The Office of the Vice-Chancellor (OVC) supports the University’s two most senior staff, the Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Brian P. Schmidt AC FAA FRS, and the Provost Professor Mike Calford, in their leadership of The Australian National University (ANU).

The OVC takes responsibility for the strategy and agenda of the Vice-Chancellor and the Provost; for providing advice and support to the Vice-Chancellor and the Provost, as well as other ANU leaders; for stewarding the business of the University and managing the University’s leadership committees; and, for coordinating the day-to-day work of the Vice-Chancellor and Provost.

The OVC is led by the Chief of Staff and Director, Chris Price, who is the senior advisor to the Vice-Chancellor and the Provost, takes overall responsibility for managing their strategic agendas, represents them in various contexts, and works closely with colleagues on their behalf. He is an advisory member of the ANU Executive and Senior Management Group, and as Director of the OVC, he manages the professional staff and functions of the Office.

The Executive Officers in the OVC support the Vice-Chancellor, the Provost and the Chief of Staff, by managing major projects and taking ownership of the business flow of the University’s primary management committee, Senior Management Group, as well as the Provost’s Group and the University Leadership Group. The OVC’s Executive Officers, Caterina Giugovaz (working primarily with the Vice-Chancellor), Sara Rowley (working primarily with the Provost), and Jenny Nutter (working on priority projects, primarily relating to the ANU Reconciliation Action Plan) also engage with counterparts across the University to advance major strategic initiatives.

The Executive Assistant to the Vice-Chancellor, Samantha Annetts, and the Executive Assistant to the Provost, Jenny Hyland, coordinate the work and schedules of the VC and Provost respectively. The Office is supported by the Acting OVC Support Officer, Renee Weir, who manages a portfolio of responsibilities across OVC and provides EA support to the Chief of Staff and Director.

Two major strategic projects are currently managed from the OVC: Admissions Reform, led by Bree Slater; and the Indonesia Initiative, led by Di Stewart.

In addition, the OVC works closely with:

• the National Centre for Indigenous Studies and the Corporate Governance and Risk Office, whose Directors report to the Vice-Chancellor.
• the Pro Vice-Chancellor (International Strategy), the Vice President (Engagement and Global Relations), and the Vice President (Advancement) on engagement and philanthropic matters.
• the Chief Operating Officer and his portfolio on resourcing, infrastructure and service delivery matters.