Team Leader Facilities Operations

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University of Newcastle is hiring a Team Leader Facilities Operations at Callaghan Campus for a full-time onsite HEW 8 role reporting to the Senior Facilities Manager and leading a team of Facilities Coordinators and Operations Officers. You will coordinate maintenance priorities, contractor performance, safety and risk, and support asset improvement projects while delivering high quality, compliant service across campuses. The ideal candidate brings facilities or property operations experience, proven leadership and communication skills, comfort managing contractors and CMMS or asset systems, and a practical, solutions-focused approach. To apply, submit one PDF with your resume, a cover letter, and a response to the essential criteria with concrete examples; address residency or work eligibility. Closing date 16 August 2026. Applications via the university site; expect an interview and pre-employment checks.

• Lead people and drive operational excellence
• Varied role where every day brings new challenges and opportunities
• Gain exposure to a broad range of maintenance, operational and capital improvement projects

Be Challenged and Imagine with us

As the second-in-command to the Senior Facilities Manager, you'll oversee the day-to-day operations of a team of Facilities Coordinators and Facilities Operations Officers, ensuring maintenance activities, operational priorities and customer requests are delivered safely, efficiently and to a high standard.

You'll provide leadership, coaching and guidance to your team while working across a diverse range of operational activities—from coordinating reactive maintenance and contractor performance through to supporting asset improvement initiatives, operational projects and service enhancements.

You'll also collaborate with technical specialists, contractors and stakeholders across the University to ensure our campuses remain safe, compliant and fit for purpose.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys balancing people leadership with hands-on operational problem solving and is looking to broaden their leadership experience within a complex and rewarding environment.

In this role you will:

• Lead and support the day-to-day operations of the Facilities Management team across University sites.
• Coach, mentor and develop a team, ensuring consistent, customer-focused service delivery.
• Coordinate maintenance priorities, reactive works and operational service requests.
• Work closely with the Senior Facilities Manager to support projects, asset improvement programs and operational planning.
• Manage contractor performance, compliance and service delivery outcomes.
• Lead safe systems of work, contractor management, permits, risk assessments and operational compliance activities.
• Respond to operational issues and emergency situations, helping coordinate effective solutions.
• Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders and deliver exceptional customer service.
• Identify opportunities to improve systems, processes and operational performance.

About you

You're an experienced facilities professional who thrives in a fast-paced operational environment and enjoys leading people to deliver outstanding service. Whether your background is in facilities management, property operations or a trade, you bring strong leadership capability, excellent communication skills and the ability to juggle competing priorities with confidence. You're comfortable working with contractors, managing operational issues and ensuring work is completed safely and compliantly. You're also confident using computerised maintenance, asset management or finance systems and have a practical, solutions-focused approach to improving services. Most importantly, you're a collaborative leader who enjoys supporting your team, building strong stakeholder relationships and delivering high-quality outcomes across a diverse and dynamic environment.

This continuing role is full time at a HEW 8 Higher Education Worker Level and is located at Callaghan Campus

About our University

The University of Newcastle stands as a global leader distinguished by a commitment to equity and excellence. Our vision is to be a world-leading University for our regions and creating a better future for our regions and the globe. Underpinned by this vision and our values of excellence, equity, engagement and sustainability, the University of Newcastle’s Looking Ahead Strategic Plan 2030 outlines the University’s commitment to delivering an exceptional student experience and serving our communities. 

For more information click here – Our University. 

What we offer

In addition to working for a university that is breaking boundaries, discovering new ways of thinking and cementing a place as a global leader, we offer a range of benefits to our employees to ensure you balance your commitments, stay healthy and work effectively. 

These include: 

• An FTE equivalent remuneration of $116,596 - $136090 superannuation and excellent employment conditions in line with University of Newcastle professional staff conditions.
• 35 hour week
• 17% super and salary packaging
• Additional University Holiday days, generous personal leave and parental leave, annual leave loading and additional purchased leave scheme
• Discounts in private health insurance, gym memberships, software, travel and more
• Wellbeing programs

Your next steps 

Please visit here for a guide on how to apply for a role. 

If viewing this on a job board other than the University's please click ‘Apply’ to reach the University's website, where a copy of the Position Description can be accessed. Please download a copy before commencing your application. 

Your application must include: 

• Your resume
• A cover letter outlining your motivation to apply for this opportunity
•  A statement addressing the Essential Criteria listed in the job description demonstrating your qualifications and experience with examples.

To ensure that your application receives full consideration, it's important to structure and address the selection criteria outlined in the application process. This helps us better understand your experience and suitability for the role. We appreciate your attention to this matter and look forward to reviewing your application.

Please upload your Cover Letter and response to the requested Criteria as one PDF document.

Your Cover Letter and Response to the Essential Criteria should not exceed 4 pages (approximately 2,000 words).

Applications for this position will only be accepted from those with Australian residency or a valid work permit. We are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role. 

For specific position enquiries, please contact Scott Conza, Senior Facilities Manager (02) 4055 0780 or via email [email protected]

Having Difficulties? Please reach out to us: [email protected]

Closing date: Sunday 16th August 2026 @ 11:59pm AEST

Our assessment process

Typically, candidates that progress beyond the shortlist stage can expect to undertake the following (minimum) assessment activities as part of the recruitment process:

• Interview (an ‘in person’ interview will be conducted as part of the process)
• Referee checks
• Pre-employment checks as appropriate to the role 

Our University is committed to creating a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for every member of our community. This commitment is central to our values and our efforts to build a diverse workforce where everyone can thrive. 

As part of this, and in alignment with the National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-Based Violence 2025, from 1 January 2026, the University will also consider gender-based violence risk factors as part of our recruitment processes. 

The completion and return of the University’s Gender-based Violence Declaration Form will form part of the pre-employment checks for this position and any offer of employment will be conditional upon review by the University. 

Our adherence to the Code is about more than compliance—it’s about living our values. Together, we can ensure our University remains a place where respect, safety, and inclusion are non-negotiable. 

We are excited to be Looking Ahead with you

We are committed to a fair, inclusive, and barrier-free recruitment process. If you require an alternative way to access the Position Description or submit your application, please contact [email protected].

Reasonable adjustments are available throughout the assessment and interview process to support all applicants to participate fully.

The University of Newcastle is an equal opportunity employer committed to equity, diversity, and social inclusion. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and strongly encourage women and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates to apply.

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