Director, Education Innovation Lab

• Shape next-generation learning at a leading university
• Full-time, 5-years fixed term (with ongoing underlying position), Hawthorn campus
• Academic Level E + salary loading and 17% superannuation

About the Role

The Director, Education Innovation Lab is a unique academic leadership role responsible for establishing and leading Swinburne’s Education Innovation Lab as a flagship, university-wide platform for future-focused educational innovation.

Reporting to the Pro Vice-Chancellor, Educational Innovation, the Director will provide strategic leadership to anticipate emerging futures of education and drive the design, testing and validation of new approaches to curriculum, pedagogy, assessment and learner experience. The role will lead a portfolio of programs spanning futures exploration, design-led incubation and rapid prototyping, ensuring that insights and validated models can be translated into scalable institutional practice.

Working in partnership with academic and professional leaders across the University, as well as industry, EdTech and global collaborators, the Director will position the Lab as a catalyst for transformation. The role will also foster a culture of disciplined experimentation, enabling Swinburne to explore bold educational possibilities while maintaining academic quality and integrity.

About the Education Innovation Lab

The Education Innovation Lab is Swinburne’s central platform for educational innovation, focused on systemic transformation across teaching, learning, policy and practice. It brings together educators, students, professional staff and industry partners to reimagine how education is designed, delivered and experienced, responding to complex challenges through collaborative experimentation and rapid prototyping.

About You

You are an accomplished academic leader with an internationally recognised track record in educational innovation, futures of education, design-led change or related fields. You bring a combination of experience across higher education and industry, enabling you to connect academic thinking with real-world application and shape future-focused education models.

You have demonstrated success leading complex initiatives and bring expertise in futures thinking, emerging technologies and design-led innovation. A collaborative and influential leader, you build strong partnerships, lead high-performing teams and translate innovative ideas into practical, scalable outcomes.

*Please refer to the link at the bottom of this page to view the position description.*

Qualifications

• A doctoral qualification in a relevant discipline.
• Recognition as a leading authority in education innovation, learning and teaching or higher education transformation.

About Swinburne University of Technology

Swinburne’s strategy draws upon our understanding of future challenges. We choose to build Swinburne as the prototype of a new and different university – one that is truly of Technology, of Innovation and of Entrepreneurship. We are committed to a differentiated university proposition in education and research.

Our Ad Astra strategy is the cornerstone of Swinburne’s bold ambition to lead globally in technology-driven education and research. This strategy positions us to create transformative solutions, empower learners, and partner with industry to thrive in an ever-changing world.

What We Offer You!

• Work your way with flexible working arrangements, including hybrid options and generous parental leave to support a balanced lifestyle.
• Exclusive staff discounts, including discounted Medibank health insurance, 50% off Swinburne courses and other partner offers.
• Swinburne offers 17% super and salary packaging options, including car leasing and extra super contributions.

Want to learn more? Head over to our benefits page!

To Apply

Swinburne University will be supported in its global search for this position by the executive search firm - The Insight Group.

For a confidential discussion about this opportunity or to apply, please contact Dr. Rohan Carr or Ms. Emily Witts at The Insight Group via applications@insightgroup.com.au or by phone on +61 3 9654 3288.

To review the Position Description, please scroll down to the bottom of the page.

Please Note: Appointment to this position is subject to passing a Working with Children Check.

If you are experiencing technical difficulties with your application, please contact the Swinburne Talent Acquisition Team on talentacquisition@swin.edu.au

Applications Close: Friday, 15 May 2026 at 11:30pm AEST.

Swinburne offers flexible working options contained in our leave and parenting/carer policies to support work-life balance.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Swinburne has become a world-class university, driving social and economic impacts through science, technology, and innovation. As a dual-sector university, our vision is for people and technology working together to build a better world.

Central to our vision is our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We pride ourselves on being an equal opportunity employer focused on attracting, retaining, and developing great talent. We work to remove barriers related to gender identity, culture, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, and age.

We strongly encourage applicants from diverse Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Our Moondani Toombadool Centre leads our Indigenous education and culture at Swinburne, guided by community wisdom and leadership.

We support applicants with disabilities. Adjustments can be requested at any time during the recruitment process. For Reasonable Adjustment requests, including accessible formats for the PD, application form or any other document, please contact at DCR@swin.edu.au or call +61 3 9214 3550.

Please note the above number and DCR email address are for disability or reasonable adjustments queries only. General enquiries about the role can be sent to talentacquisition@swin.edu.au (general enquiries will not be answered by phone).

Victoria’s Commitment to Action: Improving international student employment outcomes.

As a signatory to Victoria’s Commitment to Action, Swinburne seeks to remove barriers to international graduate employment. We welcome and encourage applications from international graduates.

As a Circle Back Initiative Employer, we commit to responding to every applicant.

#LI-SW

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