Deputy Director- National Centre of Excellence in Intellectual Disability Health
Employment Type: Full Time/ Part Time, 0.6 – 1.0 FTE
Duration: Fixed Term; until 30 June 2027 with a possibility of extension
Remuneration: Academic Level D; $185K- $204K pro rata based on experience + 17% Super+ Annual Leave Loading
Location: Kensington, New South Wales; Flexible for the right candidate
Visa sponsorship: Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. Candidates must hold unrestricted work rights to be considered for this position.
UNSW is one of the top 20 universities globally (QS rankings 2026); teaching and research institutions, driven by our new strategy, Progress for All. As UNSW sets its sights towards its 100-year anniversary, our mission and ambition is to establish UNSW as Australia’s global university. UNSW Medicine & Health is an international leader in learning, teaching and research, co-located with several of Australia’s finest hospitals, medical research institutes and health care organisations. It is an exciting time to be joining the Faculty with our ambition new Strategy, Progress in Health for all, and the Health Translation Hub opening in November 2025.
National Centre of Excellence in Intellectual Disability Health is a significant national initiative dedicated to improving the health of people with intellectual disability. The Centre brings together leading experts, resources, and research to inform best practice, drive innovation, and support equitable access to quality health services.
Why This Role Matters
The Deputy Director plays a critical leadership role within the National Centre of Excellence in Intellectual Disability Health, working closely with the Centre Director, Chief Operating Officer (COO), and Consortium leadership to deliver the Centre’s strategic objectives. This is a research-focused leadership position with an applied and translational emphasis, well suited to someone who has worked across academic, policy, and service delivery settings and is comfortable engaging directly with the sector. The Deputy Director provides strategic and academic leadership across the Centre’s national programs and initiatives, ensuring they reflect the Centre’s values of inclusion, evidence, and lived experience.
The role includes leading key research and translation initiatives, managing a team of 3–5 direct reports, and contributing to the Centre’s strategic planning, partnerships, and external engagement. A member of the Centre’s Leadership Group, the Deputy Director oversees the integration of research, capability building and operational functions, leads major collaborations and funding initiatives, and contributes to UNSW’s academic mission through impactful research, HDR supervision and sector-focused scholarship. The role also represents the Centre nationally and internationally and may act as delegate for the Centre Director when required.
Skills Required

A PhD or equivalent distinguished experience in public health, disability, health services, social sciences, or fields important to the Centre.
Demonstrated leadership experience, including managing teams and driving outcomes in complex stakeholder environments, or successful track record of liaisons between industry or government and the higher education sector.
Significant track record in research leadership with outcomes of high quality and high international impact with clear evidence of the desire and ability to continually achieve research excellence and deliver research leadership.
Demonstrated academic excellence and outstanding contribution to research and scholarship.
Demonstrated leadership in building engagement and partnerships with the profession and industry.
Experience in successfully recruiting and supervising high calibre students.
Strong understanding of equity, inclusion, and co-production principles, particularly in working alongside people with disability, First Nations people, or marginalised communities.
High-level communication, collaboration and interpersonal skills.
Ability to work strategically and pragmatically in a fast-paced, evolving Centre environment.
Ability to contribute to the strategic vision for the Centre on issues relevant to the Centre's research portfolio and manage change to achieve the vision.
Demonstrated capacity for strong, proactive and energetic leadership with ability to motivate high performance from diverse groups of people across the Centre.
Demonstrated outstanding communication and interpersonal skills including the ability to encourage staff to achieve their best and to have difficult conversations where necessary.
Demonstrated ability to foster a strong sense of equity, fairness and ethics to ensure a safe, diverse and respectful working environment which supports productivity and the development of staff.
An understanding of and commitment to UNSW’s aims, objectives and values in action, together with relevant policies and guidelines.
Knowledge of health and safety responsibilities and commitment to attending relevant health and safety training.

Pre-employment Checks Required

NSW Working with Children Check or the willingness to obtain one
Criminal Records Check
Qualifications check

Benefits And Culture

17% Superannuation and leave loading
Additional 3 days of leave over the Christmas Period
Access to lifelong learning and career development
Progressive HR practices

How To Apply
Please click Apply now to submit your application online. Applications submitted via email will not be accepted. Please provide a resume and a cover letter addressing the selection criteria and interest in the role. To view the full position description, please click on the Position Description link below.
Contact: Aarti, Talent Acquisition Associate, a.aarti@unsw.edu.au
Applications close: Sunday 2nd November before 11:30 pm
UNSW is committed to evolving a culture that embraces equity and supports a diverse and inclusive community where everyone can participate fairly, in a safe and respectful environment. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds and encourage applications from people of diverse gender, sexual orientation, cultural and linguistic backgrounds, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander background, people with disability and those with caring and family responsibilities. UNSW provides workplace adjustments for people with disability, and access to flexible work options for eligible staff.
The University reserves the right not to proceed with any appointment.

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