ABOUT THE ROLE

Stanley College is seeking an experienced Head of School to provide academic leadership, performance oversight and strategic direction across an assigned School within our Higher Education portfolio.

Reporting to the Dean of Higher Education, you will be accountable for the effective and sustainable delivery of approved courses across all campuses and delivery modes, ensuring high academic standards, positive student outcomes and a capable, appropriately resourced academic workforce.

Working through Academic Program Managers and other School leaders, you will translate portfolio priorities into consistent course delivery, academic performance and continuous improvement. You will lead a collegial, accountable and student-centred academic culture while managing School-level performance, workforce, resources, risk and delivery.

This is a national leadership role with direct reports including Academic Program Managers, Fieldwork Placement Coordinators, School Manager(s) and discipline-specific academic coordinators or other School roles as the portfolio develops.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

School Leadership, Delivery and Performance

Lead the reliable, effective and sustainable delivery of the School’s approved courses across all campuses, online and blended delivery modes.
Set clear performance expectations for courses, units, Academic Program Managers and academic leaders, monitor performance and ensure underperformance is investigated and addressed.
Oversee delivery readiness, academic calendars, teaching operations and dependencies affecting School performance.
Provide timely, evidence-based reporting to the Dean on School performance, emerging issues, risks and corrective actions.

Academic Quality, Teaching and Assessment

Lead the academic quality of teaching, assessment and academic practice across the School, ensuring approved curricula, assessment requirements and academic policies are implemented consistently.
Oversee course and unit monitoring, moderation, peer review and academic improvement activities through Academic Program Managers and academic teams.
Address teaching, assessment, marking, feedback and academic practice concerns promptly, escalating material risks to the Dean.
Ensure agreed actions arising from student feedback, course monitoring and academic review are implemented and evaluated.

Student Outcomes and Academic Success

Hold Academic Program Managers accountable for course and unit performance, including progression, retention, completion, academic achievement and student satisfaction.
Use reliable academic performance data to identify cohorts, units and assessment points presenting risk and ensure appropriate academic interventions are implemented.
Work collaboratively with Course Progression and Learner Support to coordinate broader responses to student academic needs.

Academic Leadership, Culture and Capability

Lead, develop and hold accountable Academic Program Managers and other direct reports, promoting clear expectations, sound academic judgement and effective escalation.
Build a collegial, accountable and student-centred academic culture across disciplines, campuses and delivery modes.
Ensure academic staff receive effective induction, performance development, scholarly support and opportunities to strengthen teaching capability.
Promote constructive collaboration, professional development and continuous improvement across the School.

Academic Workforce, Resources and Budget

Lead School workforce planning, teaching allocation, succession planning and recruitment proposals to maintain an appropriately qualified, capable and scalable academic workforce.
Balance permanent and sessional academic capacity against enrolment, discipline and delivery requirements.
Monitor workload, capability, capacity and continuity risks and take timely corrective action within delegation.
Undertake teaching, assessment or unit coordination when operationally required to maintain delivery continuity or support discipline capability.
Manage delegated School resources and budgets effectively, including academic staffing costs and resource utilisation.

Multi-Campus and Multi-Modal Delivery

Ensure students receive an academically equivalent experience wherever the School’s courses are delivered.
Establish common School operating expectations while allowing appropriate adaptation to cohort, discipline and campus needs.
Maintain effective academic leadership, communication and escalation across campuses and online/blended delivery.
Identify material variations in delivery, student outcomes or resourcing and require appropriate corrective action.

Curriculum Improvement and Course Implementation

Use teaching evidence, student outcomes, scholarship, industry developments and stakeholder feedback to inform curriculum and assessment improvement.
Work with Teaching and Learning Innovation and Quality Assurance and Compliance (QA&C) to progress approved improvements through the appropriate governance processes.
Lead School-level implementation of approved new and revised courses, including academic staffing, resources, systems, timetabling and delivery readiness.
Ensure Academic Program Managers and teaching teams understand and implement approved curriculum and academic changes consistently.

