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National Manager of Counselling and Wellbeing - Job Opportunity at SAE University College

West End QLD, Australia
Full-time
Senior
Posted: June 4, 2025
Hybrid
AUD 110,000 - 140,000 per year based on senior management level in higher education sector, national scope of responsibilities, and requirement for both clinical expertise and executive leadership capabilities. The role's combination of strategic oversight and clinical supervision typically commands premium compensation in the Australian university sector.

Benefits

Comprehensive global career mobility across Navitas education network providing international experience opportunities
Flexible work arrangements supporting work-life integration and productivity optimization
Tax-advantaged salary packaging and novated leasing programs for enhanced take-home pay
Paid volunteer leave supporting community engagement and personal fulfillment
Comprehensive employee assistance program including free counselling and wellbeing support for staff and families
Discounted lifestyle benefits including gym memberships, health insurance, entertainment and travel

Key Responsibilities

Lead strategic delivery of comprehensive student support services including counselling, disability services, and welfare programs ensuring regulatory compliance and service excellence across multiple campuses
Provide executive leadership through line management and clinical supervision of multidisciplinary student support teams including counsellors and advisors
Drive organizational transformation through strategic project leadership focused on enhancing student experience and educational outcomes
Build institutional capacity through expert consultation and training programs that advance mental health literacy and inclusive campus culture
Ensure organizational risk management through meticulous oversight of confidential data systems and regulatory reporting requirements
Provide crisis leadership and expert consultation for critical incidents and complex student presentations requiring immediate intervention

Requirements

Education

Masters level or above qualification in counselling, social work, or psychology

Experience

Demonstrated experience in a management role within a relevant service and proven effectiveness in providing services to clients from diverse social and cultural backgrounds

Required Skills

Professional level membership of a relevant professional association or board (e.g., PACFA register, AASW, or AHPRA) Demonstrated experience and training as a clinical supervisor of students Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of relevant legislative, ethical, and practice requirements for the provision of counselling and disabilities services in a higher education setting Demonstrated high standard of competence in responding to urgent mental health presentations, triage, case management, and liaison/advice regarding appropriate mental health first aid Highly developed interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills

Certifications

Professional level membership of a relevant professional association or board (e.g., PACFA register, AASW, or AHPRA)
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Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

The higher education sector is experiencing unprecedented demand for student mental health and wellbeing services, with universities reporting 40-60% increases in counselling service usage over the past five years. This trend has been accelerated by pandemic-related mental health impacts and increased awareness of psychological wellbeing among younger demographics. Universities are increasingly adopting proactive, preventive mental health approaches rather than reactive crisis intervention models. This includes implementing campus-wide mental health literacy programs, peer support networks, and early intervention strategies that require sophisticated leadership and strategic planning. The integration of disability services with mental health support is becoming standard practice in Australian higher education, driven by legislative requirements under the Disability Standards for Education and growing recognition of the intersection between mental health conditions and learning support needs.

Role Significance

Typically manages teams of 8-15 professionals including counsellors, student support advisors, and administrative staff across multiple locations. The role also involves supervision of student counsellors on placement, suggesting coordination of 20-30 individuals across the full service delivery network.
This is a senior executive role combining clinical expertise with strategic leadership responsibilities. The position operates at the intersection of student services, risk management, and institutional strategy, requiring both hands-on clinical competence and high-level organizational leadership. The national scope and multi-campus responsibility indicate significant organizational trust and authority.

Key Projects

Implementation of integrated student support service models that combine mental health, disability services, and academic support Development of crisis response protocols and training programs for academic and administrative staff Design and delivery of mental health literacy programs for student populations Strategic planning for service expansion and resource allocation across multiple campus locations

Success Factors

Ability to balance clinical excellence with strategic business leadership, ensuring both individual student outcomes and organizational objectives are achieved simultaneously Sophisticated understanding of higher education regulatory environment and ability to translate compliance requirements into practical service delivery models that enhance rather than constrain student support Cultural competence and inclusive leadership skills essential for serving diverse student populations including international students, indigenous students, and students from various socioeconomic backgrounds Change management expertise required to lead service transformation initiatives and build organizational capacity for mental health support across multiple campus locations

Market Demand

High demand driven by critical shortage of qualified mental health professionals in higher education settings, increased regulatory requirements for student support services, and growing institutional focus on student retention and wellbeing outcomes as key performance indicators.

Important Skills

Critical Skills

Clinical supervision expertise is essential as the role requires maintaining professional standards and developing junior staff while ensuring compliance with multiple professional registration bodies and ethical frameworks Strategic project management capabilities are crucial for leading organizational change initiatives and implementing new service models across multiple locations with diverse stakeholder groups Crisis intervention and risk management skills are fundamental given the role's responsibility for critical incidents and complex student presentations that could have significant legal and reputational implications for the institution

Beneficial Skills

Digital service delivery expertise increasingly valuable as higher education institutions develop online and hybrid support models to reach diverse student populations Research and evaluation skills important for demonstrating service effectiveness and securing ongoing institutional investment in student support programs Cross-cultural competence particularly valuable given the international student populations typical in Australian higher education and the creative industries' global nature

Unique Aspects

The combination of creative media education focus with comprehensive student support services creates unique opportunities to develop specialized expertise in supporting students in high-stress, competitive creative industries
National scope with multi-campus coordination provides exceptional experience in service standardization and remote team leadership, valuable skills in the evolving higher education landscape
Integration with Navitas network offers unusual career mobility and international experience opportunities not typically available in traditional university settings
The role's emphasis on building mental health literacy across campus communities positions the successful candidate as a thought leader in preventive mental health approaches in higher education

Career Growth

Progression to director-level roles typically occurs within 3-5 years given the strategic nature of this position. Movement to executive leadership roles generally requires 5-8 years of additional experience building broader organizational and sector knowledge.

Potential Next Roles

Director of Student Services or Student Experience roles with broader portfolio responsibility including academic support, student engagement, and campus life Executive leadership positions such as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student Experience) or equivalent C-suite roles in higher education institutions Senior consulting roles with education sector specialist firms or government departments responsible for higher education policy and regulation

Company Overview

SAE University College

SAE University College operates as part of the Navitas group, one of Australia's largest private education providers with significant international presence. The institution specializes in creative media and technology education, positioning it in the rapidly growing creative industries sector that intersects with traditional higher education and vocational training.

As part of Navitas, SAE benefits from substantial organizational resources and established market presence in the Australian private higher education sector. The company's focus on creative and technical disciplines positions it well for growth in emerging industries and provides students with strong industry connections.
The national scope of this role reflects SAE's multi-campus presence across Australia, requiring sophisticated coordination and standardization of student support services. This geographic spread provides significant professional development opportunities and exposure to diverse student populations and regional challenges.
The creative media focus and industry connections suggest a dynamic, innovation-oriented work environment that values both artistic expression and technical excellence. The emphasis on diversity and inclusion indicates a progressive organizational culture aligned with contemporary higher education values.
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