Edith Cowan University (ECU) is seeking an outstanding executive leader to take on the role of Vice-President (Corporate Services). This is a pivotal appointment that will shape the operational backbone of the university during a defining period of growth, investment, and transformation.
This role offers a rare opportunity to lead ECU’s corporate and enabling services portfolio at a defining moment for the university. With the recent opening of ECU City, a landmark inner-city campus that is reshaping higher education in Western Australia, the institution is moving into a critical phase of consolidation, optimisation, and value realisation. As Vice-President (Corporate Services), you will play a central role in embedding this new operating footprint, ensuring the financial, digital, and physical foundations are in place to sustain ECU’s momentum and deliver on its long-term strategic ambitions.
Reporting directly to the Vice-Chancellor, the Vice-President (Corporate Services) is responsible for leading a diverse and high-impact portfolio that includes Finance, Digital Services, Campus Environments, and the University Project Management Office. You will lead a team of senior executives, including the Chief Financial Officer, Chief Information Officer, Director of Campus Environments, and Director of the University Project Management Office and work collaboratively across the institution to ensure that ECU’s corporate services enable academic excellence, operational performance, and long-term financial sustainability.
This is a role for a strategic and transformational leader who is energised by complexity and motivated by impact. You will be responsible for shaping institutional strategy as a member of the University’s Executive Leadership Team, driving enterprise-wide digital transformation and cyber security maturity, overseeing major capital works and sustainability initiatives, and embedding a scalable, customer-focused corporate services model across the university. You will also lead significant organisational and operational change, ensuring integration across portfolio functions and alignment to ECU’s strategic priorities, while maintaining robust governance, risk, and compliance frameworks.
The successful candidate will bring significant senior leadership experience from large, complex organisations, ideally with exposure to higher education, government, or other regulated environments. You will have a strong track record in financial strategy and resource allocation, alongside demonstrated experience leading digital transformation, enterprise systems, or major infrastructure programs at scale. Your ability to lead through change, build trusted partnerships with executive peers and governing bodies, and develop high-performing teams will be essential to your success in this role.
At ECU, our values of Integrity, Respect, Rational Inquiry, Personal Excellence, and Courage are at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to creating an inclusive and forward-thinking environment where leadership is bold, collaboration is valued, and innovation is embraced.
For further information and to apply, please submit a CV and covering letter, detailing how you fulfill the role description and personal specification to https://PLusPortal.PerrettLaver.com quoting reference 8479 . The deadline for applications is 9am AWST, Friday 3rd July .
For a conversation in confidence please contact Claudia Roth : Claudia.Roth@perrettlaver.com
Perrett Laver will conduct an executive search process in parallel with the public advertisement of the role. If you require any reasonable adjustments to assist you in the selection process, please advise us of these so that we can make appropriate arrangements.
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