Academic Dean

Academic Dean

Location: Sydney Campus (on-campus with reasonable flexibility)

Employment Type: Full-time

About TIIS

The Institute of International Studies (TIIS) is an accredited Australian higher education provider dedicated to delivering high-quality, industry-relevant programs in business, Accounting, IT, Cyber Security and other related disciplines. We pride ourselves on fostering a collaborative and student-centred learning environment, underpinned by academic excellence, innovation, and professional integrity.

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced Academic Dean to provide visionary and strategic leadership across all academic operations of the Institution. Reporting to the CEO and working closely with the Chair of the Academic Board, the Academic Dean is responsible for academic governance, quality assurance, curriculum and assessment, course development and review, scholarly activity , and student academic success.

This role offers the opportunity to shape TIIS's academic future, ensure compliance with national standards, and creating a dynamic and supportive learning environment for students and staff.

Key Responsibilities

Academic Leadership & Governance

• Lead the development and delivery of TIIS's academic vision and learning and teaching strategy aligned to institutional goals.
• Provide authoritative advice to the CEO and Academic Board; lead key committees
• Oversee academic policies, systems, and risk management to ensure academic integrity and effective governance.
• Represent TIIS with regulators, professional bodies, industry and partner institutions.

Quality Assurance & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with the Higher Education Standards Framework (HESF) and TEQSA requirements across all programs and campuses.
• Lead evidence-gathering and reporting for provider re-registration, course accreditation/re-accreditation, and material change applications.
• Monitor and report academic KPIs (student progression, retention, completions, assessment moderation, student feedback, and scholarly activity).
• Drive continuous improvement through scheduled reviews, benchmarking and targeted action plans.

Curriculum, Teaching, and Learning

• Oversee the design, approval, delivery and cyclical review of courses and subjects to ensure quality, relevance, academic rigour and graduate employability.
• Promote best-practice pedagogy and assessment, including authentic assessment, and constructive alignment.
• Encourage innovation in delivery and integration of educational technologies.
• Ensure robust assessment integrity, moderation, and external referencing/benchmarking processes.

Research, Scholarship, and Academic Staffing

• Build a culture of scholarship consistent with TIIS's scale and mission.
• Lead academic workforce planning, oversee recruitment, mentoring, performance management,  and professional development.
• Support staff in developing scholarly outputs, research, and industry engagement appropriate to TIIS's profile.

Student Academic Success & Integrity

• Implement initiatives to enhance student orientation, engagement, progression, retention, and completion.
• Oversee academic integrity policies, detection, and case management; ensure fairness in appeals, misconduct, and special consideration processes.
• Use data and student feedback to identify issues and implement effective support strategies.

Innovation and Continuous Improvement

• Identify and lead projects to improve program quality, student experience, and operational efficiency.
• Foster a culture of innovation in teaching, learning, and academic delivery.

Other Duties

• Undertake any additional tasks as directed by the CEO to advance TIIS's strategic priorities.

Selection Criteria (Essential)

To be successful in this application, you must demonstrate:

1. A Doctorate (Ph.D. or equivalent) in related areas with a recognised record of academic and scholarly achievement.
2. Extensive academic leadership experience in a higher education (e.g., Dean/Head of School/Program Director) with demonstrated success delivering institution-wide academic outcomes.
3. Proven ability to lead quality assurance, accreditation, and continuous improvement in curriculum, teaching, and assessment.
4. Comprehensive Knowledge of the Higher Education Standards Framework (HESF) and TEQSA regulatory requirements, with hands-on experience preparing for accreditation/re-accreditation and provider audits.
5. Demonstrated success in academic governance, committee leadership, policy frameworks and evidence-based decision-making.
6. Strong record of teaching excellence and curriculum design, including innovative delivery (e.g., blended/block/online) and educational technology.
7. A proven track record in managing academic staff performance, professional development, scholarly activities, and workforce planning.
8. Commitment to student-centred practice, equity, academic integrity, and an inclusive learning environment.
9. Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
10. High level of work commitment, resilience, and the ability to work under pressure, with strong time management skills and a proactive, results-driven approach.
11. An open-minded, positive, and constructive personality, with strong problem-solving skills and a genuine willingness to contribute to TIIS's mission.

Application Process

Interested and qualified candidates are invited to submit an application including:

· Resume

· Cover Letter addressing the Selection Criteria

Please send your application to the subject line "Academic Dean – Sydney – Your Name"

Closing date: 5 October 2025. Early applications are encouraged, as interviews will be scheduled progressively, and the process may close early if suitable candidates are appointed.

Work rights: Applicants must have valid Australian work rights