Innovation Hub Design Strategist – AI and Digital Architecture (UNSW)

Remuneration Level 8: $127,351 - $143,489 + 17% Superannuation

Location: Paddington, NSW (the successful candidate will be required to work
on campus a minimum of 3 days per week)

Full Time (35-hour week)

Fixed Term to December 2027

Why The Role Matters:

The UNSW Innovation Hub enables innovation across the University by designing
and advancing new methods and ways of working that support cross-disciplinary
collaboration. By bringing together academics, professional staff, and students,
the Hub creates impactful opportunities to develop and scale innovative projects
within UNSW and in partnership with industry, government, and community
stakeholders. Aligned with the UNSW Strategy: Progress for All, the Hub plays a
central role in building innovation capability through new programs,
collaborations, systems, technologies and processes.

The Design Strategist (AI and Digital Architecture) plays a lead role in
delivering specialist design and technology capability to support AI‑enabled and
digitally driven projects within the UNSW Innovation Hub. The role combines
human‑centered design with advanced technical insight to drive research, problem
framing, prototyping and implementation activities. Working closely with the Hub
Director, Manager and transdisciplinary teams, the role supports stakeholder
engagement and contributes to the ethical, feasible and strategically aligned
application of emerging technologies. The role also supports the delivery of Hub
programs and initiatives and contributes to building productive partnerships
across UNSW and with external stakeholders.

Accountabilities:

• Work closely with the Innovation Hub Director and Manager to strategise,
  design and deliver AI enabled and digitally driven problem-solving projects
  that align with the Hub’s strategic vision and organisational priorities.
• Provide high‑level design consultation and facilitate collaboration between
  transdisciplinary project teams, supporting alignment across design,
  technology and operations to achieve ethical, feasible and human‑centered
  technology outcomes.
• Lead the framing of complex technological and organisational challenges and
  contribute to designing the strategies and processes needed to address them.
• Facilitate day-to-day project activities, including designing and delivering
  workshops, consultation sessions and overseeing prototyping and
  implementation processes as needed.
• Lead project activities and provide high‑level guidance to teams, assisting
  with delivery, monitoring progress and contributing to problem‑solving and
  implementation support.
• Develop and support effective communications with key stakeholders, both
  internal and external and provide influential input with stakeholders to
  enhance collaboration and drive project success.
• Collaborate with the Innovation Hub team to build capability across UNSW by
  increasing the number of staff actively engaged in design-led methodologies
  and working on Hub projects.
• Contribute to the creation, development and scaling of a design-led,
  problem-solving culture at UNSW.
• Work with the Hub team to coordinate and drive the delivery and
  implementation of projects and initiatives to achieve strategic and
  operational goals.
• Foster and maintain strong relationships and networks across UNSW and with
  Hub Partners. Monitor changes in government policy, industry trends and
  emerging technologies to continuously enhance design processes and outcomes.

Skills and Experience:

To be considered you will hold Australian Working Rights or Australian
Citizenship. Visa sponsorship is not available for this appointment.

• Relevant tertiary qualification in Design, or a related discipline with
  subsequent relevant experience or equivalent competence gained through any
  combination of education, training and professional practice.
• Proven track record as a Designer and Strategist/Consultant with expertise in
  design-led methodologies (including user research methods and usability
  testing) and broader problem-solving methodologies, and their application
  within AI-enabled and digitally driven initiatives across the project life
  cycle including planning objectives and documentation.
• Advanced written, verbal and visual communication skills, with the ability to
  articulate complex design and technological concepts to diverse audiences and
  ensure a high level of attention to detail for deliverables produced.
• Demonstrated experience in design education, including teaching design-led
  methodologies through active learning, and applying artificial intelligence,
  digital systems and technical architecture in education project contexts.
• Demonstrated success in collaborating effectively on initiatives with diverse
  individuals and teams at all levels within an organisation.
• High-level experience with digital collaboration, prototyping and AI-enabled
  environments, with the ability to rapidly adapt to evolving tools and
  platforms.
• Excellent time management skills, with a demonstrated ability to respond to
  changing priorities, manage multiple tasks and meet competing deadlines using
  sound judgement and initiative.
• Demonstrated ability to lead project teams and positively influence project
  cultures.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and productively within a team,
  but also to take initiative and work independently while managing competing
  demands.

Pre-Employment Checks:

Aligned with UNSW’s focus on cultivating a workplace defined by safety, ethical
conduct, and strong integrity preferred candidates will be required to
participate in a combination of pre-employment checks relevant to the role they
have applied for. These pre-employment checks may include a combination of some
of the following checks:

• National and International Criminal history checks
• Entitlement to work and ID checks
• Working With Children Checks
• Completion of a Gender-Based Violence Prevention Declaration
• Verification of relevant qualifications
• Verification of relevant professional membership
• Employment history and reference checks
• Financial responsibility assessments/checks
• Medical Checks and Assessments

Compliance with the necessary combination of these checks is a condition of
employment at UNSW.

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.

• Career development opportunities
• 17% Superannuation contributions and additional leave loading payments
• Additional 3 days of leave over Christmas period
• Discounts and entitlements (retail, education, fitness)

For further details on the benefits, please visit https://www.jobs.unsw.edu.au/lifestyle-benefits

How to Apply:

Submit both a Cover Letter and CV online via the UNSW Job Board before Tuesday
19th May 2026 by 11:30pm. Please ensure your Cover Letter addresses the core
Skills and Experience mentioned in the advert (no more than 2 pages).

Get in Touch:

Any applications sent to the contacts below will not be accepted.

If you have questions about the role, please contact Michaela Turner at m.turner@unsw.edu.au

If you have questions about the recruitment process, please contact Allyssar
Hamoud at a.hamoud@unsw.edu.au

UNSW is committed to evolving a culture that embraces equity and supports a
diverse and inclusive community where everyone can participate fairly, in a safe
and respectful environment. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds and
encourage applications from people of diverse gender, sexual orientation,
cultural and linguistic backgrounds, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
background, people with disability and those with caring and family
responsibilities. UNSW provides workplace adjustments for people with
disability, and access to flexible work options for eligible staff. The
University reserves the right not to proceed with any appointment.