Join us in congratulating Nicole Gower on her appointment to the role of Human Resources Director.
With a passion for higher education, Nicole plans to build on the existing strength of our Human Resources team to build strong business partnerships with faculties and divisions across the University.
We asked Nicole a number of questions about her professional background, aspirations for the role and the challenges that lie ahead.
What’s the elevator pitch/layman’s version of your professional background and expertise?
I spent the first part of my career as a specialist employment lawyer in private practice, and then moved into the higher education sector, firstly as a lawyer and then a senior HR leader. In my current role as Head of HR Client Services at UNSW I lead a large team of HR professionals to deliver a high quality service across the full range of HR activities. I am also an experienced workplace trainer, accredited mediator and conflict resolution specialist.
Why did you choose that career?
As a ‘people person’ and a lawyer, HR is the perfect job for me. I find it very rewarding to lead a team that provide an important service, and help others to resolve challenging issues. I am also passionate about the higher education sector, and have focussed on providing HR services that align with the strategic priorities of the university.
What attracted you to Macquarie?
I am impressed with the Vice-Chancellor’s vision for the University with people at the heart of the strategy, and the determination and drive to achieve this ambition amongst leaders and staff within the University. It is clear within the sector that this vision is becoming a reality and that Macquarie University is an exciting place to be. There is also a warmth and collegiality amongst people on campus, which creates a great sense of community for staff and students alike.
What do you hope to achieve in the new role?
I believe HR exists as a critical enabler to the University delivering the highest quality education and research. I plan to build on the existing strengths within HR to deliver the fundamentals really well, give reliable, solutions-focussed advice and build a strong business partnership with the faculties and divisions across the University to support their needs and strategic priorities.
What do you see as the opportunities and challenges for universities in the next five to 10 years?
It is certainly an interesting time to be working in the higher education sector, with significant changes likely to occur in the coming year. If fee deregulation proceeds, this will bring a stronger focus on the student experience, and require universities to refine their value proposition for prospective students. I am also pleased to see Macquarie University forging strong relationships with industry and offering clinical services, which allows research outcomes to have a meaningful impact in the community.