Governance, Accreditation, Partnerships and Risk

Identify, assess, manage and escalate School-level academic delivery, performance, discipline, staffing and student risks.
Provide authoritative School and discipline advice to the Dean, academic governance bodies and relevant institutional forums.
Maintain productive relationships with QA&C, Course Progression, Learner Support, Teaching and Learning Digital Design, Strategic Partnerships and Operations.
Support professional accreditation and regulatory activities by ensuring School evidence, academic expertise and agreed actions are provided, while QA&C retains responsibility for regulatory assurance and compliance.
Ensure academic requirements for work-integrated learning and placements are defined and monitored, working with Fieldwork Placement Coordinators and Strategic Partnerships while placement sourcing and operational administration remain with the relevant teams.

Workplace Safety and Wellbeing

Exercise due diligence as a leader to support a safe and healthy working and learning environment.
Ensure hazards, incidents and psychosocial risks within the School are identified, reported and addressed in accordance with College requirements.
Model and reinforce workplace health, safety and wellbeing policies and procedures, as well as professional, respectful and inclusive conduct.

Role Scope and Authority

Provide academic leadership and operational oversight for the assigned School within College policies, delegations, budget and strategic direction.
Lead School performance, staffing, resources and delivery, with authority to make operational decisions within approved delegations.
Monitor academic performance and risks, take appropriate corrective action and escalate material matters where required.
Work collaboratively with relevant central teams, recognising established institutional responsibilities for regulatory compliance, student support, placements, learning design and academic administration.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Academic and Leadership Experience

A doctoral qualification, or equivalent academic/professional standing, in a discipline relevant to the School is strongly preferred.
Substantial academic leadership experience within higher education, including responsibility for course delivery, academic staff, performance and continuous improvement.
Demonstrated experience leading teaching quality, assessment standards, student outcomes, academic workforce planning and performance improvement.
Proven ability to lead through Academic Program Managers and academic leaders, set clear expectations and address performance issues effectively.
Evidence of continuing scholarship and academic or professional standing appropriate to the School’s discipline portfolio.

Higher Education and Regulatory Knowledge

Experience operating within a TEQSA-regulated higher education environment and contributing effectively to academic governance, quality assurance and regulatory requirements.
Strong knowledge of higher education course delivery, assessment, academic standards, academic governance and student success practices.
Sound understanding of the Higher Education Standards Framework (HESF), Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF), TEQSA expectations and, where applicable, professional accreditation and CRICOS requirements.

Strategic and Operational Capability

Strong capability in academic performance analysis, workforce planning, resource allocation, risk management and budget stewardship.
Proven ability to lead through Academic Program Managers and academic leaders, set clear expectations and address underperformance constructively and decisively.
Ability to balance discipline-specific academic leadership with institution-wide consistency and cross-functional collaboration.
Highly developed academic judgement, communication, influencing and stakeholder-management skills.

Delivery and Professional Standing

Experience leading multi-campus, online and/or blended delivery is highly desirable.
Demonstrated ability to work effectively across academic and corporate functions and build productive stakeholder relationships.
Demonstrated commitment to student-centred education, academic quality, continuous improvement, professional integrity and a safe, inclusive and respectful learning environment.

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

At Stanley College, you’ll be part of a people first organisation where your contribution genuinely matters. We offer a welcoming, inclusive, and collaborative workplace that supports professional growth while making a meaningful difference in students’ lives.

You’ll work alongside passionate, diverse colleagues in an environment that champions wellbeing, flexibility where possible, and recognition for your efforts. Most importantly, you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing your work directly contributes to delivering career ready education and positive outcomes for students from all backgrounds.

Employee benefits

Work in modern and centrally located campuses
Flexible working arrangements, where operationally possible
Employment Hero Perk Box access
Staff discounts at CU29
24/7 access to a confidential Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT

At Stanley College, we recognise that our people are our greatest asset. Inclusion is good for our team, our students, and the wider community. We are committed to treating all applicants and employees fairly and equitably, regardless of gender, gender identity or expression, marital or civil partnership status, race, colour, national or ethnic origin, social or economic background, disability, religious belief, sexual orientation, or age.

We strive to provide equality of opportunity and an inclusive experience for everyone who works at Stanley College.

Please note: Successful candidates will be required to undergo a National Police Records Check prior to commencing employment.

If this role aligns with your skills and aspirations, we’d love to hear from you. Please submit your CV and a cover letter containing your experience and suitability for this role.

Head of School – Business / Tech & Built Environment jobs

Head of School – Business / Tech & Built Environment