University Executive (UE)

The University Executive (UE) replaced the Senior Executive Group (SEG) in 2016. UE makes recommendations to the Vice-Chancellor in the exercise of his delegated authority for University-wide planning, decision-making and oversight. It reports to Senate on the prosecution and management of initiatives under the University’s strategic plan, and on the academic and financial health of the University.  The Executive's management committees also were restructured in 2016 to better support the 2016–20 Strategic Plan.

Governance of the University's Strategic Plan is a core function of the University Executive. UE monitors the whole-of-strategy program of work and the overarching implementation plan and benefits realisation, while considering changes and impacts in the external environment. UE is informed and supported by a range of program control boards (PCBs) that oversee the individual elements of the University's Strategic Plan 2016 - 2020.

Membership of the UE at its establishment included the:

   - Vice Chancellor (chair)

   - Deputy Vice Chancellors

   - Chair, Academic Board

   - Vice-Principals

   - deans of the new faculties that will exist under the new structure as set out in the University's strategic plan 2016-2020.

Terms of Reference were:

The University Executive will:

1. Be responsible for University wide decision making and management oversight for the institution

2. Identify emerging opportunities and assess fit with University strategy.

3. Protect and enhance the position and reputation of the University.

4. Oversee the initiatives of the University's strategic plan.

5. Account to Senate for the financial and academic viability and sustainability of the University, including review the University's budget prior to its presentation for Senate approval.

6. Oversee performance monitoring and improvement, regulatory compliance and quality assurance processes.

7. Oversee the University's curriculum, teaching, research and research training, in conjunction with the Academic Board.

8. Maintain oversight of the University's compliance with WH&S legislation, policies and procedures.

9. Oversee the University's risk management framework including:

    a. Agreement and ongoing review of the University's Risk Appetite and Tolerance statement;

    b. Ongoing review of the institutional risk register to ensure appropriate management of risk; and

    c. Reviewing and determining appropriate mitigation strategies for escalated risks from other portfolios.

10. Oversee the University's human resources management and capability planning across human resources, digital and physical portfolios.

11. Oversee the University infrastructure investment:

    a. Approve the business cases for investment; and

    b. Approve annual capital prioritisation for infrastructure and technology.

12. Oversee, in conjunction with the Academic Board, the programs of faculty reviews conducted jointly by the University Executive and the Academic Board

13. Note the decisions made by University Executive Committees and review and approve any matters referred by University Executive committees regarding policies, procedures, programs and initiatives.

14. Ensure the effective communication of University Executive decisions to university leaders and the broader university community.

The University Executive is supported by the following committee structure:

Portfolio committees

will provide forums for cross-institutional and faculty discussions in the specialist area of each committee. Some of these committees continue the role of former SEG committees, with updated terms of reference and membership; and others are new committees.

Consultative committees

will provide forums to enable exchanges of views with particular groups (namely the student body and residential colleges)

Strategy Governance Board

oversees the project control boards (PCBs). PCBs report to UE and to the Strategy Owner for each individual element of the Strategic Plan.

In mid-2018 the PCBs were Core Research Facilities, Education Strategy, Joint UE & Academic Board Culture Taskforce, Microsoft Collaboration, Parramatta-Westmead, Research Strategy, Parramatta-Westmead Advisory Group. [source: http://sydney.edu.au/secretariat/university-executive-and-committees/university-executive.shtml and http://sydney.edu.au/secretariat/university-executive-and-committees/strategy-governance.shtml accessed 20/7/2018]

In 2019 there were 26 UE Committees and Boards sitting under six categories: Research (5), Education and students (7), Parramatta-Westmead strategy (3), Operations (6), Leadership Consultations Groups (3), Indigenous Strategy & Culture (2).

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The University Executive (UE) makes recommendations to the Vice-Chancellor for University-wide planning, decision-making and oversight. It reports to Senate on the prosecution and management of initiatives under the University’s strategic plan, and on the academic and financial health of  the University.

In 2020 there were 22 UE Committees and Board sitting under the six categories: Research (5), Education and students (8), Parramatta-Westmead strategy (2), Operations (5), Leadership Consultations Groups (2), Indigenous Strategy & Culture (1).
(From http://https://intranet.sydney.edu.au/strategy-governance/governance-committees/university-executive.html viewed 25/03/2020)

On 24 February 2022 the UE approved a streamlined core Committees structure designed to build insight, leverage expertise, and assist UE in refining their ideas and decision-making. UE established 5 Core Committees: UE Research, UE Education, UE Operations, UE Strategic Course Portfolio, UE People and Culture and further established a Strategy and Transformation Board. The first round of new UE Committee meetings was scheduled to take place in March 2022. [Staff news of 17/03/2022]