Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, the Assistant Vice-Chancellor (Strategy Implementation) drives the implementation of the University’s vision under Strategy 2030 and is responsible for realising major strategic priorities across education, research, community engagement and organisational development.
Professor Willis is a highly regarded scholar of Australian architecture and an accomplished senior leader with deep institutional knowledge and extensive experience of delivering complex strategy and organisational change at scale.
She is one of the University’s longest-serving executives and has contributed widely across the institution. This includes participating in committees concerning student experience, research infrastructure, research resources, research reporting, childcare provision, and heritage governance.
Prior to her appointment as Assistant Vice-Chancellor (Strategy Implementation), Julie was Dean of the Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning (ABP) from 2016 until April 2026. From 2024 to 2026, she held the position of Deputy Chair and Academic Lead of the Resources and Operations Sub-Committee (ROSC).
Julie also made significant contributions between 2017 and 2021 to its sub-committee, the Capital Advisory Group, which provides advice and recommendations to University Executive on the long-term financial and operational sustainability of the University. Julie chaired the University’s Diversity & Inclusion Sub-Committee from 2018 to 2026, leading the development of the University’s current Diversity & Inclusion Action Plan. Previously, she was Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research Capability) from 2012 to 2016.
Julie trained as an architect and is a leading expert on the history of Australian architecture. Throughout her academic career, she has undertaken significant research projects that range from exploring how architecture during wartime influenced both design practice and production, equity and diversity in the Australian architecture profession, and the design of hospitals and their effect on patient wellbeing.