ABOUT UNIVERSITIES AUSTRALIA
Universities Australia (UA) is the national peak body collectively representing Australia’s 38 comprehensive universities. Its key role is to assist in securing, through policy development and political advocacy, a policy, regulatory, and funding environment that supports the maintenance of a world class university system.
UA also promotes the role of university education and research in underpinning national economic,
social, and cultural wellbeing. The organisation seeks to ensure that relevant policy discussion is as well informed as possible through the development and prosecution of whole-of-sector policy positions.
It provides representation to relevant committees, advisory groups and working parties, pursues and
implements agreements with international bodies that facilitate member engagement and builds
and executes issue specific campaigns.
Universities Australia assists its members by serving as a hub for the exchange of information,
ideas and learning across the sector.
THE ROLE
Universities Australia is building a stronger, more strategic approach to how data and evidence shape national higher education policy. This role exists to turn complex data into clear insight, strengthen sector-wide decision-making, and lead the development of Universities Australia’s organisation-wide data strategy.
This position will help shape national higher education policy by delivering rigorous analytics on university funding, student outcomes, research performance, economic contribution and workforce needs.
This is a high-impact role for someone who wants to sit at the intersection of data, policy, economic analysis and executive decision-making — with visibility across the university sector and influence at the highest levels.
Reporting to the Senior Director, Research & Innovation, and working closely with the Executive and Leadership Group, you will:
- Lead the design and implementation of UA’s data strategy, aligning data capability with organisational priorities
- Act as a trusted advisor to senior leaders, translating complex analysis into clear, decision-ready insights
- Shape how data is used across advocacy, public communications, and policy development
- Build stronger data governance, literacy, and analytical capability across the organisation
- Engage with senior stakeholders across government, universities, and the research community
You will be the person people come to when the question is “What does the data really tell us — and what should we do about it?”
This position would suit a policy professional looking to leave an indelible mark on Australia’s higher education policy landscape. We would welcome applications from those wishing to move into a not-for profit on a more permanent basis or those wishing to undertake a secondment with UA.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategic Data Leadership
- Design and deliver a whole-of-organisation data strategy, including:
- identifying data gaps and quality issues
- strengthening governance, security and analytical practices
- lifting organisational data literacy and capability
- Advise the Executive and Board on data-driven insights relevant to national higher education reform
Analysis, insight and storytelling
- Analyse large, complex datasets to support economic and policy analysis
- Track and interpret major Australian and international data releases
- Develop compelling data visualisations, dashboards and briefings
- Translate technical findings into clear narratives for non-technical audiences
Policy and sector engagement
- Contribute evidence and analysis to policy submissions, thought pieces, Board papers and sector briefings
- Support working groups as a subject-matter expert
- Collaborate across Strategy & Policy, Corporate and Public Affairs teams to ensure data strengthens advocacy and communications
CAPABILITIES AND SKILLS
Technical and analytical capability
- Advanced data analysis skills
- Experience working with large dataset and analytics tools such as Power BI,
- Tableau or similar
- Strong analytical judgement — you know which data matters and why
Strategic and communication skills
- Ability to synthesise complex information into policy-relevant insights
- Confidence explaining data to senior leaders and non-technical audiences
- Strong written capability across briefs, submissions and executive papers
Ways of working
- High degree of ownership and accountability
- Comfortable working across multiple priorities in a fast-moving policy environment
- Curious, adaptable, and motivated by impact rather than routine reporting
QUALIFICATIONS
- Tertiary qualifications in a relevant field (e.g. data science, economics, statistics, analytics or related discipline)
Knowledge of the Australian higher education system is advantageous but not required.
WHAT WE OFFER
- Competitive salary plus 17% super
- Flexible hybrid work model, including remote days and core-hours scheduling.
- Salary packaging options that can improve your take home pay
- Generous parental leave entitlements
- FREE annual flu vaccinations
- FREE parking
- Access to free guidance and counselling through our Employee Assistance Program
- A vibrant, inclusive culture
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Applicants are encouraged to apply.
TO APPLY
Please include your CV and a cover page (2 pages max.) which outlines your suitability for the role.
Applications close Monday 9th March 11:55pm.
Please email hr@uniaus.edu.au if you have any queries about the role.
