Job no: 543984
Work type: Full Time
Location: Sydney, NSW
Categories: Governance, Policy & Compliance
- Employment Type: Full time (35 hours per week)
- Duration: Continuing
- Remuneration: Senior role, competitive total package
- Location: Kensington, NSW (on-campus role, hybrid work arrangement)
About UNSW
UNSW isn't like other places you've worked. Yes, we're a large organisation with a diverse and talented community; a community doing extraordinary things. Together, we are driven to be thoughtful, practical, and purposeful in all we do. Taking this combined approach is what makes our work matter.
Why your role matters
The Head of Public Interest Disclosures plays a critical leadership role in ensuring that people can speak up about serious wrongdoing and trust their concerns will be heard and acted on appropriately.
Leading a small dedicated specialist investigations team, you will oversee and advise on some of the most serious integrity matters including alleged corrupt conduct (including fraud), maladministration, serious waste of funds. At its heart, you will act as the University's subject matter expert on the Public Interest Disclosures Act 2022 (NSW), oversee high-profile investigations, drive continuous improvement, and help strengthen a culture of ethical decision-making across the University.
The role reports to the Director, Conduct & Integrity to oversee our investigative approach and address systemic risks and integrity concerns.
Responsibilities
Core responsibilities for the role include:
- Leading a specialist team responsible for conducting complex and sensitive investigations.
- Overseeing all stages of investigations, including complaint assessment, evidence gathering, forensic analysis, witness interviews, risk management, and report preparation.
- Interpreting and applying complex legislation, policies, and regulatory frameworks to ensure compliance with legal and governance obligations.
- Providing strategic and evidence-based advice to senior leaders on complex matters, including risk mitigation and corrective action.
- Preparing and overseeing confidential reports, briefings, and recommendations for senior University committees, executive leadership, and external regulatory bodies.
- Maintaining the University's Serious Wrongdoing Prevention Framework, Public Interest Disclosures (Whistleblowing) Policy and related governance frameworks.
Skills and Experience
As an experienced investigations and integrity leader, you'll bring extensive expertise in managing high-risk matters. You'll combine technical excellence in investigations with strong leadership capability, exceptional judgement and the ability to influence and advise at the most senior levels to ensure a people-focused approach to conduct and integrity matters.
- Relevant tertiary qualifications and substantial experience gained through investigation, integrity, compliance, audit, regulatory, legal, or similar functions.
- Certificate IV in Government Investigations; training in trauma-informed investigations will be highly regarded.
- Proven experience leading and developing high-performing specialist investigation teams.
- Extensive experience managing and investigating public interest disclosures, whistleblower matters, serious misconduct, gendered violence matters, or other complex investigations in large and complex organisations.
- Substantial expertise in planning and conducting investigations and making findings based on fair and objective assessment of evidence.
- Expert knowledge of procedural fairness and relevant legislative frameworks, including the Public Interest Disclosures Act 2022 (NSW), ICAC Act, Ombudsman Act, and associated governance principles.
Further details of the responsibilities and skills and experience can be found in the Position Description available on JOBS@UNSW.
To Apply
Through the job portal, please submit the below as part of your application:
- Your CV
- A cover letter outlining your interest, and how your skills and experience aligns with the scope of the role.
Applications sent directly to the contact below will not be considered.
Please note: Sponsorship is not available for this role; valid Australian working rights are required on application.
The closing date for applications is 11:55pm on Thursday 12 November 2026, 11:55PM
Job Queries: Katherine Molloy, Talent Acquisition Partner, for any recruitment-related enquiries
katherine.molloy@unsw.edu.au
Please apply directly through the website, applications sent to the contact above will not be accepted.
Benefits and Culture
People are at the core of everything we do. We recognise it is the contributions of our staff who make UNSW one of the best universities in Australia and the world. Our benefits include:
- Flexible working options
- Career development and leadership opportunities
- 17% flexible superannuation contributions and additional leave loading payments
- Additional leave over the Christmas period
- Discounts and entitlements across retail, education, and fitness providers
For further details on the benefits, please visit https://www.jobs.unsw.edu.au/lifestyle-benefits
Pre-Employment Checks
As part of our recruitment process, candidates may be required to undergo pre-employment screening, including qualification verification, reference checks, right-to-work verification, and criminal history screening where relevant to the role.
UNSW is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion. Applications from women, people of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, those living with disability, members of the LGBTIQ+ community, and people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent are encouraged. UNSW provides workplace adjustments for people with disability and access to flexible work options for eligible staff.
Advertised: 29 Oct 2026 AUS Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: 12 Nov 2026 AUS Eastern Daylight Time
