Executive Dean, First Year College

About the Organisation

Victoria University (VU), founded in 1992 with a proud heritage stretching back to 1916, is a world-class institution with a vision to become a global leader in dual-sector education and research by 2028. Melbourne’s own VU is a bold and progressive university, evidenced by the implementation of the Australian first VU Block Model^® and VU First Year College^®, renowned as a digital innovator in training and highly valued industry collaborator. 

With strong industry connections, VU emphasises innovative, practical, career-focused learning, across a broad range of disciplines. Its modern campuses and diverse, vibrant, and welcoming student community, enables a multitude of real-world opportunities and truly transformative learning experiences. VU has a strategic commitment to being a thriving place to study and work, and celebrates its position as one of Australia’s most culturally and socially diverse universities. Its vibrant international student community plays an integral role in enriching the University’s dynamic learning environment. 

About the Role 

Reporting to the Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Chief Academic Officer, the Executive Dean, First Year College, provides key strategic leadership to ensure VU remains a first-choice institution for students, staff, and industry partners. Contributing to the University’s operational plan, enhancing an excellent student experience by driving the delivery of the innovative VU Block Model through the First Year College, established to enhance first-year undergraduate outcomes by supporting student engagement, retention, and successful transition into university life. A key focus of the role is on enhancing interdisciplinary collaboration and integration in education, research and industry engagement. 

While supporting evolutions in pedagogy, delivery, and technology through initiatives like the newly established VU Block Model Academy, the Executive Dean also oversees course quality, and student retention initiatives, while ensuring the highest standards of academic integrity. Responsibilities also encompass academic and professional staff development, mentoring, and cross-disciplinary collaboration. Championing sustainable, industry-forward educational practices for today’s global challenges, and promoting wellbeing at every stage of the student lifecycle, this leadership position is critical to ensuring VU’s continued growth, impact, and reputation, nationally and internationally. 

About You 

You will bring a suite of credentials to the role, including a PhD and recognition as an international authority in higher education, along with senior executive experience in academic leadership and management. This will be supported by a deep and nuanced knowledge of national and global tertiary education trends, government policy, and funding frameworks. Your penchant for innovative thinking, particularly in relation to transition pedagogy and new and emergent teaching methods, will enable the enhancement of VU’s first-year student experience, and the VU Block Model more broadly, in remarkable ways. Strong commercial acumen, along with the ability to develop strategies for both student growth and program development, will further help to ensure your success in the role. You will demonstrate your commitment to fostering a values-based, collaborative organisational culture, whilst role-modelling ethical, sensitive, responsive leadership, driving meaningful engagement in a multidisciplinary environment. Your financial, portfolio, change management, and quality assurance skills will be well developed, along with your dedication to the highest standards of occupational health and safety. As a collegial, future-focused professional, your experience, vision, presence, and enthusiasm will ensure you make a distinct impact on VU and its educational philosophy, now, and in the years ahead. 

Further Information 

To arrange a confidential discussion about the requirements of the role, please contact Mazin Almaimani via email at Mazin.Almaimani@perrettlaver.com, or by phone on +61 [02] 8075 4605. Alternately, for further information, and/or to directly submit an online application click the 'Apply' button. Your application should include a CV along with a letter and/or statement, outlining your vision, motivation, and the qualities you would bring to the role. 

Applications close at 11:59pm AEDT (Melbourne) on Thursday, 13 February 2025. 

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