Melbourne Uni reshuffles digital, data leadership

The University of Melbourne is creating a string of new leadership positions around digital and data technologies in the hope of building out its technical capabilities to attract students.

Under the reshuffle, the university’s pro vice-chancellor (PVC) of research collaboration and infrastructure Liz Sonenberg has been given a new title of PVC of digital and data.

Working with a “high degree of autonomy” under the broad direction of Sonenberg, the university is also looking to appoint a director of digital and data who will 'set the digital and data agenda' for the university.

The director will be required to coordinate digital policy across a number of portfolios, including teaching and learning, research, and engagement.

They will sit in the administration and finance team in chancellery, and be “supported” by new advisory groups both within chancellery and its shared services arm.

Sonenberg told iTnews the director would work with those responsible for IT service delivery across the university, specifically in academic services, infrastructure services, and business intelligence and reporting. 

“The role will help shape the university’s digital and data strategy and priorities, establish a trajectory for mature data governance, and ensure there is strategic alignment for digital policy across different functional areas of the university," she said.

Reporting into the new director will be four full-time digital advisors, including a digital advisor for teaching and learning, who will assist in defining the university’s “digital strategy, policy, governance and alignment”.

The creation of the new digital leadership hierarchy was driven by Melbourne Uni’s 2015 to 2020 strategy, titled Growing Esteem [pdf].

“The university’s capacity to succeed is determined not only by the goals we set but also by how effectively we support our people, organise infrastructure and align resources and systems. The impact of digital technology on operations is significant and building the capability to support this ambition is critical,” the strategy states.