Head of Data

About the opportunity

This is a rare opportunity to lead and shape the enterprise data capability at the University of Sydney, where data underpins every strategic decision across the organisation.

As Head of Data, you will define and deliver the university’s data strategy, driving a step-change from traditional reporting toward a modern, AI-enabled data ecosystem. You will oversee data architecture, warehousing, and governance, ensuring the organisation can access trusted, high-quality data to inform decision-making at every level.

Working at the centre of a major digital transformation agenda, you will partner closely with ICT, digital, and business leaders to balance demand, prioritise initiatives, and deliver scalable solutions. You will play a critical role in establishing robust governance frameworks in a greenfield environment and enabling a shift toward self-service analytics and advanced insights.

Leading a team of senior managers and specialists, you will uplift capability, navigate a contractor-heavy environment, and build a sustainable, high-performing function aligned to enterprise needs.

This is a high-impact leadership role with significant visibility, where your work will directly influence the university’s strategic direction and long-term success.

About you (skills, capabilities and experience)

You are an experienced and pragmatic data leader who combines strategic vision with strong stakeholder influence.

You bring:

• Extensive experience in senior data leadership roles, leading enterprise-scale data functions

• A proven track record delivering data platform, governance, and transformation initiatives within complex organisations

• Deep understanding of modern data architectures, including cloud platforms and technologies such as Snowflake

• Experience working in mature data environments (e.g. financial services or similarly regulated industries) and applying those practices in evolving contexts

• Strong ability to translate business demand into prioritised delivery, balancing capacity, value, and risk across competing needs

• Exceptional stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence, challenge, and build trusted partnerships across technology and business teams

• Demonstrated leadership of multi-layered teams, including senior leaders and specialist functions, with a focus on capability uplift and performance

• High levels of resilience, sound judgement, and the confidence to make difficult decisions, including managing expectations and setting boundaries where required

• You are not required to be the deepest technical expert but bring a strong understanding of emerging trends, including AI, and the ability to guide your organisation through ongoing change.

Sponsorship / work rights for Australia

Work Rights: you must have unrestricted work rights in Australia for the duration of this employment to apply. Visa sponsorship is not available for this appointment.

Term and remuneration

The role is being offered on a continuing basis at 1FTE. The successful candidate will be offered a competitive remuneration package commensurate with the responsibilities of the position and the candidate’s relevant experience and qualifications.

Pre-employment checks

Your employment is conditional upon the completion of all role required pre-employment or background checks in terms satisfactory to the University. Similarly, your ongoing employment is conditional upon the satisfactory maintenance of all relevant clearances and background check requirements. If you do not meet these conditions, the University may take any necessary step, including the termination of your employment.

EEO statement

At the University of Sydney, our shared values are trust, accountability and excellence and we strive to be a place where everyone can thrive. We are committed to creating a University community that thrives through diversity and reflects the wider community that we serve. We deliver on this through our commitment to diversity and inclusion, evidenced by our people and culture programs, as well as key strategies to increase participation and support the careers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, women, people living with a disability, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and those who identify as LGBTIQ+. We welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds.

We are proud to be recognised as an Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI) Gold employer. Find out more about our work on diversity and inclusion.

How to apply

Applications (including a CV and cover letter outlining how your skills, capabilities and experience meet the requirements for the role) can be submitted via the Apply button at the top of the page. Please refer to the position description for further details.

Click to view the Position Description for this role.

For employees of the University or contingent workers, please login into your Workday account and navigate to the Career icon on your Dashboard.  Click on USYD Find Jobs and apply.

For a confidential discussion about the role, or if you require reasonable adjustment or any documents in alternate formats, please contact Pam Price (Senior Manager, Senior Talent Acquisition, Recruitment Operations) on email [email protected]

© The University of Sydney

The University reserves the right not to proceed with any appointment.

Applications Close

Tuesday 26 May 2026 11:59 PM