Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic)

The University of Newcastle stands as a global Top 200 University, committed to delivering an exceptional student experience, preparing graduates for life, and with a shared purpose to better our regions and the world. Our 2020-2025 Looking Ahead Strategic Plan captures the spirit of looking to the future to imagine and then realise possibilities, enabled by the values of excellence, equity, engagement and sustainability. Inclusive and culturally responsive, the University has a long and proud history as an innovator in educational outcomes and employment opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

The University seeks a transformational leader to join its Executive Leadership Team as Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) - a pivotal position that offers a pathway to institutional leadership and strategic influence at the highest levels.

The Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) will play a critical role in shaping the University’s academic future, leading the Academic Division, and embedding a culture of innovation, agility, and excellence in learning and teaching across the academic enterprise to drive the collective success of the University.

 A newly expanded portfolio adds further strategic depth to this role, integrating international and domestic student recruitment, global partnerships, student experience, and academic innovation into a holistic, student-centred approach. At the heart of this role is the opportunity to lead the entire student journey, from recruitment through to graduate outcomes. With direct responsibility for key portfolios—including education innovation, student experience, and international partnerships—the Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) will design and implement strategies that uplift student satisfaction and success scores, enhance educational quality, and strengthen the University’s position in a highly competitive global landscape.

Candidates will demonstrate the necessary academic credibility to engage colleagues, as well as the business acumen, to deliver efficient and effective services, complex initiatives, and projects. Candidates will excel in fostering collaboration and engaging effectively across all levels of a complex organisation, driving collective success and inspiring teams to achieve shared goals.

Candidates will also exhibit an appropriate record of education leadership and management experience commensurate with being part of a high performing university leadership team. Outstanding communication skills, and a data-led approach to decision making are essential, as is the ability to influence, inspire, think creatively and exercise sound judgement.

To learn more about this unique opportunity please contact our advising consultants Alun Parry and Vicky Garvey at Boyden on +61 2 9225 7400 or vicky.garvey@boyden.com 

Applications close: 14 April 2025

The University of Newcastle is proud to be one of the first Universities in Australia to achieve SAGE Athena Swan Silver Accreditation for gender equity, diversity, and inclusion (GEDI).

The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.