Senior Lead, Decision Modelling and Advisory

This Senior Lead, Decision Modelling and Advisory role at UNSW focuses on designing, governing, and evolving institutional performance frameworks and end-to-end modelling capabilities. Responsibilities include leading model development, overseeing resource allocation frameworks, and providing evidence-based advisory support to senior leaders. Key requirements are substantial experience in institutional modelling and forecasting, strong analytical and stakeholder management skills, and advanced technical expertise in data analysis and modelling tools.

• The successful applicant will be required to undertake and have experience in the following areas of expertise:
• UNSW Planning and Performance (UPP) builds capability in business intelligence, student load forecasting, and data-driven performance as a trusted strategic partner to university leaders.
• Moving beyond traditional KPI reporting, the Senior Lead, Decision Modelling and Advisory drives the design, governance, and evolution of institutional performance frameworks and end-to-end modelling capabilities.
• This role brings together multi-system quantitative and qualitative data, transposing it into well-structured decision-support tools and practical, action-oriented insights to inform strategic planning and operational trade-offs across the institution.
• Working closely with executive, academic, and professional stakeholders, the position combines strong technical modelling with an advisory focus to influence executive decision-making.
• Reporting to the Head, Planning and Performance (with 0–2 direct reports), the ideal candidate combines expertise in quantitative methods (finance, analytics, consultancy) with a business partnering background and an innovative mindset, challenging established ways of working to continuously improve processes, benchmarking, and the university's overall strategic performance.
• Lead the design, development and continuous improvement of institutional models, including product viability, forecasting, statistical analysis and scenario planning.
• Oversee University-wide resource allocation and performance frameworks, establishing clear methodologies, measures, targets and decision-making principles.
• Monitor and refine University KPIs and performance metrics, leveraging strategic priorities, sector trends and benchmarking to evaluate progress and risks.
• Provide evidence-based advisory support to senior leaders on competitive positioning, trade-offs and growth opportunities to drive institutional performance.
• Translate complex quantitative and qualitative data into clear executive insights, reporting and practical decision-support materials.
• Build trusted partnerships with academic and professional stakeholders to support the effective adoption of models, frameworks and analytical practices.
• Establish quality assurance standards and governance processes to ensure the integrity of models, while upskilling team and university-wide decision-support capabilities.

• Substantial experience designing, developing and governing complex institutional models, forecasting frameworks and resource allocation methodologies within large, complex organisations.
• Highly developed analytical, problem-solving and critical thinking skills, with a proven ability to structure ambiguous qualitative and quantitative data into clear, actionable executive insights.
• Exceptional communication and stakeholder management capabilities, with demonstrated success in influencing senior leaders, driving strategic outcomes and building analytical capability across teams.
• Advanced technical expertise in data analysis and modelling using tools such as Databricks, Excel, Power Pivot and Power BI, alongside working knowledge of SQL, Python or DAX.
• Proven project management experience managing concurrent initiatives, re-engineering complex systems and processes, backed by relevant tertiary qualifications in analytics, business, economics or a related discipline.

• UNSW is committed to equity diversity and inclusion. Applications from women, people of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, those living with disabilities, 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.
• Flexible Working Options (work from home, flexible hours etc)
• Additional 3 days leave during December festive period.
• Career development opportunities
• Up to 50% discount on UNSW courses
• Flexible 17% Superannuation contributions, additional leave-loading payments and salary sacrifice.
• Discounts and entitlements (retail, education, fitness passport)