About the role
The Vice-President (Operations) provides strategic leadership of the administrative, resource and business planning activities and the overall compliance and governance of Monash Suzhou’s operation. This critical position works with the Pro Vice-Chancellor and President (Suzhou) (or PVC), ensuring operations are effective in the Chinese context, and in relationship with Monash’s campuses world-wide. The Vice-President supports the PVC on the delivery of Monash Suzhou’s strategy and operations, and manages a high-performing and dynamic team driving the communications, HR, finance, health and safety, and other operational and administration functions in line with the University’s policies and compliance framework. This involves managing a range of strategic and operational activities including managing financial and other reporting, planning, board support, KPI tracking, functional service delivery, projects, process management, business improvement, resources management, system implementation and administration.
Under the broad direction of the PVC, the Vice-President provides direction and management for Monash Suzhou to be a high quality teaching and research environment. This position has direct supervision to the HR, Finance and other administrative units in Monash Suzhou, and indirect supervision of other education, research and enterprise units in Monash Suzhou.
The VP develops extensive external networks and relationships to strengthen Monash Suzhou’ profile in the wider community and active engagement with industry. As the Chief Officer for Monash in Suzhou, the VP is accountable for operations management and commercial, financial, governance, policy and resourcing advice, in accordance with legislative and University requirements. The VP reports on financial, risk, quality and compliance measures to ensure sound decisions for strategic and operational matters, including business planning and local and international engagement
About Monash University Suzhou
Monash University has a clear purpose to deliver ground-breaking intensive research; a world-class education; a global ecosystem of enterprise – and activates these to address some of the challenges of the age, Climate Change, Thriving Communities and Geopolitical Security.
Monash is honoured to be the first Australian university to receive a licence to operate in China via its partnership with the Southeast University (SEU), one of China’s key national universities. To facilitate the collaboration, Monash University, Suzhou (Monash Suzhou) was established in 2018 at the Suzhou Industrial Park (SIP), which is one of the largest innovation precincts in China and recognised as one of the world’s most dynamic places for converting clever research into valuable industrial processes and products. It is a hub for more than 100 Fortune 500 companies, 480 R&D organisations, as well as 10 national and 28 international higher education institutions.
Today, Monash Suzhou comprises three distinct elements:
- The Joint Research Institute (JRI) and the Joint Graduate School (JGS), in partnership with SEU, produces postgraduates and researchers with ideas to change people’s lives in the region and the world for the better;
- The Monash Suzhou Science and Technology Research Institute (MSRI), a not-for-profit research institute, provides a wide range of R&D support to Monash in China in priority research areas including:
○ Advanced computation in science and engineering;
○ Advanced materials and manufacturing;
○ Energy and environment;
○ Future cities; and
○ Life sciences
MSRI aims to attract outstanding researchers and high calibre research students. Research in the long term will not be limited only to the above themes; based on the research strengths of SEU and Monash, research in other areas will also be developed and promoted in time. It is the intention to build up a critical mass of researchers at the MSRI and the JRI and strengthen relationships in R&D with local and international industries and other institutions in China.
- The Monash (Suzhou) Engineering Technology Company Ltd (METCo), provides operational/professional support for Monash Suzhou activities.
The right candidate
To be successful in this role, applicants must have exceptional skills and experience in leadership at executive management level in China, and extensive knowledge of national and international regulatory compliance. Applicants will be evaluated on their ability to assimilate new concepts and information and deliver positive, innovative solutions in line with required organisational goals and industry standards and on their ability to negotiate, influence, and build consensus at senior levels and with diverse stakeholders in a similar operating environment.
The right person can demonstrate expertise in financial management, brings outstanding organisational skills and strategic planning abilities. A record in leading high -performance teams (20-30+ staff) is required.
To learn more, and to apply
The University has engaged global search firm De Sailly Search to handle the search and recruitment process. To learn more about the opportunity, candidates are encouraged to make a confidential enquiry via email to Dr Rosalind De Sailly, at MonashSZ-VP@desailly.com.au
Candidates should obtain the Position Description from the team on this search for full details before preparing an application.
An application should include :
- Cover letter addressing suitability for this position;
- Complete and updated CV detailing qualifications, positions held detailing responsibilities held, and career achievements;
- Indication of your current work rights and citizenship status;
- List of 5 referees with their current position and contact details, and indicate how the referee is known to the candidate.
Nominated referees are to include at least one past supervisor within the past two years. Referees are contacted on a later stage and after consultation with candidates.
