Associate Director – Accessibility & Inclusion

About the Role:

An exciting opportunity exists to join the University of Melbourne to lead the University’s strategic approach to accessibility and inclusion. Working closely with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders to deliver on the University’s ambition for both students and staff, you will lead the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of its Disability Inclusion Action Plan.   

As a key member of the University’s Diversity and Inclusion leadership team you will also collaborate to influence and support the strategic direction, management and integration of a broad range of equity, diversity and inclusion priorities related to the University’s Diversity and Inclusion Strategy 2030 and their integration with the suite of strategic priorities within the Office of the Provost.  

For a more detailed outline of the scope and responsibilities of this role please refer to the attached Position Description. 

About  your New Team

The Office of the Provost leads a dynamic portfolio of work that supports the vision and objectives of our institutional strategy – Advancing Melbourne 2030 related to ‘people and community’, ‘teaching and learning’, and academic performance. These include:  

• Indigenous strategy, including research, education and engagement, student and staff planning, truth-telling and cultural heritage.    

• People and Community, including Diversity and Inclusion, Human Resources, academic and professional staff careers, and University community-building. 

• Education and student experience, including curriculum, teaching and learning quality and innovation, learning technologies and spaces, student well-being and engagement and widening participation for students from diverse backgrounds.    

This role requires current valid working rights for Australia. 

About You:

You are a dynamic leader, with a strong blend of qualifications and experience. As an experienced strategic leader of organisation-wide change you will bring expertise in equity, diversity, and inclusion, particularly in inclusion and accessibility of people with disability.  

Your collaborative leadership style is highly regarded and is central to your strong track record in the development, implementation, and evaluation of D&I initiatives in complex organisational settings. You leverage your excellent strategic thinking and problem-solving skills to navigate complex issues and identify beneficial and practical solutions.  

Your outstanding communication skills, sensitivity and judgment will be crucial in providing expert advice and fostering the relationships that support transformative change. With high standards of integrity and professionalism you will work within a dynamic team and portfolio, led by the University’s Provost, to ensure quality outcomes for the University community. 

To ensure the University continues to provide a safe environment for everyone, this position requires the incumbent to hold a current and valid Working with Children Check.    

About the University of Melbourne

We’re tightly connected with the community, both at home and abroad. We take pride in our people, who all contribute to our mission to benefit society through the transformative impact of education and research. Discover more via our website.

Benefits of Working with Us

In addition to having the opportunity to grow and be challenged, and to be part of a vibrant campus life, our people enjoy a range of rewarding benefits. To find out more, visit  https://about.unimelb.edu.au/careers/staff-benefits. 

Be Yourself

We value the unique backgrounds, experiences, and contributions that each person brings to our community. For more information, please visit our Diversity and Inclusion page. 

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Applicants

We aspire to be the University of choice for Indigenous Australians, with unprecedented investment to attract, nurture and retain Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and staff. Tangible support through a range of programs and initiatives will ensure that you personally succeed and flourish while at the University of Melbourne. 

For further information, including our 2023-2027 Indigenous strategy please visit –https://about.unimelb.edu.au/reconciliation/murmuk-djerring 

Recruitment Adjustments

We are dedicated to ensuring an inclusive recruitment process and any subsequent employment. If you require adjustments to facilitate your participation at this application stage, please contact us at [email protected], with an email titled “Recruitment Process Adjustments Request”. If you are invited to an interview, the hiring manager will be in touch to support any adjustments you may require.  

Join Us!

If you feel this role is right for you, please submit your application including: 

• Your resume 

• A cover letter of no more than 3 pages that: 

• outlines your interest in this role 

• Addresses the following three (3) selection criteria as listed in the position description  

1. Subject matter expertise in disability inclusion and EDI – Significant subject matter expertise in EDI, and disability inclusion and accessibility, that includes current knowledge of legislation and of leading practice in the higher education, government and/or corporate sectors.
2. Strategic leadership in EDI development and implementation – Demonstrated leadership skills and experience in leading the development, implementation and evaluation of a range of D&I programs and initiatives in a large and complex organisation.
3. Collaboration and stakeholder engagement – Sophisticated ability to engage and collaborate with diverse stakeholders across the organisation, and to work collegially and through influence to build constructive relationships at all levels of the organisation to deliver program goals.

For information to help you with compiling short statements to answer the selection criteria and competencies, please go to Selection criteria (unimelb.edu.au).  

NOTE: Internal/ Existing employees are strongly encouraged to speak with their current people leaders prior to submitting your application.   

If you have any questions regarding the recruitment process, please feel free to email us at [email protected] using the subject line: Associate Director – Accessibility & Inclusion enquiry via EthicalJobs and include the Position Number and the Job Title as the subject. Please do not submit your application via this email.