At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead operations in student living, managing admissions, finance, and service delivery.
- Company: The University of Newcastle, a global leader in equity and excellence.
- Benefits: Join a high-performing team and shape the student living experience.
- Other info: Flexible hours and opportunities for professional development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on students' lives and contribute to strategic growth.
- Qualifications: Experience in operations and leadership, with strong financial management skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 70000 € per year.
The University of Newcastle is seeking an experienced and strategic Manager, ResLife Operations to lead the operational, financial, and admissions functions within Student Living. This is a senior leadership role responsible for driving operational performance, ensuring service excellence, and supporting the University’s commitment to an outstanding residential student experience. You’ll oversee key business functions, lead a multidisciplinary team, and play a central role in shaping the future of Student Living.
About the Role
Reporting to the General Manager, Student Living, the Manager, ResLife Operations leads the delivery of financial, admissions, systems, and operational services across Student Living. This role combines strategic oversight with operational execution. You’ll be responsible for optimising business processes, leading system and process improvements, managing budgets and performance, and ensuring occupancy and service targets are achieved. You’ll also provide expert advice to senior leadership on business operations, financial management, and growth opportunities within the student accommodation portfolio.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead Student Living operations across admissions, finance, systems, and service delivery
- Drive operational performance, ensuring services are delivered on time, within budget, and to a high standard
- Oversee admissions and occupancy processes to meet University targets
- Manage and monitor operational budgets, income, expenditure, and debtor processes
- Provide high‑level reporting and insights on financial performance, occupancy, and operational metrics
- Lead, develop, and support a team of professional staff, ensuring performance, capability, and engagement
About You
You are a strategic and commercially astute leader with strong operational capability and the ability to balance big‑picture thinking with day‑to‑day delivery. You’re confident working in complex environments, leading teams, and influencing outcomes across diverse stakeholder groups.
Qualifications
- Relevant degree and extensive experience in operations, business management, or a related field
- Demonstrated leadership experience managing multidisciplinary teams and driving performance
- Strong financial management capability, including budget development, monitoring, and reporting
- Strong stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to build and maintain strategic relationships
- Experience with systems, data, and operational reporting to inform decision‑making
- Understanding of student accommodation or a similar service‑delivery environment (highly desirable)
About the University
The University of Newcastle is a global leader in equity and excellence, committed to delivering an exceptional student experience and creating a better future for our regions and communities. Student Living sits within the Student Central Portfolio and provides safe, inclusive, and development‑focused accommodation experiences that support students to thrive.
Why Join Us?
At the University of Newcastle, you’ll have the opportunity to lead a critical portfolio shaping the student living experience. You’ll work with a high‑performing team, contribute to strategic growth, and play a key role in delivering impactful outcomes for students and the University community.
Additional Information
- This role requires flexibility to work outside standard hours as required
- Work may occur across multiple campuses
- The role is primarily campus‑based and involves engagement with student‑focused services
- A Working With Children Check is required
Contact Us
For specific position enquiries, please contact Jess Rokobaro, General Manager Student Living, on (02) 4921 5233 or via email at Jess.Rokobaro@newcastle.edu.au. Having technical difficulties? Please reach out to employment@newcastle.edu.au – we do not accept email applications.
Closing date: Sunday 31 May, 2026 at 11.59pm AEST
We value diversity and strive to ensure that our recruitment processes are equitable, inclusive, and barrier-free. If you require an alternative pathway to view the Position Description or to submit an application, please reach out to employment@newcastle.edu.au. We also seek to provide a fair chance to all applicants by providing reasonable adjustments where required during the assessment and interview phases of the recruitment process. The University of Newcastle is an equal opportunity employer committed to equity, diversity, and social inclusion. Women and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are particularly encouraged to apply.
Manager, ResLife Operations in Newcastle upon Tyne employer: University of Newcastle
The University of Newcastle is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment that prioritises the student experience and fosters professional growth. As a leader in higher education, you will have the opportunity to shape the future of Student Living while working alongside a dedicated team committed to excellence and inclusivity. With a focus on strategic development and operational performance, this role provides a unique chance to make a meaningful impact within a supportive and diverse community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Manager, ResLife Operations in Newcastle upon Tyne
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at the University of Newcastle on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give us insider info about the role and help us stand out in the application process.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching the latest trends in student accommodation and operational management. We want to show that we’re not just qualified, but also passionate about enhancing the student living experience.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice our responses to common interview questions, especially around leadership and financial management. Let’s make sure we can confidently share our experiences and how they align with the role's requirements.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure our application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows we’re serious about joining the University of Newcastle team.
We think you need these skills to ace Manager, ResLife Operations in Newcastle upon Tyne
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the role of Manager, ResLife Operations. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:Since this is a senior leadership role, don’t shy away from sharing examples of how you've successfully led teams in the past. We want to see your ability to drive performance and engage with diverse stakeholders.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so make sure your key achievements and experiences stand out without unnecessary fluff.
Apply Through Our Website:Remember, the best way to apply is through our website. It ensures your application gets to the right place and helps us keep track of everything. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at University of Newcastle
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into the University of Newcastle's values and mission. Understand their approach to student living and how your experience aligns with their goals. This will help you articulate how you can contribute to enhancing the residential student experience.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your leadership experience, especially in managing multidisciplinary teams. Be ready to discuss specific challenges you've faced and how you drove performance and engagement within your team. This is crucial for a senior role like Manager, ResLife Operations.
✨Financial Savvy is Key
Brush up on your financial management skills. Be prepared to discuss your experience with budget development, monitoring, and reporting. You might be asked to provide insights on how you've optimised budgets in previous roles, so have some concrete examples ready.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Think about your past experiences in stakeholder engagement. Prepare to share how you've built and maintained strategic relationships in complex environments. This will demonstrate your ability to influence outcomes across diverse groups, which is essential for this role.
