Director, Operations and Infrastructure

Classification: Senior Manager 4
Salary package: Competitive salary package plus 17% superannuation
Terms: Full time, Fixed term (5 years)
Location: Canberra, ACT

The Position

The Director, Operations and Infrastructure is a senior executive leadership role within the Campus Environment Division, providing strategic direction and operational stewardship to deliver world‑class, safe, sustainable and inclusive campus environments that support teaching, research, student life and community engagement, and uphold the University’s mission of enduring significance.

Reporting at a senior level, the Director leads a large, diverse and highly technical portfolio encompassing building maintenance and operations, capital works planning and delivery, procurement and contracts, security and safety, and gardens and grounds. The role is responsible for ensuring that campus infrastructure and services are resilient, future‑focused, financially sustainable and aligned with the University’s long‑term strategy.

The Director plays a critical role in shaping and implementing long‑term operational and infrastructure strategies, translating institutional priorities into practical, high‑impact outcomes. Working in close partnership with academic and professional leaders, the role ensures services are delivered efficiently, safely and consistently, while maintaining a strong customer service focus for students, staff and external stakeholders.

A key focus of the position is evidence‑based decision‑making, using data, benchmarking and performance insights to optimise operations, manage risk, prioritise investment, and continuously improve service delivery. The Director provides expert advice to senior executives and governance bodies, contributes to enterprise‑wide planning, and leads complex change initiatives in a dynamic and evolving higher education environment.

The Person

You are a strategic, forward‑thinking and highly credible leader with substantial experience leading complex operations and infrastructure portfolios within a large, multifaceted organisation—ideally in the university, public sector or similarly complex environment. You demonstrate a strong track record of long‑term strategic planning, integrating operational excellence with financial sustainability, safety, compliance and environmental responsibility.

You are highly skilled in budget management, cost control and resource optimisation, using data, analytics and evidence‑based frameworks to inform decisions and deliver value. You are comfortable navigating competing priorities, managing risk, and making sound, transparent decisions that align with organisational goals and regulatory requirements.

An accomplished people leader, you bring confidence and empathy in leading large, diverse and multidisciplinary teams, particularly through periods of change and transformation. You foster collaboration, accountability and professional growth, building strong, trusted relationships across all levels of the organisation and with external partners.

You are recognised for your outstanding communication and stakeholder engagement skills, able to translate complex operational and technical issues into clear, compelling advice for senior leaders, committees and broader audiences. With a strong customer‑centric mindset, you champion high‑quality service delivery, continuous improvement and responsive, solutions‑focused engagement.

You value inclusion, teamwork and a positive workplace culture. You lead with integrity, model respectful and ethical behaviour, and are deeply committed to health, safety and wellbeing. You create an environment where people feel supported, valued and empowered to perform at their best, ensuring the organisation and its community thrive together now and into the future.

For further information please contact, Chief Campus Environment Officer - Jeremy Matthew,

E: jeremy.matthew@anu.edu.au

P: 0436 838 250

The University actively encourages applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. For more information on employment opportunities, contact our Indigenous Employment Consultant on indigenous.employment@anu.edu.au 

ANU values diversity and inclusion and is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to people of all backgrounds and identities.  For more information about staff equity at ANU, click here. For enquiries about the application process, or if you require reasonable adjustment to apply for this role, please contact the hiring manager on the above listed details.

Application information

In order to apply for this role please make sure that you upload the following documents:

• A statement addressing the selection criteria.
• A current curriculum vitae (CV) which includes the names and contact details of at least three referees (preferably including a current or previous supervisor). If your CV does not include referees you can complete these online when prompted in the application form.
• Other documents, if required.

Applications which do not address the selection criteria may not be considered for the position.

Please note: The successful candidate must have rights to live and work in Australia and will be required to undergo a background check during the recruitment process. An offer of employment is conditional on satisfactory results.