* 0.5 part-time senior appointment for 5 years
* Executive remuneration package
* Toowoomba, Springfield or Ipswich campus
Are you ready to lead with integrity and make a lasting impact on student experience across one of Australia's most progressive regional universities?
The University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ) is seeking a highly experienced and principled Student Ombudsperson to serve as an independent and impartial advocate for fairness in student-related matters. This senior appointment plays a critical role in ensuring equitable treatment of students in the resolution of academic and administrative grievances, while fostering a culture of transparency, respect, and continuous improvement.
Operating with a high degree of autonomy and reporting directly to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Students and Education), you will have direct access to senior leadership and the authority to influence university-wide policy and practice. This is a rare opportunity to shape the student experience at a strategic level, while maintaining a strong connection to the individual voices and concerns of UniSQ's diverse student body.
Why join us?
* Lead with integrity: Be the University's impartial voice for fairness, equity, and procedural justice in student matters.
* Influence at scale: Work closely with senior leaders to shape policies and practices that improve student outcomes and reduce formal grievances.
* Drive systemic change: Identify trends, deliver strategic insights, and lead initiatives that enhance the quality of teaching, learning, and student services.
* Empower diverse communities: Ensure students from all backgrounds can access confidential, independent support and resolution pathways.
What you'll bring
* Leadership experience in higher education, ideally at Senior Lecturer level or equivalent professional appointment.
* Deep knowledge of university policies, procedures, and governance frameworks related to student administration and academic matters.
* Exceptional negotiation, conflict resolution, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to manage sensitive and complex issues with discretion and professionalism.
* Proven ability to prepare high-level reports and recommendations that influence institutional change.
* A reputation for impartiality, fairness, and integrity, with a strong understanding of procedural fairness and the role of an Ombudsperson.
* Familiarity with postgraduate research supervision processes and relevant legislation including the Higher Education Standards Framework, ESOS Act, and Human Rights Act (Qld).
What you'll be doing
* Lead the continuous improvement of UniSQ's student grievance resolution framework.
* Provide confidential, impartial advice to students and staff navigating complex policy and procedural issues.
* Mediate and investigate student complaints and grievances, ensuring fair and timely resolution.
* Deliver outreach, education, and training to build staff capability in grievance handling and policy application.
* Advise senior leadership on systemic issues and strategies to reduce formal grievances.
* Represent UniSQ in external engagements with the Queensland Ombudsman and National Student Ombudsman.
This is your opportunity to be a trusted voice for students and a strategic partner in shaping a fair and responsive university environment.
Join UniSQ in championing respect, integrity, and excellence – for every student, every time.
For further information about this role, please contact Professor Lorelle Burton, Dean (Students), via email .
The University offers a range of different ways of working and connecting across our physical and virtual spaces to meet the needs of our students, partners and community. We value diversity and strive to foster an inclusive environment that is underpinned by our values and champions, embraces and respects differences.
We support and encourage applications from First Nations peoples and all diversity groups. With an increasingly diverse workforce, we understand that careers may be placed on hold or limited throughout many life circumstances.
Find out more about UniSQ at
Reference Number: 0145_10/25
Location: Toowoomba, Springfield or Ipswich campus
Term: 0.5 part-time senior appointment for 5 years (19 hours per week)
Salary: Executive remuneration package
Closes: Friday, 6 February 2026 @ 11.30pm (AEST)
At UniSQ we are united by our core values of Respect, Integrity and Excellence, which guide our daily actions and decision-making. UniSQ is a child safe organisation.
As part of the University of Southern Queensland's commitment to fostering a safe, respectful and rewarding work environment and in compliance with our legal obligations, we require candidates to declare whether they have been investigated for an allegation of Gender Based Violence, or determined to have engaged in conduct that constitutes Gender Based Violence, during the course of their previous employment or in any legal process.
This information helps us meet our legal obligations under the National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender Based Violence, and will be considered when determining a candidate's suitability for employment, so that we can keep our University community safe.
If you know that this role is right for you, please submit your current resume together with a two-page (maximum) statement, outlining your skills and experience relative to 'Expectations' in the position description.
For more information on our selection process please refer to your recruitment journey available on our website.