Associate Dean Academic at Auckland University of Technology

• Join New Zealand’s university of opportunity
• Lead the faculty’s academic strategy, innovation and staff development
• Play a critical role within the Dean’s Faculty Executive team

As one of the world’s top 100 young universities and New Zealand’s newest, Auckland University of Technology (AUT) is a university of opportunity where all students with talent and potential have the chance to succeed. We are a socially-driven university with equity and excellence central to our purpose and actions, and we offer a stimulating teaching and research environment with strong connections to government, business, and industry. AUT has more than 26,000 students and almost 4,000 staff based primarily at our three Auckland teaching campuses.

For our Faculty of Design and Creative Technologies Faculty (DCT), disruption is our purpose and our passion. We imagine the unimaginable and envision our future environments. We are dynamic, innovative and recognise that design as a discipline is central to advancing transdisciplinary learning and research at university level. DCT is an outward looking and inspiring hub of significant size and scale, with 450 FTE staff serving as the locus of activity for five very distinct discipline areas: architecture and built environment, art and design, creative technologies, communication and media studies, and engineering, computer and mathematical sciences. Student projections are positive for 2025, programmes have gone through significant reform and our research is on an upward trajectory. We are experiencing growth in external engagement and the outlook is exciting, it’s an exceptionally good time to consider joining us!

The opportunity | Te Whiwhinga mahi 

The faculty is seeking an innovative new Associate Dean Academic (ADA) to become a key member of the Faculty’s Executive team. Expanding pedagogical practice to better integrate technology enhanced learning and blended and hybrid learning, this role requires a visionary leader with a passion for emerging technologies, innovation and advancement. We expect cutting edge approaches that will take us to the next level. The role will also be responsible for ensuring that best practices are disseminated and shared both internally and externally to enhance the reputation of the FDCT and AUT. The ADA will support the quality assurance of Faculty teaching and learning and foster a culture of continuous improvement.

Key focus areas include:

• Lead the development of innovative academic practices that advance personalised learning and the overall quality of our educational offer to students.
• Lead the implementation of advances in learning technologies and digital and multimode practices in teaching and learning.
• Uplift the academic capability and capacity of our academic community. Work closely with our Office of Learning, Teaching and Educational Design and other key stakeholders to develop and implement new programs for staff academic development.
• Foster a positive culture of academic excellence by leading academic debate relating to research in teaching and learning.
• Work closely with numerous internal and external stakeholders including the Faculty Dean, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic, Pro-Vice Chancellor Learning & Teaching, other FDCT Associate Deans, Heads of School and relevant professional bodies.
• Active contribution to faculty, university and academic-related committees.

You will support the Faculty’s next steps in its Te Tiriti o Waitangi journey and our teaching, learning and assessment guided by the university’s Te Kete strategy.

You will be recognised as a culturally capable leader who champions inclusivity and diversity, and is committed to creativity and innovation! Your ability to listen, connect, collaborate, communicate and influence will be critical – as will be your strong respect for others. A resolute, robust and positive attitude is essential.

 How to apply | Me pēhea te tuku tono

We welcome applications from ambitious senior learning and teaching leaders. Along with your academic CV, please submit a) a cover letter explaining why this particular role (and AUT) is of interest, and b) a statement addressing how your experience aligns with the key selection criteria we’re seeking below: 

1. A PhD and record of academic achievement suitable for appointment as a professor (preferably) or an associate professor. Please highlight relevant cross-disciplinary contributions.
2. Disciplinary expertise within an existing area of our faculty.
3. Extensive experience in Learning and Teaching (preferably supported with a Learning and Teaching qualification).
4. Leadership of strategic developments in innovative student-centred teaching and assessment practices, and the use of emerging teaching technologies in delivery. Please highlight successes with integration of technology-enhanced learning and how they might be adapted as tools in a higher education pedagogical environment.
5. Sound practical knowledge in the field of higher education pedagogy. Leadership experience acquired through arenas relevant to our Faculty’s disciplines is desirable.
6. A champion for equity, with proven ability advancing outcomes for underrepresented student groups. Demonstrated experience enacting Te Tiriti o Waitangi in another University is highly desirable.
7. Applicants are welcome to add further comments they may feel of relevance.

Further Information:

• Start date: The successful candidate would ideally join AUT in mid-late 2025 (to be agreed).
• Location: The role will be based at AUT’s City Campus.
• Term: The successful candidate will secure a permanent substantive academic appointment. They will be seconded for an initial three-year term to the role of Associate Dean Academic (with the option for renewal, by mutual agreement).
• Salary: Aligned with the appropriate step in AUT’s academic pay scales (Professor range: NZD $162,608 – $209,052; Associate Professor NZD $148,548 – $171,983). An Associate Professor also receives a special responsibilities allowance for the role of Associate Dean Academic.
• For recruitment enquiries: Contact Mike Wood, Executive Recruitment Partner – mike.wood@aut.ac.nz

Closing date for applications: Sunday 4 May at 11.55pm

Reference: 91953