"Director of Faculty Operations"

Job Description:

• Pivotal new role.
• Reshape professional leadership in AUT’s largest faculty.
• Lead operational excellence in this critical position.
• Drive process innovation and professional leadership.
• Based on Auckland’s North Shore.

As one of the world's top 100 young universities and Aotearoa 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 over 4,000 staff based primarily at our three Auckland teaching campuses.

Our Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences/Te Ara Hauora Pūtaiao (FHES) makes a critical contribution to addressing the health and wellbeing for people and planet. Te Tiriti o Waitangi is at the heart of what we do. The faculty is committed to enhancing student equity of outcomes across our programs and to lead the transformation of health professional education for the benefit of the health system and communities in Aotearoa New Zealand. It is AUT's largest faculty with 10,000 students (7,000 EFTS) and over 600 deeply committed Faculty staff, who are focussed on strengthening and enhancing the student experience and contributing meaningful high-quality knowledge advance and research in Health and Environmental Sciences.

Mō te tūranga | About the role

We are seeking a strategic and dynamic Director of Faculty Operations to lead the operational and professional services of one of AUT’s largest faculties, ensuring seamless support for academic and professional staff while driving meaningful change and continuous improvement.

This is a unique opportunity to make a important impact in AUT’s largest faculty. As the senior professional leader in the faculty, you will work closely with the Dean, Te Kāhui (Māori leadership group), and faculty leadership team to deliver on strategic priorities by providing expert advice and leading business operations. A key focus of this role is guiding the faculty through change –developing, implementing, and embedding new workflows, systems and processes that enhance effectiveness and support academic and professional excellence – while also fostering a strong people-centred culture that builds capability and enables clear career pathways and meaningful development opportunities for professional staff.

This is a pivotal leadership role, offering the opportunity to streamline operations, lift capability, and build a culture of high performance, collaboration, and continuous improvement among professional staff. The successful candidate will be a proactive and pragmatic leader who can set direction, roll up their sleeves, and deliver outcomes in a complex environment.

Key focus areas include:

• Strengthen and streamline business operations, creating high-quality, efficient, and consistent services that deliver to AUT’s strategy (Te Kete).
• Champion equity and embrace Te Aronui (AUT’s Te Tiriti framework).
• Lead the implementation of recent organisational changes, including new teams, processes, and ways of working, ensuring teams are supported and transitions are well- managed.
• Align operational planning and service delivery with the faculty’s long-term goals, working closely with the Dean and senior leaders.
• Manage faculty-wide risk portfolio, develop robust policies, and ensure alignment with AUT’s legislative and compliance requirements, including Health, Safety and Wellbeing.
• Oversee clinical placement coordination and laboratory operations, ensuring consistency and best practice delivery.
• Lead and develop key professional staff, building capability, fostering collaboration, and enabling teams to excel.

You will be recognised as a culturally capable leader who champions excellence, 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.

He kōrero mōu | About you

This is a unique opportunity to lead a talented team, shape the future of professional services, and contribute to the success of a dynamic, future-focused faculty. If you are a strategic operations leader with proven change management experience and ready for a substantial and impactful role, we’d welcome your application.

Key criteria we are seeking includes:

1. Proven experience in senior operational leadership roles within complex organisations. Demonstrated success in strategic and operational process optimisation, implementing new workflows, and driving innovation and continuous improvement.
2. Expertise in resource management, health & safety and risk management.
3. Strong people leadership skills, with a track record of building high-performing teams and change leadership.
4. Strategic mindset with the ability to balance long-term planning with day-to-day operational excellence.
5. A champion for equity. Capability to support the faculty on its Te Aronui journey.
6. Knowledge of higher education operations is desirable.

Me pēhea te tuku tono | How to apply

Along with your full CV - please ensure to submit a cover letter which explains a) why this particular role (and AUT) is of interest, and b) a statement addressing how you feel you meet the key criteria listed above.

Ngā āhuatanga kei a mātou | What we offer

AUT has fantastic staff benefits including generous leave allowances, free study, an annual personal fund for your continued professional development and free membership to AUT gyms.

Further Information:

• Start date: As soon as possible (to be agreed with the appointee)
• Term: The successful candidate will secure a permanent, full-time appointment (37.5 hours per week).
• Location: The role will be based at AUT’s Akoranga Campus on Auckland’s North Shore.
• For recruitment enquiries: Contact Caroline Cranston, AUT Recruitment Consultant - caroline.cranston@aut.ac.nz. Please note that we will not be responding to enquiries between 19 December 2025 and 7 January 2026.

Te rā aukati | Closing Date: Sunday 1 February 2026 at 11.55pm.

Tohutoro Mahi | Job Reference: 93143

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.