Head, School of Humanities, Languages and Social Science

Full-time
Employment Type: Full Time
Department ID: School of Humanities, Languages and Social Science - LHS
Appointment Type: Fixed Term

Company Description

Every institution values excellence. What matters most is why.

Griffith was created to be a different type of university. You’ll find we’re about leading research, academic excellence, and the transformative power of education. But what sets us apart is why those things matter and how you’ll achieve them.

Why? Griffith brings together exceptional minds like yours from across the globe and from all walks of life. Here, we do incredible work, questioning and challenging, always in the pursuit of excellence.

Arts, Education and Law

Griffith’s Arts, Education and Law Group is the largest and most diverse academic group in the University, encompassing creative and performing arts, law, education, criminology, social science and humanities, and has presence across all five campuses. Focusing on developing programs to prepare students for a changing world, it is also an environment where research can flourish, and our academic community can undertake outstanding scholarship research that makes a major contribution to society.

The School of Humanities, Languages and Social Science (HLSS) is a vibrant intellectual community committed to excellence in teaching, research and engagement across a diverse range of disciplines in the humanities and social sciences. As one of seven schools within Griffith University's Arts, Education and Law Group, HLSS brings together expertise in Creative Writing, History, Literary Studies, Languages, TESOL, Linguistics, Sociology, Human Geography, Indigenous Studies, Islam-West Relations, Journalism, Strategic Communication, Screen Studies, Safety Leadership, Theatre and Archaeology. The School comprises 60 FTE academic staff and six FTE professional staff located across the University’s Nathan and Gold Coast campuses.

The School is home to a dynamic and collegial community of scholars with internationally recognised strengths in research and teaching. Among its academic staff are former ARC Laureates, Future Fellows, DECRA recipients, fellows of learned academies and recipients of national teaching awards. Since 2022, the School has made a significant number of new academic appointments and strengthened its culture of collaboration, excellence and innovation.

HLSS offers a range of innovative undergraduate and postgraduate programs and supports a large, diverse Higher Degree Research (HDR) community. The School maintains strong industry, community and international partnerships, ensuring its teaching addresses contemporary challenges and prepares graduates for life beyond university.

It fosters a vibrant research culture, anchored by the Griffith Centre for Social and Cultural Research (GCSCR), one of the University’s twelve research centres. Together, HLSS and GCSCR enable interdisciplinary collaboration and drive impactful research with real-world benefits. The School also maintains strong connections locally, nationally and internationally through its research, teaching and engagement.

Overall, HLSS is ambitious in its scholarship and collaborative in approach, remaining committed to research, teaching and engagement that create meaningful community impact while looking to the future with confidence.

Job Description

The Head works collaboratively with colleagues inside and outside the School of Humanities, Languages and Social Science to achieve high quality outcomes in all School activities. The role calls for leadership as well as management capabilities, to ensure widespread support for advancing the School's vision and direction, especially its commitment to quality and distinctiveness. The Head of School will design and implement appropriate strategies to enable all academic and administrative staff to achieve the best of their capacity in the context of transparent and efficient governance. As HLSS is a cross-campus School, the Head will provide leadership in maintaining and enhancing the School as a unitary part of the organisation, as well as sound management in ensuring the most efficient delivery of its activities across the two campuses.

The Head represents the School not only within the University, but also externally, and a key part of the role is to represent, promote and advocate for the School in the wider community, both locally and more widely. This includes working with Griffith's Office of Marketing and Communications and the Office of Advancement to build relationships with external groups and individuals, and to secure external funding and other support to help the School achieve its objectives.

This is an exciting opportunity for an innovative leader to shape the future direction of the School. We are looking for a Head with a clear vision and strategic focus to lead the School and further enhance the School's high profile and reputation across Queensland and Australia.

If you are seeking a new challenge and a leadership role where you can make an impact, then we would like to hear from you.

The initial term will be for a period of three to five years with the possibility of renewal. This is a full-time position primarily based at Griffith University Brisbane South (Nathan) or Gold Coast. As Griffith is a multi-site University you may be required to work across other locations. Griffith University’s campuses are located on the lands of the Yugarabul, Yuggera, Jagera, Turrbal, Yugambeh and Kombumerri peoples.

To view the Organisational Chart for the Arts, Education and Law Group, click here.

Salary Range

An attractive salary package will be arranged for the successful candidate.

Qualifications

To be successful in this role you will hold relevant tertiary qualifications up to doctoral level or equivalent accreditation and standing along with proven expertise in the management of significant human and material resources within the higher education sector.

You will also have:

Demonstrated excellence in leadership and management including an ability to enhance and inspire strong, sustainable teams, manage resources within budget, and coordinate a broad range of academic and research functions in line with strategic objectives.
Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills and the ability to inspire students and staff with a clear vision for the School.
An outstanding record of high-quality research and scholarship in a discipline relevant to the School, evidenced by publications, research supervision, external grant funding, and/or other research performance indicators.
Substantial experience in curriculum development, including the management and evaluation of learning and teaching effectiveness and a commitment to innovation and the development of flexible approaches to learning and teaching.
Proven success in working collaboratively and an ability to build highly productive relationships with executives, staff and diverse stakeholders, both internal and external to the University.
High ethical standards and a strong commitment to the principles of equity and social inclusion, responsible leadership and sustainable business practices.

Additional Information

Why Griffith?

As a values-led organisation, at Griffith University, we've worked hard to create a dynamic and strong organisational culture. We offer:

Mix of on campus and work from home options available and a supportive work environment
Salary packaging options and corporate health discounts
Generous leave entitlements and leave loading
Health Safety and Wellbeing initiatives

How to apply

At Griffith, we’re committed to providing a safe and inclusive environment for all - whoever you are and wherever you’re from. If you require any accommodations, we welcome you to let us know so we can work with you to participate fully in our recruitment experience.

Griffith University values diversity, inclusion and flexibility and we encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, and people of all backgrounds to apply. For more information please visit our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion page. Our University is committed to fostering a safe, respectful and inclusive community for all. In alignment with the National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based Violence (2025), Griffith University includes a declaration as part of the recruitment journey to uphold the values and standards of our community. Griffith University also maintains a strict zero-tolerance policy against all forms of modern slavery. For more information, please refer to Griffith’s Modern Slavery Policy.

Please submit your application online and ensure it includes the following:

A covering letter outlining your suitability for the role (please refer to the Qualifications section above and the position description)
Current curriculum vitae/resume including full contact details
Names and contact details of at least three professional referees (no contact will be made without your permission)

Applicants must have unrestricted working rights. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Successful candidates may be subject to a criminal history check.

For further information specifically about this role, please contact Professor Danielle Reynald, Dean (Academic), Arts, Education and Law Group at [email protected]

For application and recruitment advice, please contact Theresa Burke, Talent Acquisition Partner at [email protected]

Closing date: Sunday, 19 July 2026 at 11:59pm AEST. All applications must be submitted online.

Please allow at least 1 – 2 weeks from the closing date to expect an application update.

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