Academic Director of Professional Practice

CQUniversity; Cairns Regional; On-site; AUD 167,000 - 189,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

17% superannuation contribution

5.4 weeks annual leave

Paid Christmas and New Year leave

Personal/sick leave 10 days

Carer's leave 5 days

Engaged service leave 7.25 hours

Career development opportunities

Parental leave up to 26 weeks

Employee Assistance Program

Fitness Passport

Job summary

CQUniversity is seeking an Academic Director of Professional Practice to provide strategic academic leadership for its Professional Experience programs across teacher education.

You will oversee placement quality, policies and resources, and work with schools and early childhood services to ensure high-quality experiences. The role emphasizes accreditation, regulatory reporting and strong stakeholder partnerships.

Qualifications

• Postgraduate qualification or significant industry experience in education.
• Experience leading academic programs and professional practice.
• Strong understanding of accreditation and regulatory reporting.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic academic leadership for Professional Experience programs.
• Oversee placement quality, policies and resources.
• Drive accreditation, quality assurance and regulatory reporting with education authorities.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Quality assurance

Regulatory reporting

Partnership building

Education

Postgraduate qualification (e.g. Doctor of Education or Doctor of Philosophy)

Job description

• Continuing, Full-Time


• School of Education and the Arts


• CQUniversity Bundaberg, Cairns, Gladstone, Mackay, Rockhampton or Townsville


• Total Remuneration $166,553 to $189,070 pa (including salary of $140,740 to $159,767 plus 17% superannuation and leave loading)

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.

Working at CQUniversity

The School of Education and the Arts is responsible for delivering high-quality teacher education and preparing future educators for successful careers across early childhood, primary and secondary settings. This includes overseeing Initial Teacher Education courses, professional partnerships and the practical learning experiences that connect students with the education sector.

As the Academic Director of Professional Practice, you will provide strategic academic leadership for CQUniversity's Professional Experience programs, ensuring pre-service teachers receive meaningful, high-quality placement experiences. You will lead the development and continuous improvement of program policies, procedures and resources, oversee placement quality and assessment, and build strong partnerships with schools, early childhood services and education authorities. Working closely with academic teams and Work Integrated Learning, you will also drive accreditation, quality assurance and regulatory reporting, while supporting students and mentoring professional experience supervisors.

At CQUniversity, you will have the opportunity to shape the future of teacher education, strengthen industry partnerships and make a lasting contribution to developing the next generation of educators.

Be Rewarded

• 17% superannuation (with the choice to join an award-winning superfund)


• 5.4 weeks annual leave (plus 3 working days paid at Christmas and New Year closure)


• 10 days personal/sick leave, plus 5 days carer’s leave


• 7.25 hours engaged service leave


• Fantastic professional and career development opportunities


• Up to 26 weeks (six months) paid parental leave


• Access to an Employee Assistance Program and Fitness Passport

Position Requirements

• Relevant postgraduate qualification (e.g. Doctor of Education or Doctor of Philosophy), or significant relevant industry experience and eligibility for Queensland teacher registration.


• Extensive knowledge of the Initial Teacher Education Professional Experience landscape, including accreditation and regulatory requirements.


• Demonstrated experience leading and managing Professional Experience programs within a higher education environment.


• Proven ability to build and maintain strong partnerships with education authorities, schools and early childhood education providers.


• Experience contributing to course accreditation, quality assurance and regulatory reporting, supported by strong strategic leadership and stakeholder engagement skills.

Pre-Employment Checks

Appointment to this role is subject to satisfactory pre-employment checks, which may include a National Police Check and/or Working with Children Check (where applicable). The University is committed to providing a safe, inclusive and respectful environment where its members can study, work and live free from gender-based violence. In line with our organisational values and regulatory obligations, applicants may be required to declare any past or current allegations, investigations or findings relating to gender-based violence. The successful candidate may also be required to demonstrate that they meet the 'fit and proper person' criteria as required under applicable legislation and regulatory frameworks (including ASQA requirements where relevant).

Our Commitment to Inclusion

At CQUniversity, inclusivity is at the heart of who we are. We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels respected, supported and empowered to succeed regardless of background or ability.

We advance reconciliation through our Stretch Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), First Nations Workforce Strategy and our First Nations Cultural Competency Framework, strengthening opportunities for First Nations peoples and embedding cultural respect across our organisation.

Through our Disability-Informed Action Plan, we continue to enhance accessibility and inclusion across our University. As a recognised member of the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program, we actively promote awareness and understanding of non-visible disabilities, helping to ensure everyone can bring their whole selves to work and thrive.

CQUniversity is also committed to providing an accessible, equitable and inclusive recruitment and selection process. The University will provide reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment, selection, appointment and onboarding process to ensure people with disability can participate on an equal basis with others.

Position Description

For further information about this position, please refer to the Position Description.

Applications Close: 11:59pm, Wednesday, 2 December 2026

Work Rights: Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. Candidates must hold the full rights to work in Australia to be considered for this appointment.

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.