Associate Professor & Head of Program (Dean) - Education

About VU:

At VU, we aim to be one of the leading impact universities in the world. VU is an impactdriven university committed to equity, excellence and opportunity. Based in Melbourne's west and connected globally, we put students first through the VU Block Model, dualsector pathways and strong industry partnerships. We are a valuesled, inclusive workplace where diverse talent is supported to make a real difference.

About the Role:

Victoria University is seeking an exceptional academic leader to join our College of Arts, Business, Law, Education, Early Childhood Education and Information Technology as our new Head of Program - Education.

This is an exciting opportunity for an accomplished educator, researcher and leader to drive the strategic direction, growth and success of our Education Program while contributing to Victoria University's bold ambition of becoming a global leader in dual-sector learning and research by 2028.

Reporting to the Executive Dean, the Head of Program will provide leadership across all aspects of the Education discipline including teaching and learning excellence, research performance, staff development, industry engagement and program growth.

As Head of Program, you will:

• Provide strategic and operational leadership for the Education Program.
• Lead the development, implementation and continuous improvement of undergraduate and postgraduate curriculum offerings.
• Support and mentor academic and professional staff to foster a high-performing and collaborative culture.
• Drive research excellence through competitive grant acquisition, industry partnerships and high-quality research outputs.
• Lead course accreditation and quality assurance activities.
• Strengthen relationships with schools, industry partners, government agencies and professional bodies.
• Represent the program and Victoria University in external forums and professional networks.
• Contribute to the broader strategic priorities of the College and University.

This appointment includes an initial five-year term as Head of Program.

Position Details:

• Classification: Level D
• Salary: $166,999 - $183,978 per annum + 17% employer superannuation
• Employment Type: Ongoing (5 year fixed term role as Program head and Dean of Education)
• Hours per week: 36.75
• Location: Primarily Footscray and Nicholson Campuses, with travel to other Victoria University campuses as required.

For a detailed overview of the role's duties and responsibilities, please refer to the Head of Program Education Position Description

About You:

You are an innovative, collaborative and strategic leader with a passion for education and a commitment to excellence in teaching, learning and research.

To be successful in this role you will possess:

• A doctoral qualification in Education or a closely related discipline.
• National and international recognition as an authority in Education or a cognate field.
• A demonstrated ability to lead, mentor and develop academic teams.
• A strong track record of research excellence, publications and attracting external funding.
• Experience in curriculum design, course leadership and program accreditation.
• A proven ability to build partnerships across academia, industry, government and community sectors.
• Experience supervising higher degree research students.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder engagement and leadership capabilities.
• A deep understanding of the regulatory framework in which Initial Teacher Education operates in Victoria and Australia.

Experience leading teams of academic staff and expertise in online and blended learning environments will be highly regarded.

Please note: The University is a Child Safe organisation.You willbe requiredto hold a current Employee - Working with Children Check (WWCC) or be willing to obtain one prior tocommencingemployment.

Who to Contact?

Name: Rob Strathdee
Position Title: Executive Dean, College of Arts, Business, Law, Education and IT
Email: [email protected]

How to Apply:

To submit your application please click on the Apply button.

Applications must be submitted as a single document comprising:

• A cover letter
• Your curriculum vitae/resume
• Your responses addressing all selection criteria located in the position description
• Evidence of applicable qualifications, licences and registration

Note: Applications which do not address the Key Selection Criteria will NOT be considered.

Applications will close Sunday 26 July 2026 at 11:59pm.

Why Join VU:

VU provides competitive salaries, excellent superannuation, and a variety of benefits. The university fosters an environment where staff can excel, achieve their goals, and develop their careers. With a focus on diversity, inclusion, and family-friendly policies, VU supports both professional and personal well-being. For more information, please visit ourCareers at VU Webpage

Our Commitment:

Victoria University is committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and socially responsible community. We honour our deep diversity by respecting First Nations perspectives and embedding sustainable approaches to Protecting Country, while championing progressive inclusivity for all-embracing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with disability, culturally and racially marginalised communities, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and people of all ages and socioeconomic backgrounds. As aWGEA Employer of Choice for Gender Equality, we strive to create a place where everyone feels they belong, and we ensure a positive, barrierfree recruitment experience by providing adjustments and accessible formats upon request at [email protected] or (03) 9919 5999