"Associate Dean Postgraduate"

Job Description:

• Join New Zealand's university of opportunity
• Lead the faculty's academic strategy, innovation and staff development
• Play a critical role within the Dean's Faculty Executive team

As one of the world's top 100 young universities and New Zealand's newest, Auckland University of Technology (AUT) is a university of opportunity where all students with talent and potential have the chance to succeed. We are a socially-driven university with equity and excellence central to our purpose and actions, and we offer a stimulating teaching and research environment with strong connections to government, business, and industry. AUT has more than 26,000 students and almost 4,000 staff based primarily at our three Auckland teaching campuses.

For our Faculty of Design and Creative Technologies Faculty (DCT), disruption is our purpose and our passion. We imagine the unimaginable and envision our future environments. We are dynamic, innovative and recognise that design as a discipline is central to advancing transdisciplinary learning and research at university level. DCT is an outward looking and inspiring hub of significant size and scale, with 450 FTE staff serving as the locus of activity for five very distinct discipline areas: architecture and built environment, art and design, creative technologies, communication and media studies, and engineering, computer and mathematical sciences. Student numbers are positive for 2025, programmes have gone through significant reform and our research is on an upward trajectory. Our high growth areas are currently in The School of Engineering, Computer and Mathematical Sciences (ECMS) and The School of Future Environments. We are experiencing growth in external engagement and the outlook is exciting, it's an exceptionally good time to consider joining us!

The opportunity | Te Whiwhinga mahi

The faculty is seeking an innovative new Associate Dean Postgraduate (ADPostgrad) to become a key member of the Faculty's Executive team. You will provide strategic leadership and oversight for all postgraduate activities including enhancing the overall postgraduate student experience and ensuring equitable access to and outcomes. We are looking for a leader who is willing to challenge the status quo and take us to the next level. We are in growth mode, and this is an exciting time to be a part of our executive team. There will be opportunity for new policy development, budget management and partnering across the university.

Key focus areas include:

• Providing strategic direction and governance for postgraduate activities across DCT
• Overseeing the delivery, quality, and accessibility of taught postgraduate programmes, ensuring alignment with AUT and faculty goals, fostering continuous improvement, and supporting equitable student outcomes.
• Overseeing and supporting all aspects of postgraduate research, from admissions to completion, ensuring regulatory compliance and fostering research excellence.
• Uplifting the postgraduate capability and capacity of our academic community.
• Working closely with internal and external stakeholders including the Faculty Dean, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic, Pro-Vice Chancellor Learning & Teaching, other FDCT Associate Deans, Heads of School and relevant professional bodies.
• Active contribution to faculty, university and academic-related committees.

You will support the Faculty's next steps in its Te Tiriti o Waitangi journey and our teaching, learning and assessment guided by the university's Te Kete strategy.

You will be recognised as a culturally capable leader who champions inclusivity and diversity, and is committed to creativity and innovation! Your ability to listen, connect, collaborate, communicate and influence will be critical - as will be your strong respect for others. A resolute, robust and positive attitude is essential.

How to apply | Me pēhea te tuku tono

We welcome applications from ambitious mid - senior level academics. Along with your academic CV, please submit a) a cover letter explaining why this particular role (and AUT) is of interest, and b) a statement addressing how your experience aligns with the key selection criteria we're seeking below:

1. A PhD and record of academic achievement suitable for appointment as a professor or an associate professor (preferably).
2. Disciplinary expertise within an existing area of our faculty.
3. Extensive experience in postgraduate supervision.
4. Sound practical knowledge in the field of postgraduate study.
5. Leadership experience and capability relevant to our Faculty's disciplines is desirable.
6. A champion for equity, with proven ability advancing outcomes for underrepresented student groups. Demonstrated experience enacting Te Tiriti o Waitangi is highly desirable.
7. Applicants are welcome to add further comments they may feel of relevance.

Further Information:

• Start date: The successful candidate would ideally join AUT in early 2026 (to be agreed).
• Location: The role will be based at AUT's City Campus.
• Term: The successful candidate will secure a permanent substantive academic appointment. They will be seconded for an initial three-year term to the role of Associate Dean Postgraduate (with the option for renewal, by mutual agreement).
• Salary: Aligned with the appropriate step in AUT's academic pay scales (Professor range: NZD $162,608 - $209,052; Associate Professor NZD $148,548 - $171,983). An additional annual allowance is paid for the Associate Dean responsibilities.
• Closing date: Tuesday 30 September at 10.30pm
• Reference: 93104
• Posted: 02/09/2025