Academic Registrar and Director, Student Administration

• Provide strategic and student-centred leadership across the student lifecycle at Australia's leading Catholic university
• Full-time, fixed-term (5 year) appointment
• Based at ACU's North Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane campus.

About ACU:

As one of the top ten Catholic universities worldwide, ACU is clear about its Catholic identity and mission within the Catholic intellectual tradition. Central to this is ACU's commitment to truly student-centred education; research that is impactful, engaging, and responsive to society's rapidly changing needs; and a strong, vibrant, and sustainable university culture.

ACU is a young university making a significant impact. Ranked in the top 100 young universities globally and a leader in employability with 95 per cent of graduates employed. The university has seven campuses across Australia, with its global reach complemented by ACU Online, more than 200 partner universities, and its campus in Rome, Italy.

About the Position:

The Academic Registrar and Director, Student Administration is a key member of the university's executive team. The role is vital to the smooth operation of the institution, working closely with faculty staff and students. It ensures that all academic processes are fair and efficient, and that students have a positive and successful experience.

Reporting to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education), the Academic Registrar provides strategic leadership to the Student Administration Directorate. The Directorate comprises three divisions, each led by an Associate Director: Administrative Services; Enrolment, Progression and Completion; and Student Systems. The Academic Registrar and Director, Student Administration oversees core administrative functions across the student administrative lifecycle. These include admission, enrolment, academic progression and student fees, scholarships, conferral and graduations, examinations and results. The role also carries student appeals and complaints management, student enquiry management, and student and course related policy formulation and compliance.

Supporting the university's academic decision-making processes through academic policy formulation, the Academic Registrar and Director, Student Administration provides operational support for student and academic-related administrative matters and delivers process improvement initiatives that enhance the student and staff user experience. The role also ensures compliance with the Higher Education Standards Framework and other relevant legislation and represents the university externally, including with Tertiary Admission Centres and with Academic Registrars of other Australian universities.

The Successful Candidate:

The successful candidate will bring:

• Relevant postgraduate qualifications and significant experience in higher education student administration or a related field
• Prior experience working within the tertiary sector and managing relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders
• Demonstrated management, leadership and financial management experience
• High level analytical skills, with the ability to analyse issues and identify courses of action at both a strategic and operational level
• Demonstrated high level skills in staff leadership and motivation, including the development of a student-centred culture
• The ability to effectively liaise, negotiate and develop networks within and outside the university
• Demonstrated ability to bring strategic and innovative thinking to the development of student administration
• Significant experience delivering and managing projects.

Most importantly, the new Academic Registrar will demonstrate a genuine commitment to ACU's mission and values, connecting this leadership role to the university's Catholic identity and intellectual tradition. Devereaux Consulting is supporting ACU with the search for the university's next Academic Registrar and Director, Student Administration. 

For a confidential conversation or to request further information, please contact Dr Jackie Besley, Managing Partner, Devereaux Consulting on +61 413 633 195 or email AcademicRegistrar@devereauxconsulting.com. 

The closing date for applications is Monday 5 October 2026.

ACU is not accepting candidate applications through this recruitment portal.

Learn more about Athena Swan

Provide strategic and student-centred leadership across the student lifecycle - Brisbane, North Sydney or Melbourne based.