About

COO role for the world-renowned Charles Perkins Centre Opportunity to contribute to solving some of the most important global issues Competitive Senior Professional Staff salary +17% Superannuation About the opportunity The University of Sydney’s Charles Perkins Centre (CPC) is a globally prestigious multidisciplinary initiative dedicated to tackling society’s greatest health challenges in diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease and other related conditions. We are seeking a highly experienced Chief Operating Officer to provide strategic and operational leadership, ensuring the delivery of CPC’s mission and the University’s broader strategic agenda. We are currently seeking to appoint an outstanding Chief Operating Officer for the Charles Perkins Centre. This will be a key leadership position and opportunity to oversee complex operations across key areas in workforce, finance, marketing, infrastructure, governance, and risk. All the while enabling collaborative, cross-disciplinary research that advances the University’s global research excellence and improves the student and community experience. The successful candidate will bring senior operational leadership to advance the Centre’s global reputation for innovation and excellence in research. This role is ideally suited to a dynamic leader with a passion for operational excellence and a strong commitment to mentoring and developing talent within a collaborative, high-performing environment. Why join us? 5-year Fixed Term Senior Professional Staff role with a competitive remuneration package Work at the globally prestigious Charles Perkins Centre, one of the University’s flagship multidisciplinary initiatives Lead strategy and operations in a complex, high-profile environment with significant domestic and global impact Contribute to world-class research excellence addressing grand societal challenges Join a collegial, supportive, and inclusive leadership team Your key responsibilities will be to: provide strategic and operational leadership to implement CPC’s operational plan in line with the CPC and University’s strategy oversee financial management, infrastructure, workforce planning, governance and risk for the Centre manage organisational design and ensure effective systems, policies, and compliance are in place support and enable multidisciplinary research collaborations across the University and with external partners lead and mentor professional staff, fostering a collaborative, high-performance, and supportive team culture represent CPC in engagement with senior University leaders, government, industry, and international partners About you We are looking for a highly collaborative leader with: extensive senior-level management experience in complex organisations strong business acumen, negotiation, and influencing skills, with the ability to navigate complexity and drive impactful outcomes. experience managing relationships with diverse stakeholders including academia, government, industry, and community demonstrated experience interacting with professional and academic staff within a research environment demonstrated success in staff leadership, workforce planning and building high-performing teams proven expertise in financial management, governance, infrastructure, and operational leadership project management skills 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 This is a fixed term full-time appointment for 5 years. 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. To keep our community safe, please be aware of our COVID safety precautions which form our conditions of entry for all staff, students and visitors coming to campus. 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 LGBTQIA+. We welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds. We are proud to be recognised as an Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI) Platinum 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. 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 Nicole Cunningham, Recruitment Partner, Recruitment Operations) by email nicole.cunningham@sydney.edu.au © The University of Sydney The University reserves the right not to proceed with any appointment. Click to view the Position Description for this role. Applications Close Sunday 05 October 2025 11:59 PM Our team is expanding, and we want to hire the most talented people we can. Continued success depends on it! So once you've had a chance to explore our current open positions, apply to the ones you feel suit you best and keep track of both your progress in the selection process, and new postings that might interest you! The University values are excellence, trust and accountability. The University of Sydney is committed to diversity and social inclusion. Applications from people of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds; equity target groups including women, people with disabilities, people who identify as LGBTIQ; and people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent, are encouraged. The University reserves the right not to proceed with any appointment. The University of Sydney may conduct routine pre-employment checks before an appointment is made. Want to know more about working at the University of Sydney? https://www.sydney.edu.au/about-us.html