Vacancies

Chief Information and Digital Officer

Reference no: 499178
Work type: Fixed Term - Full Time
Location: Albury-Wodonga, Bathurst, Dubbo, Orange, Port Macquarie, Wagga Wagga
Categories: Executive, Information Technology

• Lead the digital future of Australia's leading rural and regional university
• Shape the technology, data and digital capabilities that will underpin our next decade
• Strengthen cyber security, resilience and trust in a rapidly changing digital environment

Charles Sturt University is embarking on a decade of significant reform. We want excellence across everything we do, a new direction for our teaching, learning and research, and a clear ambition to strengthen our role as Australia's leading rural and regional university.

Technology and digital capability will be central to achieving that ambition.

We are seeking a visible, influential and collaborative Chief Information and Digital Officer to shape and deliver the University's digital strategy through to 2030 and beyond. This is an opportunity to reset our digital foundations while establishing the capabilities needed for the next generation of teaching, research and university services.

The opportunity

Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, the Chief Information and Digital Officer will lead the Division of Information Technology, comprising approximately 150 people across a multi-campus university.

You will work closely with the Provost, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research and other senior leaders to translate University strategy into a clear, prioritised technology and digital roadmap. You will lead a significant, multi-year transformation program focused on:

• Modernising our core platforms across HR, finance, research and identity, creating a simpler, more connected digital environment for students and staff.
• Strengthening cyber security and digital resilience, ensuring the University can manage evolving threats while maintaining trusted and reliable services.
• Leading responsible adoption of AI and automation, improving productivity, decision-making and the experience of students and staff while managing privacy, security and emerging risks.
• Establishing strong enterprise architecture and delivery capability, enabling digital services to scale, integrate and evolve.
• Building strategic partnerships with industry and technology providers to accelerate capability, innovation and value for the University.

You will have accountability for ICT strategy and performance, financial stewardship, governance, regulatory compliance and the delivery of secure, reliable and human-centred digital services.

You will also provide strategic advice to the University Executive, Council and relevant committees, bringing a clear understanding of technology, risk and digital opportunity to institutional decision-making.

As a senior leader, you'll build a high-performing team and a culture of collaboration, innovation and continuous improvement. That culture will reflect our commitment to high trust and high accountability.

About you

You are an experienced technology and digital executive who can move confidently between enterprise strategy, technology delivery and organisational change.

You build trust quickly, bring people with you through complex transformation, and combine ambition with disciplined execution. You are comfortable operating at executive and governance levels while remaining focused on delivering practical outcomes for the people and communities the University serves.

You will bring:

• A relevant postgraduate qualification, deep understanding of technology and systems, and/or substantial experience as a CIO, Chief Digital Officer, Technology Director or in a comparable senior technology leadership role.
• A track record of designing and delivering large-scale digital transformation aligned to organisational strategy.
• Experience creating complex, secure and integrated digital ecosystems that deliver an excellent experience for users.
• Strong knowledge of technology governance, risk, compliance, cyber security and regulatory obligations.
• Demonstrated experience leading technology investment, financial management, vendor relationships and major transformation portfolios.
• The ability to influence and engage effectively with senior executives, governing bodies and diverse stakeholder groups.
• Proven capability to build strong relationships across an organisation and create alignment around strategy, change and major programs.
• A leadership approach characterised by humility, resilience, accountability and a commitment to developing people and capability.

About us

We are a university of the land and people of our regions. True to the character of regional Australia we have gumption, we have soul and we collaborate with others. We develop holistic, far-sighted people who help their communities grow and flourish.

The Wiradjuri phrase yindyamarra winhanganha means the wisdom of respectfully knowing how to live well in a world worth living in. This phrase represents who we are at Charles Sturt University – our ethos. It comes from traditional Indigenous Australian knowledge, but it also speaks to the mission of universities – to develop and spread wisdom to make the world a better place.

Harnessing technology, we thrive as a distributed yet connected community, welcoming and engaging with people across Australia and the world.

Visit our website to learn about our great range of employee benefits.

Charles Sturt University is committed to building a diverse workforce as shown through our Athena Swan Bronze Award, our Australian Workplace Equality Index Bronze Award and our membership of a range of diversity focused organisations including Diversity Council Australia and Pride in Diversity. We encourage applications from First Nations people, carers, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, people with disability, neurodivergent people, and people of all age groups, genders and sexualities for all roles.

Why Charles Sturt?

This is an opportunity to make a tangible difference through technology.

As Chief Information and Digital Officer, you will help shape the digital foundations of a university with a distinctive role in Australia's rural and regional communities. You will lead a substantial transformation agenda spanning technology, data, cyber security, AI, enterprise architecture and digital services, while helping shape how the University works, teaches, researches and connects into the future.

Additional information

• Fixed-term five-year contract.
• Attractive salary package, including up to 17% superannuation, with salary packaging options available.
• Our preference is for the successful candidate to be located at one of our campuses. An alternative eastern-state location may be considered.
• Relocation assistance provided.
• Travel will be required.
• This position is open to Australian Citizens and Permanent Residents, or applicants who hold a current valid work visa commensurate with the position.

How to apply

Charles Sturt University has engaged Towardco to assist with this important appointment.

For a confidential discussion, please contact Terri Ward, Principal at Towardco on 0447 667 439 or via email terri@towardco.com

Your application should include a “statement of suitability” demonstrating your skills, knowledge and/or experience relevant to the position (referencing the selection criteria in the applicant information brochure) and your CV.

Submit your application to terri@towardco.com quoting CSUCIDO26 in the subject line.

Please note that only applications received via this email address will be considered.

Applications close at 11pm Monday, 19 October 2026.

Advertised: 08 Oct 2026 11:00 AM - AUS Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: 19 Oct 2026 11:00 PM - AUS Eastern Daylight Time