Employment Opportunity: University Secretary and EA to the Vice-Chancellor

• Fixed-term parental leave cover (September 2026 until December 2027)
• Full-time (1.0FTE)
• Box Hill, VIC

The University of Divinity seeks to recruit a University Secretary and EA to the Vice-Chancellor. This is a full-time (1.0FTE), fixed-term parental leave cover position, within the Office of the Vice-Chancellor, at the University’s main campus in Box Hill, Victoria. The ideal candidate would commence in early September 2026 (start date by negotiation). The role will conclude on Friday 18 December 2027.

We encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to apply.

About the University

The University of Divinity delivers education and research in theology, philosophy, spirituality, counselling, and a range of related areas, and for over one hundred years has prepared its graduates for ministry, leadership and community service.

The University is regularly ranked by students as the top University in Australia for student satisfaction and learner engagement, reflecting the high quality of its curriculum and the dedication of staff to working with small classes.

The University operates across Australia and works in partnership with its Colleges and Schools, over thirty churches, religious orders and associated organisations in a unique ecumenical enterprise.

The University’s purpose is to excel in education, engagement, and research in religious beliefs and spiritual practices and their contemporary application. The University’s aim is to enable our graduates and partners to serve the common good and to be agents of transformation in the world.

For more information, please see www.divinity.edu.au.

About the Office of the Vice-Chancellor

The Office of the Vice-Chancellor (OVC) provides shared services to the University’s staff and students and to the University’s Council, Academic Board, Schools and Colleges in the areas of finance, governance, information technology, operations, and student services. The OVC is located at St Paschal’s Estate, 90 Albion Road, Box Hill, Victoria.

Position Description

The University Secretary manages the administrative governance of the University, and provides robust governance services, promoting effective outcomes and providing administrative support to the Chancellor, Chair of the Academic Board and committee Chairs. The role also provides executive support to the Vice-Chancellor.

Responsibilities

• Establish and implement good governance practices aligned to regulatory and statutory standards and frameworks.
• Manage the administrative support for Council, the Academic Board, their committees and working groups, to deliver efficient processes and effective outcomes.
• Oversee the preparation, distribution and permanent record of agendas, meeting papers, minutes and action items for all University meetings in a timely and accurate manner.
• Manage the recording and publication of the University Gazette, Regulations, Schedules, Policies and Procedures on the University website.
• Manage the preparation and distribution of the University’s Annual Report to the Parliament of Victoria.
• Provide a high level of administrative support to the Vice-Chancellor, including diary and correspondence management.
• Act as the University’s Risk Officer, including:
  • receiving risk reports from University and College staff and triaging them appropriately
  • maintaining the Risk Register
  • producing reports for the Finance and Risk Committee and Council.
• Act as the University’s Freedom of Information Officer, including:
  • receiving and responding to FOI requests within the set timeframe
  • ensuring the Freedom of Information webpage is up to date
  • maintaining records and completing reports to Council and elsewhere annually.
• Act as the University’s Appeals Officer in accordance with the Appeals Policy, providing administrative support for appeals processes and liaising with appellants, the Panel Chair and Appeals Panel members.
• Act as the University’s Fair Treatment and Safeguarding Coordinator, providing administrative support for complaint processes in accordance with the Complaints Policy, and implementing other matters in relation to the Code of Conduct and associated policies.

Working relationships

The University Secretary and EA to the Vice-Chancellor:

• Reports to the Vice-Chancellor
• Is a member of the OVC Management Team
• Supports the Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor, Chair of the Academic Board, and members of University Committees

Selection Criteria

Essential

• Experience in a similar role.
• Competency and experience in the use of Microsoft Office and other relevant administrative systems and tools (e.g. Adobe Acrobat, WordPress, CRM).
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the capacity to express complex ideas and to prepare detailed reports in a concise and timely manner, with a high level of attention to detail.
• Extensive experience in providing executive level support.
• Demonstrated ability to establish strong working relationships with a wide range of colleagues and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with the highest degree of integrity.
• Demonstrated problem-solving ability.

Desirable

• Familiarity with higher education governance and administration.
• Familiarity with church and/or parachurch organisations.
• Relevant postgraduate qualifications.

Key performance indicators

KPIs will be negotiated with the successful candidate.

Terms and conditions

The position of University Secretary and EA to the Vice-Chancellor is a full-time (1.0FTE), fixed-term appointment, commencing in September 2026 and concluding on 18 December 2027, subject to completion of a six-month probationary period and satisfactory performance.

The position will be remunerated under the Higher Education Industry – General Staff award on the University’s salary scale at HEW 7.1 (Base Salary of $111,639.55, plus 12% superannuation and 17.5% annual leave loading).

How to apply

Closing date for applications: Monday 27th July 2026, 5:00pm AEST

Applications must include:

• A cover letter addressing the selection criteria
• A curriculum vitae
• Contact details for three referees

Send applications electronically to: Meg Nelson, Operations Manager | staffapplications@divinity.edu.au