"Director, Institute for Culture and Society"

Lead a globally connected research institute advancing culture, technology and society.

• Senior Staff Executive Level, full time 5 year fixed term with potential for an underlying continuing academic appointment
• Parramatta South campus with flexible working arrangements

The Opportunity

The Institute for Culture and Society (ICS) is a leading interdisciplinary research institute with a 20 year legacy exploring culture, society, technology and environment. As Director, you will steward this legacy while shaping the next phase of ICS’s strategic direction. You will continue building the Institute’s work across humanities and social sciences, strengthening collaboration with STEM and health, and fostering partnerships across the University and beyond.

ICS is also deeply connected to Western’s transnational education hubs in Vietnam, Indonesia and India, and maintains active research partnerships across Southeast Asia, Latin America, Europe and Oceania. The Director will play a key role in developing the Institute’s global reputation, growing its standing in international rankings and strengthening its network of partnerships.

You will lead the next cycle of strategic planning in a resource constrained environment, setting the agenda for ICS and engaging with industry, government, community partners and philanthropy. This includes actively shaping and responding to the opportunities emerging across Greater Western Sydney, one of Australia’s most dynamic and diverse regions. Working closely with the ICS Operations Committee and senior colleagues, you will ensure the Institute maintains research excellence, financial sustainability and a thriving interdisciplinary culture.

To learn more about the work and members of ICS, explore the ICS website and social media channels here:

• Institute for Culture and Society
• https://www.facebook.com/westsyduics/

What Success Looks Like:

• Delivering a clear strategic agenda that strengthens ICS’s research impact, reputation and partnerships
• Building interdisciplinary research programs spanning humanities and social sciences, and beyond including health and STEM
• Securing competitive and industry linked research funding that enables sustainable research growth
• Cultivating a collaborative and high performing research culture with strong mentoring across career stages
• Ensuring effective governance, communication and resource management across the Institute

Please refer to the Position Description for full details.

About You

• Recognised international research profile supported by strong publications, grants and networks
• Demonstrated ability to lead interdisciplinary research teams across diverse fields
• Capacity to set strategic vision, guide organisational planning and enable long term research sustainability
• Strong leadership capability including mentoring, workforce development and performance management
• Commitment to equity, Indigenous advancement and research impact beyond academia

Benefits

We invest in the people who make our mission possible. Beyond a rewarding career, we offer a suite of benefits designed to support your physical, financial, and family wellbeing:

• Fitness Passport: Access hundreds of gyms and pools across the state through salary-packaging options.
• Onsite Childcare: Convenient facilities with exclusive staff discounts and salary packaging options.
• Financial Benefits: Salary sacrifice options for onsite parking and novated motor vehicle leasing,
• Holistic Support: Free Employee Assistance Program (EAP) along with discounted retail and private health cover.