Jack Thomson.
'I have always believed in empowering my team and my students through the way they think, communicate and express ideas.'
Jack
Thomson
Jack is an education leader working across the creative arts, education, student experience, strategy and operations.
As Deputy Director, Learning & Innovation at the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA), Jack works across the academic and student experience, bringing together people, systems and strategy to create environments where students and staff can thrive.
His work is particularly focused on the space where strategy meets practice, turning ambitious ideas into meaningful, sustainable change that improves the day-to-day experience of students and staff.
Before joining NIDA, Jack worked at the University of Sydney, where he held roles spanning student experience, engagement and residential life. Across his career, he has led multidisciplinary teams, delivered organisational change, developed new approaches to student engagement and support, and worked across complex higher education and creative education environments.
Jack also has a strong interest in governance and the broader student affairs profession. He currently serves as a member of NIDA’s Academic Board and previously served on the Board of the Asia Pacific Student Accommodation Association (APSAA) from 2021 to 2023.
In 2020, Jack was awarded the Fran O’Brien Award by APSAA, recognising emerging leadership and contribution to the student accommodation and student experience profession. He has also been a Mental Health First Aid Instructor since 2020, supporting the development of more informed and responsive communities.
Jack holds qualifications in Communications, Theatre/Media and Public Relations from Charles Sturt University and continues to develop his practice and thinking in educational leadership.
At the centre of Jack’s work is a belief that education can change lives and that the institutions providing it should continually challenge themselves to be better.
A phrase that continues to influence his approach is yindyamarra winhanganha, the wisdom of respectfully knowing how to live well in a world worth living in. It is a reminder to lead thoughtfully, listen carefully and consider the impact our decisions have on the people and communities around us.
About Jack
Work Experience
Deputy Director, Learning & Innovation
National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA). Sept 2025 – Present
Strategic Leadership, Student Experience, Academic Operations, Organisational Strategy, People Leadership, Higher & Vocational Education
Academic Board Member
National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA). 2024 – Present
Academic Governance, Education Strategy, Quality Assurance, Student Experience
Manager, Learning & Innovation
National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA). Sept 2023 – Sept 2025
Student Services, Academic Operations, Student Experience, People Leadership, Strategy, Organisational Change
Board Member
APSAA - Asia Pacific Student Accommodation Association. May 2021 - 2023
Event Management, Budget Oversight, Committee Chair, Strategic Implementation
Training Instructor
Mental Health First Aid - Australia. July 2020 - 2024
Training, Facilitations, In-Depth Knowledge of Mental Health Strategies
Student Experience Manager
Student Accommodation Services - University of Sydney. Sept 2019 - 2023
Oversee Incidents, Human Resources, Events, Orientation, Initiatives, Strategy, Staff Planning
Residential Life Officer
Student Accommodation Services - University of Sydney. May 2019 - Sept 2019
Team of 20 Staff, Operational Objectives, People Management, Events Management
Residential Life Manager
Campus Living Villages - University of Sydney Portfolio. Dec 2017 - May 2019
Managed a Team of 60 Staff, Operational Objectives, Contract Management, Events Management
University Relations Officer - Asia Pacific
Golden Key International Honour Society, Sydney. Dec 2016 - Dec 2017.
Account Management, Client liaison, Event Management, Social Media Management,
Re-Branding and Relationship Management.
Head Resident
Charles Sturt University, Bathurst. Sep 2015 - Oct 2016.
Running Events (Pre and Post Production), Leading and Managing a Team of Eight,
Social Media and Public Relations Campaigns.
Event Manager and President
The Cheeky Collective. Dec 2015 - Oct 2016.
Booking Artists, Creating Themes and Events, Designing Posters, Working with the team,
sponsors and businesses alike.
Co-Founder, Events and Public Relations
Trekking4Nepal - April 2015 - July 2016
Charity Start Up, Market Research, Managing Interns, Online Content, Fundraising
Assistant, Site Manager
Vanfest, Forbes. Oct 2015 - Nov 2015.
Events Management, Site Management, Working with a team and vendors alike.
Stage Manager
No Limit Sounds, Bathurst. Jun 2015- Oct 2015.
Run sheets, Riders, Artist Liaison and Management.
President
The Combined Residents Association. Oct 2014 - Oct 2015.
Events Management, Residential Events at Charles Sturt University.
Social Media & Online Content Coordinator
Queensland's Futures Institute. Jul 2015 - Oct 2015.
Coordination of online content, the creation of a voice for the organisation.
Production Manager
Village Fair Music Festival Bathurst. May 2014 - May 2015.
Pitches, Management, Budgeting, Planning, Leading Others, Artist Interaction, Advertising,
Holding Meetings and Meeting Deadlines.
Orientation Week Coordinator
Charles Sturt University, Bathurst . Oct 2014 - May 2015.
Social Media, Content and Events, Designing Posters, Working with the team,
sponsors and businesses alike.
Residential Advisor
Charles Sturt University, Bathurst. Oct 2013 - Nov 2014.
Ally Training, Mental Health Work, Team Work, Events Management, Budgeting.
Education
Bachelor of Communications (Public Relations)
Charles Sturt University, Bathurst. 2015-2016.
Graduating with two Excellences in Administration
& President of 2015 CSU Club of the Year.
Bachelor of Communications (Theatre/Media)
Charles Sturt University, Bathurst. 2012-2014.
Graduated with Bathurst 200 Events Management Scholarship.
