"Dean/Head of School"

• Lead boldly, shape the future
• Join a law school committed to equity, innovation and excellence
• 5-year fixed term appointment based at AUT’s City Campus

Auckland University of Technology (AUT) is centred on students and grounded in Knowledge that Works driven by talented, progressive people. We are New Zealand’s newest university, ranked 5-stars by QS Universities 2025 and a place of opportunity where more than 27,000 students with talent and potential succeed, supported by a community of more than 4,000 staff based primarily across three Auckland campuses. Built on collaboration, shared purpose and the values of Pono (fact, truth, reality, integrity), Tika (acting accordingly, doing what is needed, ethical expression), and Aroha (empathy, care, compassion). AUT offers an innovative, forward-thinking environment where committed people work together to improve outcomes for students, communities, and the world.

AUT recognises the importance of Te Tiriti, Māori and Pacific knowledge, leadership, and contribution across our university and is committed to creating environments where these communities can thrive. We embrace diversity in all its forms and are proud to welcome people of all ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, religious and political beliefs, socio-economic situations and accessibility needs.

AUT’s Law School

Part of AUT’s Faculty of Business, Economics and Law, our Law School is Aotearoa New Zealand’s youngest university law school, founded in 2009 and situated on Auckland’s vibrant City Campus. Our commitment to advancing social justice is well recognised, as is our progress in integrating tikanga Māori into our teaching programme and providing an inclusive environment that nurtures both traditional and non-traditional law students. With strong links to the legal profession, impactful research, and a reputation for innovative and caring teaching, we are uniquely positioned to equip graduates for success in a rapidly evolving legal landscape.

Please review the extensive candidate information handbook available for this role (includes details on the school, faculty, AUT, role position description and more).

The Opportunity | Te Whiwhinga mahi

The AUT Law School seeks a visionary and collegial leader to serve as Dean/Head of School. This is a pivotal moment for our community – a chance for a visionary to build on our progress and steer a young and dynamic law school committed to real-world impact.

As Dean/Head of School, you will lead a team of approximately 35 academic and professional staff, fostering excellence in research, teaching, and engagement with the legal profession. You will have the opportunity to champion innovation, support the integration of tikanga Māori and promote equity for Māori and Pacific students, ensuring our graduates are practice ready and ethically grounded.

This role offers a rare opportunity to shape the next chapter of a law school that makes a tangible difference – particularly for students from diverse backgrounds seeking access to the legal profession. You will have the support of an engaged and approachable Faculty Dean (who this role reports to) and be part of a progressive and well-organised faculty, with the freedom to drive meaningful change.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational leadership in collaboration with the faculty executive team.
• Maintain a strong, independent Law School identity while meeting Council of Legal Education and university requirements.
• Lead and support staff to ensure fair workloads, continuous improvement, and strong student outcomes.
• Promote impactful, investigator-led research and responsive, profession-aligned and research-aligned teaching.
• Drive initiatives in academic integrity, assessment reform, and the integration of emerging technologies, including AI.
• Strengthen national and international partnerships across the legal sector to benefit students and staff.
• Champion our Te Tiriti o Waitangi commitments and support the success of Māori and Pacific learners.

If you are ready to lead a highly talented and forward-thinking school, dedicated to substance over rhetoric, we invite you to apply.

About you | Ko wai koe

You will bring an open, engaging, and collaborative approach, with the flexibility to respond to changing requirements, and actively contribute to a positive and collegial environment. You will demonstrate awareness and respect when engaging with culturally diverse communities. Experience supporting indigenous, equity or inclusion focused initiatives is highly desirable.

We welcome applications from senior legal academics ideally with leadership and staff management experience. The selection criteria sought are:

1. Distinguished academic record in legal education, eligible for appointment as professor (preferably), associate professor, or senior lecturer of high standing.
2. Previous experience line-managing academics. Please detail the size/scale of teams led, as well as other key leadership contributions you may have made (for example, running a research centre, high-level pedagogical innovation and curriculum development etc).
3. A champion for equity, diversity and inclusion. Embracing AUT’s Te Tiriti o Waitangi commitments and ensuring the success of Māori and Pacific learners.
4. Successful track record securing grant funding and external research income.
5. Expertise in enhancing professional practice and building a high-performing team.
6. Evidence of successful cross-disciplinary leadership and contributions.
7. Demonstrated ability developing significant connections and partnerships with key stakeholders including government, industry, the legal profession, business and community.
8. A brief summary of your interest and experience embracing innovation.
9. Applicants are welcome to add further comments they may feel are relevant. A minimum of a master’s degree in law is required.

How to Apply | Me pēhea te tuku tono

Along with your full academic CV (including a complete list of publications and grant acquisitions): please ensure to submit a) a cover letter which explains why this particular role (and AUT) is of interest, and b) a statement addressing how you feel you meet some, or all, of the criteria above.

Further Information:

• Start Date: The successful candidate would join AUT in mid-late-2026 (to be agreed).
• Term: The successful candidate will secure a 5-year fixed-term appointment (with potential for further extension). Please note, this position does not include an additional substantive permanent academic appointment (unless one is already held at AUT).
• Salary: Aligned with the appropriate step in AUT's academic pay scales (Professor range: NZD $166,185 - $214,091; Associate Professor NZD $151,816 - $175,767; Senior Lecturer - $115,908 - $151,557). An additional allowance for the Dean/Head of School responsibilities is also paid.
• Enquiries: For academic enquiries, contact Professor Kate Kearins: Dean, Faculty of Business, Economics and Law - kate.kearins@aut.ac.nz. For recruitment enquiries, contact Mike Wood: AUT Executive Recruitment Partner - mike.wood@aut.ac.nz.

Closing date for applications: Sunday 19 April at 11.55pm

Reference: 93685

At AUT we strive to be a place where people love to work and learn. We are committed to te Tiriti, excellence and inclusivity and aspire to be the University of choice for Māori and Pacific communities. We welcome people of all ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, religious and political beliefs, socio-economic situations and accessibility needs.Please note that all applications must be submitted through the online application process. For further information, please send us an enquiry here or call 921 9499. Please note we are happy to answer your questions but we do not accept applications by email. You will need to apply through the standard registration process.

Nā tō rourou, nā taku rourou ka ora ai te iwi.

With your food basket and my food basket, the people will thrive.