Associate Dean - Postgraduate Programs and Academic Governance

This is an exceptional opportunity to shape the future of postgraduate education and academic governance within a leading Business School. As a senior academic leader, you will drive innovation, quality, and impact across a diverse postgraduate portfolio and broader Business School education portfolio. Working closely with senior leadership and academic stakeholders, you will influence program strategy, enhance student outcomes, and strengthen portfolio-wide academic governance practices. The role combines strategic oversight with hands-on leadership, offering the chance to build high-performing teams, foster industry engagement, and deliver programs and governance processes recognised for excellence in a competitive global market.

The level of appointment will be commensurate with the candidate’s qualifications and experience.

Some Key Skills Required

• Relevant academic qualifications with a strong track record of excellent educational performance and a strong understanding of postgraduate education and portfolio-wide education governance in a university setting.
• Proven record of management experience and effective leadership and team / relationship building capabilities within a higher education environment.
• Academic Level C-E (or equivalent at an overseas institution) with relevant education leadership and governance experience.
• Demonstrated understanding of strategic and political issues in the higher education sector, as well as of University and Faculty governance and policy and procedural frameworks, including education governance processes across the education portfolio.
• Demonstrated commitment to student welfare and improving student learning experiences and outcomes.
• Clear evidence of political acumen and proven ability to influence, persuade, negotiate and inspire people to act towards a common purpose to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes.
• Ability to ensure a safe, diverse, and respectful working environment which supports high performance and the development of staff.
• The ability to think creatively, to innovate and to implement change within an academic organisation.
• Demonstrated understanding of the delivery of education in a university setting, including an understanding of emerging trends in Business education both within Australia and internationally, or the capacity to quickly develop this understanding.
• Experience with education governance systems, committee processes, program administration platforms and processes, or the capacity to work effectively with such systems, is desirable.
• Exceptional oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to consult widely with stakeholders at all levels, chair or convene education governance meetings where appropriate, and superior presentation attributes and standards.

To learn more about this position and view the full list of criteria, a copy of the Position Description can be accessed by clicking on the position description button below this ad.

Benefits And Culture

People are at the core of everything we do. We recognise it is the contributions of our staff who make UNSW one of the best universities in Australia and the world. Our benefits include:

• Flexible Working Options (work from home, flexible hours etc)
• Career development opportunities
• 17% Superannuation contributions and additional leave loading payments
• Additional 3 days of leave over Christmas period
• Discounts and entitlements (retail, education, fitness)

How To Apply

Make each day matter with a meaningful career at UNSW. Submit your application online before Sunday 26 July 2026 at 11:55pm. A copy of the Position Description can be found on JOBS@UNSW.

You should systematically address the selection criteria listed within the position description in your application.

Pre-Employment Checks

Aligned with UNSW’s focus on cultivating a workplace defined by safety, ethical conduct, and strong integrity preferred candidates will be required to participate in a combination of pre-employment checks relevant to the role they have applied for.

These pre-employment checks may include a combination of some of the following checks:

• National and International Criminal history checks
• Entitlement to work and ID checks
• Working With Children Checks
• Completion of a Gender-Based Violence Prevention Declaration
• Verification of relevant qualifications
• Verification of relevant professional membership
• Employment history and reference checks
• Financial responsibility assessments/checks
• Medical Checks and Assessments.

Compliance with the necessary combination of these checks is a condition of employment at UNSW.

Get In Touch

Anabel Wason
Talent Acquisition Partner
a.wason@unsw.edu.au

Please apply through the application portal and not via the contact above.

UNSW is committed to equity diversity and inclusion. Applications from women, people of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, those living with disabilities, members of the LGBTIQ+ community; and people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent, are encouraged. UNSW provides workplace adjustments for people with disability, and access to flexible work options for eligible staff. The University reserves the right not to proceed with any appointment.

Position Description

Advertised: 06 Jul 2026 AUS Eastern Standard Time

Applications close: 26 Jul 2026 AUS Eastern Standard Time

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