Please submit a Cover Letter of no more than three pages addressing each of the Key Position Capabilities listed in the Position Description

• For more information regarding this position, please contact Jayne Flaherty

Certification

Applications to be submitted before 10.00pm:

At Flinders we embrace and celebrate diversity and encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and people of all ages, ethnicities, abilities, sexual orientations, and gender identities.

Flinders. Fearless.