Advancing Psychology Leadership in Australian Higher Education

Bond University on the Gold Coast is inviting applications for a pivotal senior academic position that combines professorial duties with strategic leadership of its Psychology and Social Sciences programs. This continuing appointment as Professor paired with a five-year term as Head of School represents a distinctive opportunity for an experienced academic to shape the future of clinical and applied psychology education at one of Australia’s most distinctive private institutions.

The role sits within the Faculty of Society & Design and carries responsibility for high-quality accredited programs that prepare graduates for registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency. With mental health services in high demand across the country, leaders who can strengthen curriculum, research output and clinical training pipelines play an essential part in addressing workforce needs while maintaining rigorous professional standards.

Bond University’s Distinctive Position in the Sector

Bond University operates as Australia’s first private not-for-profit university, located in Robina on the Gold Coast in Queensland. Its model emphasises personalised student experiences, intensive teaching modes and strong industry connections. The university consistently receives high marks for teaching quality and learner engagement, particularly in psychology-related disciplines.

Within the Faculty of Society & Design, the School of Psychology and Social Sciences contributes to a broad portfolio that includes criminology, counselling and behaviour management alongside core psychological science. The school maintains active research groups focused on mental health, social wellbeing and human-environment interactions, supporting both undergraduate and postgraduate pathways.

The Changing Landscape of Psychology Training in Australia

Australia’s psychology workforce faces ongoing pressures from rising demand for mental health support. Recent reviews by the Psychology Board of Australia highlight the need for more efficient training pathways while preserving high standards of competence. Discussions around shortening the traditional six-year sequence to registration reflect efforts to expand access to qualified practitioners without compromising safety or quality.

Accredited programs such as those offered at Bond prepare students for general registration and, in the case of the Master of Psychology (Clinical), for area-of-practice endorsement. These pathways require close alignment with Australian Psychology Accreditation Council standards and ongoing engagement with AHPRA processes. Strong academic leadership ensures programs remain responsive to regulatory changes and evolving community needs.

Broader higher education trends show recovering domestic application numbers and sustained interest in fields that support wellbeing. Institutions that combine robust research cultures with practical clinical training are well placed to attract both students and staff committed to impact.

Core Responsibilities of the Head of School Role

The successful appointee will provide strategic direction across education, research and engagement activities. Key duties include curriculum oversight, accreditation compliance and continuous improvement in teaching and learning outcomes. The role also encompasses workforce planning, staff performance development and fostering an inclusive, high-performing academic environment.

Operational leadership extends to the Bond University Health & Wellness Clinic, where psychology services support student training and community access. The Head of School works closely with the Clinic Director and Deputy Director to ensure high-quality supervised placements that meet professional requirements.

Research leadership forms another pillar. The position involves strengthening the school’s research profile through staff mentoring, interdisciplinary collaboration and pursuit of external funding. Maintaining a personal research agenda appropriate to professorial level remains an expectation within the balanced workload model.

Ideal Candidate Profile and Essential Qualifications

Applicants must hold a PhD in psychology or a closely aligned discipline together with full registration (or eligibility) as a psychologist with AHPRA. Clinical psychology endorsement is viewed favourably given the school’s focus on accredited clinical programs.

Demonstrated success in academic leadership is essential. This includes experience developing and delivering psychology curricula, leading program accreditation efforts and managing assessment and quality assurance processes. Candidates should also show capacity to build collegial cultures, manage workloads equitably and engage effectively with external stakeholders including professional bodies and community partners.

An established or emerging national or international research record, combined with a commitment to nurturing research activity among colleagues and higher-degree students, rounds out the profile. Highly developed communication and relationship skills are required to represent the discipline both internally and externally.

Supporting Student Success and Research Excellence

Effective leadership in this area directly influences graduate outcomes. Bond’s psychology programs emphasise hands-on experience, small class sizes and strong student support. The Head of School plays a central role in sustaining these strengths while adapting to new pedagogical approaches and regulatory expectations.

Research activity within the school spans experimental psychology, psychophysiology, mental health intersections with social factors and cognitive ageing. Strengthening these areas supports the university’s broader strategic priorities and contributes to national conversations on wellbeing and human behaviour.

Stakeholders including current students, alumni, placement providers and professional associations all benefit from stable, visionary leadership that maintains accreditation status and enhances reputation.

Implications for Australian Higher Education and Workforce Development

Senior appointments such as this one influence the pipeline of qualified psychologists entering the workforce. With mental health remaining a national priority, universities that invest in strong program leadership help address shortages while upholding professional standards.

The role also models collaborative governance within faculties. By participating in extended executive decision-making, the Head of School contributes to institutional planning that balances teaching excellence, research performance and community engagement.

Opportunities for staff and student mobility, international partnerships and interdisciplinary projects are enhanced when schools are led by individuals with both scholarly credibility and relational acumen.

Application Process and Key Dates

Applications close at 23:59 on Wednesday 15 July 2026. Candidates should submit a curriculum vitae and cover letter addressing the selection criteria outlined in the position descriptions. The search is supported by executive search firm The Insight Group, which can provide a detailed candidate information pack upon request.

Confidential discussions are available through the search consultants. Pre-employment requirements include verification of work rights, reference checks and qualification verification. Preferred candidates will also complete a Gender-Based Violence Declaration in line with national higher education guidelines.

Bond University encourages applications from diverse backgrounds and is committed to equal opportunity principles.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Academic Leadership in Psychology

As higher education continues to adapt to demographic shifts, technological change and evolving student expectations, roles that combine professorial scholarship with school-level strategy become increasingly valuable. Leaders who can integrate clinical training, research advancement and operational excellence will help position their institutions for sustained success.

For accomplished academics motivated by quality, collegiality and measurable impact, this appointment offers a platform to influence the next generation of psychologists and contribute to broader societal wellbeing goals.

Prospective applicants are encouraged to review the full position descriptions available on the Bond University careers site and to contact the search firm for further details.