Graduate Research Services Lead

Job Description:

Te Kura Tāura| UC Graduate School
Located in Ōtautahi | Christchurch, Aotearoa | New Zealand

• Permanent position/37.5 hours per week
• Professional development opportunities
• Generous superannuation provisions (up to 6.75% employer contribution)

Kia hiwa rā, kia hiwa rā! He hiahia, he pūkenga nōu ki te mahi a te Graduate Research Services Lead? Nāia te pōwhiri nā Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha kia tono mai i te tūranga nei.

Āu Mahi | What You Will Do
At the University of Canterbury (UC), we're committed to creating an exceptional graduate research experience. We're looking for an experienced and collaborative leader to join our Graduate School as our Graduate Research Services Lead—a pivotal role where you'll shape how we support research students and academic staff across the University.

You will combine people leadership, operational excellence, strategic thinking and data-driven decision making to deliver services that make a real difference. Leading a dedicated team responsible for the administration of graduate research programmes you will drive continuous improvement across systems, processes and service delivery.

Working closely with the Dean of Postgraduate Research and key stakeholders across the University, you'll help ensure our graduate research services remain efficient, responsive and aligned with best practice, you will:

• Use data, reporting and insights to support strategic decision making
• Build strong partnerships with Faculties, academic leaders and professional staff
• Ensure graduate research policies and regulations are applied consistently and accurately
• Lead change initiatives and implementing improvements that enhance the student experience
• Represent the Graduate School on University-wide projects and working groups.

Mōu | Who You Are
You're a confident and approachable leader who enjoys improving services, developing people and solving complex problems. You will have a minimum 5 years’ experience in a tertiary setting, with advanced knowledge of tertiary systems, processes, and policies and you will be able to demonstrate:

• Significant leadership experience within a tertiary or similarly complex environment
• A passion for delivering outstanding customer service
• Understanding of, and sensitivity to, cultural differences, multi-cultural and bi-cultural issues and human diversity
• Experience leading operational improvement and managing change
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and communicate meaningful insights
• Excellent relationship-building, communication and influencing skills
• The ability to balance strategic thinking with operational delivery
• A collaborative approach and commitment to fostering an inclusive, supportive workplace
• An alignment with our organisation's values and culture, promoting a positive and inclusive work environment.

Mahi Ngātahi | Who You Will Work With
Te Kura Tāura | UC Graduate School is a space where our graduate research students can access wraparound support at every stage of their journey, from initial enquiry through to graduation.

Ngā Painga o UC | Why UC
At UC, being part of our team means more than just a job. We are committed to supporting our kaimahi | staff’s career and wellbeing with benefits designed to help our kaimahi grow and feel connected, supported and valued.

We offer a range of benefits, for more information, please visit us: https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/about-uc/work-at-uc/benefits-working-uc . (For more information about Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury, please visit https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/ ).

The closing date for this position is: 14 July 2026 (midnight, NZ time)
Please note, applications will be reviewed as they are received, and interviews may take place before the close date.

Pēhea te tono mai | How You Apply
Applications for this position must be submitted via our careers website and should include a cover letter and resume.

Please note, we do not accept applications by email, however we are happy to answer your queries in relation to the application process, please forward these to [email protected]

You must have Aotearoa New Zealand or Australian citizenship/permanent residency to be considered for this role.

Please note, this is an onsite position.

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