Head of Department

Company Description

Acknowledge Education is a leading training provider with campuses throughout Australia offering a variety of courses in a range of industries such as health, community services, social work, business, civil construction and hospitality. In our 139-year history in education, we remain true to our mission to stay a challenging, relevant and creative leader in the education industry

True to our name, we acknowledge and celebrate the unique aspirations and achievements of every student. From our roots as an English language school in Victoria, we've evolved into a national academic powerhouse, with campuses in Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, and Brisbane educating over 6,000 students every year.

To find out more about us, please visit

Job Description

This is a pivotal leadership opportunity to step into our largest and most impactful program – Community Services. As Head of Department, you'll shape the direction of a portfolio that directly influences the futures of thousands of students while gaining valuable senior leadership experience in a fast-growing and agile education provider.

The Role

Reporting to the Dean, you will provide both academic leadership and operational oversight to a team of dedicated teaching and academic staff. You'll drive program quality and innovation, lead course development, and ensure our students are supported by engaging, industry-relevant learning.

Your remit will be broad and influential, spanning:

• Academic leadership – inspire, mentor, and support staff to deliver high-quality teaching and outstanding student outcomes.
• Program growth & development – oversee new course design, continuous improvement, and curriculum innovation informed by research and industry input.
• External engagement – manage articulation pathways and benchmarking to ensure our programs remain leading edge and highly regarded.
• Quality & compliance – ensure academic standards are maintained across Higher Education and VET requirements, working closely with the Dean and Quality team.

This is a highly visible role where your leadership will make a tangible difference to staff, students, and the broader community.

Qualifications

We're looking for a collaborative and forward-thinking leader who thrives in a dynamic, student-centred environment. You will bring:

• A Master's degree (PhD preferred) in a relevant discipline such as Social Work, Psychology, Counselling, or Community Development.
• Proven experience in academic leadership, with the ability to inspire and motivate staff.
• A strong scholarly background with evidence of research and professional engagement.
• Deep understanding of education standards, accreditation, and compliance in Higher Education and/or VET.
• Strategic acumen, with the ability to balance academic excellence, innovation, and operational delivery.
• A genuine commitment to student success, staff development, and fostering an inclusive, supportive culture.

This is the perfect platform for an ambitious academic leader to take ownership of our flagship program, build a strong profile, and contribute to the future of community services education in Australia.

Additional Information

• Opportunities to grow within the organization
• $1,500 professional development allowance
• Incredibly committed and supportive team of student-centric professionals
• Be part of a fast-growing organization working in an agile environment
• Acknowledge education is part of UP Education group – Be part of a leading education provider:

Questions about your identity help us appreciate the diversity of individuals looking to work with us, ensuring we're attracting applications from people with identities and perspectives that are as diverse as our students.

We are an equal opportunity employer. As part of our commitment to equity, we work to ensure a fair and consistent interview process. We celebrate diversity and we are committed to an inclusive work environment.