Head of School

• 5-year leadership appointment  
• Employment Type: Full time 
• Remuneration: Competitive industry salary package
• Location: Paddington Campus, Sydney, New South Wales (Hybrid Flexible Working)  

About us: 

At UNSW Faculty of Arts, Design & Architecture we use creativity, collaboration and inclusion to seek and solve problems to improve life on earth. Our Faculty’s defining purpose is driven by a desire to listen, challenge, create and share diverse knowledge about people, places and culture. We pride ourselves on delivering world-class teaching and continuing to generate research with real social impact and genuine community engagement.   

The UNSW School of Art & Design is a community of renowned practitioners, researchers and educators spanning contemporary visual arts, creativity, culture, design and innovation. The School blends theory with practice and craft with leading-edge technologies to provide an innovative and inclusive environment to inspire the future of education, research, creative practice and societal impact. 

Please click on the link below to learn more about the School of Art & Design  Faculty of ADA School of Art and Design.pdf. 

Why Your Role Matters: 

The Head of School leads the strategic direction, research performance, student education experience and industry and community engagement of the School. The academic staff of the School of Art & Design report to the Head of School who is supported by the School leadership team – including the School Manager, Deputy Heads of School, Discipline Convenors and Program Directors, and Academic Governance Committees. 

The School of Art & Design is one of six Schools in the UNSW Faculty of Arts, Design & Architecture. The Head of School reports to the Faculty Dean, Professor Claire Annesley and is a member of the Faculty leadership Team (ADALT). The School makes a significant contribution to the goals of the UNSW ADA2051 foundational strategy and UNSW’s Progress For All. 

A continuing academic appointment is negotiable for a candidate with the relevant experience and background. 

Responsibilities: 

Specific responsibilities for this role include (but are not limited to): 

Leadership Responsibilities  

• Develop and implement a strategic vision for the School and that is aligned to the Faculty and University Strategy and engage staff within the School to realise that vision.  
• Establish and maintain a collegial, supportive and productive culture within the School and foster the schools connectivity across the Faculty.  

 Strategic Planning  

• Assist the Dean and Faculty in developing strategy and direction for the School in order to meet agreed objectives.  

• Lead the Program Directors and assist the Associate Dean (Education) in the enrolment planning process.  

 Academic Staff  

• Be responsible for, under the direction of the Dean, recruitment, employment and career development strategies (in compliance with the UNSW Enterprise Agreements), workload allocation, early career support, performance review and management, and promotion.  
• Delegated responsibility from the Dean for management of the School academic staff headcount and EFTSL distribution to the workforce.  

 Operational Matters  

• Manage the implementation of WH&S policies and UNSW Work Health Safety management system across the School and representation of the School on its WH&S Committee.  
• In partnership with the Faculty Executive Director, provide high level advice and management support in relation to the allocation of space and development of facilities required by staff of the Faculty.   

Skills and experience: 

• A respected academic, in an appropriate discipline with an understanding and appreciation of the values and roles of a major university operating in an international context.  
• Extensive experience in people leadership and engagement, with the demonstrated skills to motivate and inspire teams to create a positive workplace culture and deliver quality outcomes. 
• The resilience needed to deal with the challenges and opportunities offered by an ambitious university.  
• A breadth of academic vision and intellectual enthusiasm that encompasses specifically the range of disciplines within the School and broadly across the Faculty.  

• Capacity to articulate a strategic vision for the School and the ability to lead and manage change to achieve the vision and as appropriate coordinate that vision across the Faculty.  
• A strong and proactive leader who can motivate high performance from diverse groups of people across the School.  
• Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills including the ability to encourage staff to achieve their best and to have difficult conversations with under-performing staff where necessary.  

To learn more about this position, and view the comprehensive skills and criteria list, a copy of the Position Description can be found below the ad on our Jobs@unsw careers page.

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. Please submit your application, consisting of a resume and 2-page cover letter as to how your experience aligns to this position, before 9:00am on Thursday 3rd April 2025 (Sydney, Australia time). 

Get in Touch: 

For questions relating to the role please contact: 

Professor Claire Annesley  

Dean, UNSW Arts, Design & Architecture 

claire.annesley@unsw.edu.au                                   

For any questions regarding the recruitment process please contact: 

Persa Tzakis 

Team Leader and Executive Resourcer

p.tzakis@unsw.edu.au   

Please apply online - applications will not be accepted if sent to the contact listed 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.