"Dean, School of Education and Tertiary Access"

The Opportunity

At UniSC we are driven by a bold vision: to become Australia’s premier regional university. Anchored in our mission to enrich our regions, connect with our communities, and create opportunities for all, we are embarking on a transformative journey in higher education. As part of this journey, we are seeking a visionary leader to join us as our Dean, School of Education and Tertiary Access.

This is a senior academic role providing strategic leadership to one of UniSC’s flagship schools. The Dean will be a key member of UniSC’s senior management committee and the Deputy Vice-Chancellor’s Academic leadership team, setting the strategic vision for the School while overseeing operational, human, and financial planning. With a passion for innovation, equity, and sustainability, you will inspire a culture of excellence across teaching, research, and engagement to advance student success and support the university’s mission to transform lives through learning and knowledge.

The School of Education and Tertiary Access is integral to our commitment to regional impact, combining cutting-edge research, exceptional teaching, and industry collaboration. As Dean, you will champion growth, drive interdisciplinary innovation, and foster an inclusive and high-performing environment that empowers staff and students to achieve their best.

You will:

• Lead the School’s academic, research, and operational activities, ensuring alignment with UniSC’s strategic goals.
• Provide visionary leadership to shape the School’s strategic direction and operational excellence.
• Cultivate an inclusive and collaborative culture that inspires staff and students to achieve their full potential.
• Build and strengthen partnerships with industry, government, and the community to expand opportunities for engagement and impact.
• Deliver sustainable growth and continuous improvement across the School’s portfolio.
• uniting them behind a shared vision to drive the School’s success in its next chapter.

About you

You are an exceptional academic leader with a passion for driving transformative change and fostering student success. With a PhD in a relevant discipline and a proven track record of academic leadership at the professor level, you bring expertise in strategic vision setting, operational management, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Your leadership style is inclusive, empowering, and focused on building a culture of innovation and excellence.

You possess strong financial and human resource management capabilities, ensuring the sustainable growth of the School. Your ability to build meaningful partnerships with industry, government, and the community aligns with UniSC’s mission and values. Passionate about equity, diversity, and sustainability, you are committed to advancing regional impact and delivering exceptional outcomes for students and staff.

Essential Criteria

• Significant academic leadership experience with international recognition.
• Proven success in strategic planning and operational management within a higher education environment.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and grow academic programs, fostering teaching and research excellence.
• Strong experience in building partnerships with industry, government, and community organisations to enhance engagement and outcomes.
• Commitment to fostering equity, diversity, inclusion, and sustainability, aligned with UniSC’s strategic priorities.

For further detail please refer to the candidate information page: https://careers.usc.edu.au/dean-school-of-education-and-tertiary-access

How to apply

Applications for this position close 11:55pm (AEDT), Monday 1 December 2025

Your completed application must include:

• Resume
• A cover letter not to exceed one page. This statement should outline your skills, knowledge and qualities that will make you a success at UniSC.
• A response to key selection criteria within the online application form

Position description: PD_ Dean School of School Education and Tertiary Access.pdf

UniSC is an equal opportunity employer, committed to diversity and inclusion. We encourage applications from all backgrounds, including those with disabilities, women in STEM, First Nations Peoples, and individuals of diverse cultures, genders, abilities, and experiences. We value achievement relative to opportunity and encourage your commentary on your achievements in this context. For additional support during the application process, please contact us at unisc-careers@usc.edu.au or call +61 7 5430 2830.

Further information regarding how to prepare your application is available on our website: Join our team