Head of School

Head of School (Business and Accounting)- Polytechnic Institute Australia

About Polytechnic Institute Australia:

Founded in 2010, Polytechnic Institute Australia (PIA) is a leading Institute of Higher Education accredited by the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA). With campuses in Melbourne CBD, Geelong, and Sydney CBD, PIA is a registered provider of courses for international students through the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS).

Committed to fostering a creative, supportive, and inclusive culture, PIA empowers students to achieve their professional aspirations while providing a safe and enriching learning environment tailored to real-world success.

Why your role matters:

The Head of School (Business and Accounting) plays a key role in contributing to the achievement of PIA's strategic objectives, particularly its strong commitment to an exceptional student experience and high-quality innovative teaching and learning practices.

The Head of Discipline (Business and Accounting) provides strategic leadership for the discipline area, developing and implementing plans aligned with the goals of PIA.  They oversee curriculum development and continuous review, manage academic staff and lead quality processes related to timetabling, academic integrity and reporting on teaching session results to the Board of Examiners

The heart of the role is the oversight of curriculum, the management of staff and improving student outcomes.  The Head of Discipline (Business and Accounting) will foster innovative teaching and assessment practices and lead quality assurance processes, including the development of new courses, course accreditation and course reviews.  Annual reports discussing completion rates, employment outcomes and student satisfaction are also the responsibility of this role.

• Employment Status: Full-Time
• Reporting to: Deputy Dean
• Location: Melbourne, Sydney or Geelong Campus

What you'll do:

Academic Leadership and Management

• Provide strategic leadership for the discipline area, developing and implementing academic plans aligned with institutional goals
• Oversee curriculum development, review, and continuous improvement to ensure industry relevance and regulatory compliance
• Manage academic staff within the discipline, including recruitment, performance management, and professional development
• Lead quality assurance processes, including course accreditation, audits, and compliance with national training standards
• Prepare and present discipline performance reports to the Board of Examiners and Academic Board, including grade distributions, moderation outcomes, and unit performance data.

Teaching and Learning Excellence

• Monitor and improve student outcomes, including completion rates, employment outcomes, and student satisfaction
• Facilitate innovative teaching practices and integration of technology in learning delivery
• Lead moderation and validation processes to ensure fairness, transparency, and alignment with institutional assessment policies.

Industry Engagement and Partnerships

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with industry partners, employers, and professional bodies
• Ensure programs meet current and emerging industry needs through regular consultation and advisory committees
• Facilitate work-integrated learning opportunities, including internships, apprenticeships, and industry projects
• Represent the discipline at industry events and maintain awareness of sector trends and developments

Student Support and Engagement

• Ensure appropriate student support services are available and accessible within the discipline area
• Address student concerns and grievances in accordance with institutional policies
• Promote student engagement and success through various initiatives and interventions
• Oversee student recruitment and retention strategies specific to the discipline
• Monitor unit performance data (e.g. fail rates, grade distributions) to support targeted interventions.

Resource Management and Administration

• Manage discipline budgets, including staffing and equipment.
• Coordinate timetabling and resource allocation to optimise learning outcomes
• Ensure compliance with workplace health and safety requirements

Research and Innovation

• Promote applied research activities relevant to the discipline and industry needs
• Support staff in research endeavours and professional development activities
• Encourage innovation in teaching practices and program delivery methods
• Facilitate knowledge transfer between the institution and industry partners
• Encourage applied scholarship aligned with TEQSA's expectations for teaching-active institutions.

Stakeholder Communication and Reporting

• Provide regular reports to senior management on discipline performance, including academic, financial, and operational metrics
• Communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders
• Represent the discipline at institutional committees and meetings
• Contribute to institutional strategic planning processes

About You:

Essential:

• Doctoral qualifications in the discipline or Masters level qualifications with extended professional experience;
• Evidence of ongoing scholarship in the discipline;
• Experience in higher education learning & teaching operations and leadership;
• Experience and ability to engage and incorporate technology in delivery of unit materials;
• Ability to work with students, placement mentors and staff from diverse backgrounds;
• Ability to support students' learning activities through various media and modes;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills; and
• Commitment to equity and diversity principles, and Work Health & Safety.

Desirable:

• Relevant current professional memberships and registrations;
• A postgraduate qualification in adult or higher education or a willingness to undertake such study to obtain one;
• Activity in research/scholarship in relevant fields of education
• Understanding of Higher Education regulatory requirements, including the ESOS Act and the Threshold Standards

Apply Now:

PIA is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. We value diversity in all its forms and welcome applications from all individuals, regardless of gender identity, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, or age. We particularly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Workplace Culture and Values:

Our institution is committed to academic excellence, student success, and innovation in learning. PIA employees are required to act in accordance with PIA's values and behaviours of:

• Accountability
• Collegiality
• Commitment
• Recognition
• Respect
• Trust

For the full position description, copy and paste the following link into your browser:

If you meet the above criteria, you have a great opportunity to join PIA. Please provide your application with a Cover Letter and CV addressed to our Dean, Geoff Morris to  If you have any queries regarding the position or application process, please contact  Recruitment period will close on the 4th August 2025.