dean - school of education and the arts

• Fixed-Term (5 years), Full-Time

• School of Education and the Arts

• CQUniversity Cairns, Townsville, Mackay, Rockhampton or Bundaberg (Relocation support available)

• Attractive remuneration package

Join an organisation with an unbreakable belief that quality education, training and research should be available to everyone – regardless of background, location or life circumstances.

As a proud inclusive and accessible dual-sector organisation, CQUniversity is a national leader in delivering both higher education and vocational training.

Our unique vision for diversity, outreach, engagement, research, and teaching has positioned us among the world's top universities. Our commitment to the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals has ranked us in the top 52 universities participating in the recent globally recognised Times Higher Education University Impact Rankings 2024. With a strong emphasis on practical, real-world learning, we equip students across all levels of study with the skills and knowledge to succeed in their chosen fields.

CQUniversity is placed in the top 20 percent of universities in Australia with five-star ratings by The Good Universities Guide 2024 for full-time employment, social equity, graduate starting salary, student support, proportion of first-generation domestic students, postgraduate skills development, postgraduate teaching quality, and overall postgraduate experience.

We are a university that works directly with community and industry to design and deliver education that strengthens and builds capacity and contributes to our society.

The School of Education and the Arts supports a student-centred curriculum that delivers seamless education characterised by authentic work-based learning. We offer a diverse range of qualifications from certificate through to doctoral studies – ensuring students have clear pathways to success at every stage of their careers.

The School offers a wide range of career-focused higher education and vocational education & training (VET) courses in the areas of education, digital media, professional communication, creative and performing arts, humanities, hospitality, early childhood, education support and visual arts.

We have campus locations across Australia, delivering quality face-to-face teaching, and we are also recognised as one of the largest and most experienced online education providers in the country.

A selection of the latest news stories from the School highlights our impact:

• Fostering Positive Social Change - Inspiring the next generation of performers, Central Queensland Conservatorium of Music (CQCM) delivers real-world creative arts experiences that empower high schoolers to make confident, life-shaping choices.

• Inspiring Future Educators – Empowering generations to pursue meaningful careers in education and shape the future together.

• Celebrating First Nations Perspectives – supporting students to reconnect with heritage and foster community connections with our Visual Arts program.

• Empowering Creative Innovation – Equipping artists with AI tools to foster creativity and adapt to technological advancements in the arts.

As the Dean of the School of Education and the Arts, you will be an inclusive and transformational leader, uniting the team toward excellence in teaching, research, and community engagement. You will champion a shared vision for both arts and education, driving collaboration across a diverse, multi-campus environment, fostering a culture that is participative, dynamic, and centred on collective success.

Your leadership will shape the future direction of the School, enhancing research outcomes and establishing strong, strategic partnerships with schools, cultural institutions, and government bodies. As an informed decision-maker, you will consider all aspects of the School and lead multidisciplinary teams to deliver sustainable, high-impact strategies across both higher education and vocational training.

This is an opportunity for you to make a significant, forward-thinking impact on our students, staff, and the broader education and creative communities.

• A doctoral qualification and professorial-level academic standing, with a strong record of leadership, research, and scholarship in Education and/or the Arts.

• Demonstrated excellence in leading academic and research functions, building high-performing teams, and managing resources within strategic and budgetary frameworks.

• Established networks across industry, government, and academia to enhance the School's reputation and influence.

• Strong knowledge of university governance, management, and quality assurance, with insight into current and emerging trends in higher education, Vocational Education and Training (VET), and online learning.

• A willingness to travel both domestically and internationally.

• Successful assessment of a Fit and Proper Person Declaration under the Registered Training Organisations (RTOs Cth) (RTO Standards).

Further information on this opportunity can be found within the Candidate Information Booklet and Position Description on the CQUniversity Careers Site.

Applications Close: 11:59pm, Sunday, 13 July 2025

Job Requisition ID: 5980

When submitting your application, please include:

1. Your current CV.

2. A cover letter outlining your relevant skills, experience, and suitability for the position.

3. A video no longer than 10 minutes (included as a shareable link in your Cover Letter) responding to the following essential criteria. Instructions on how to upload your video can be found within the Video Application Guide.

• Why you are a good fit for CQUniversity.

• Your current or recent experience demonstrating your capability to fulfil the requirements of the position, including how you have navigated conflicting opinions to make an informed decision.

• Your vision for the future of the School of Education and the Arts, including specific ideas for both disciplines – and examples of how you would successfully bring these areas together in your leadership practice.

CQUniversity is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes diversity in the workplace. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and CQUniversity's domestic and international student graduates with post-study work rights are encouraged to apply.

Keywords: Enterprise Leadership | Academic Excellence | Global Engagement | Reputation Building | Educational Innovation | Corporate Partnerships | Institutional Advancement | Associate Provost | Professor of Education | Professor of Art | Head of School | Associate Dean | Director of Academic Programs | Senior Academic Leader | Dean of Faculty | Academic Department Head