Julie has a strong track record of leadership in higher education. As Vice President, Strategy and Culture at the University of Melbourne, her responsibilities encompass University strategy and planning, communications and marketing, government, civic, cultural and community engagement, governance, and museums and collections. Prior to that, she led strategy and major project development at the University (as Vice Principal Policy and Projects) and between 2009 and 2014 was University Secretary and Vice-President at RMIT University. Over her career she has worked in roles spanning secondary education, academia, union leadership, and Government.

She is a member of Chief Executive Women and member of the Board of Science Gallery International. She is a member of the City of Melbourne Invest Melbourne Advisory Board, and the Advisory Board of the Global Institute for Innovation Districts. She is a former member of Melbourne University Publishing, Engagement Australia and the Council for the Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences.