Chief Academic Officer

Online Education Services (Oes); Melbourne; Hybrid; AUD 120,000 - 210,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Professional development

Wellbeing initiatives

Paid parental leave

Study assistance

Purchased leave

Employee benefits

Job summary

Online Institute of Higher Education (OIHE) invites an experienced academic leader to join as Chief Academic Officer in Melbourne. You will steer academic strategy, governance, quality assurance, and TEQSA compliance, reporting to the CEO and advising the Academic Board to drive excellence and growth.

This part‑time, 12‑month fixed‑term role can be 3–4 days per week, offering a flexible hybrid work model and the chance to shape online higher education in Australia with regulators and industry

Qualifications

• Experience leading academic governance and TEQSA compliance.
• Proven track record in course accreditation processes.
• Leadership of curriculum design and quality assurance.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic academic leadership across the Institute.
• Lead academic governance and support the Academic Board.
• Oversee course accreditation, reaccreditation and development.
• Maintain TEQSA registration and accreditation compliance.
• Drive continuous improvement across academic operations.
• Represent the Institute with regulators and external partners.

Skills

Academic leadership

TEQSA compliance

Course accreditation

Curriculum design

Staff development

Stakeholder communication

Job description

OES is a global education services partner, working with universities, employers, and industry bodies to deliver market-leading online learning solutions. Our purpose is to enhance lives through education, and our vision is to be the world's most impactful enabler of education.
As part of the Online Education Services (OES) Group, the Online Institute of Higher Education (OIHE) is a registered higher education provider committed to delivering innovative, high-quality online education. OIHE combines academic excellence with industry relevance to equip students with the skills, knowledge, and confidence needed to succeed in today's workforce.

The Opportunity:

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced and strategic academic leader to join the Online Institute of Higher Education (OIHE) as Chief Academic Officer. Based in Melbourne and reporting to the CEO, you will lead the Institute's academic strategy, governance, quality assurance and regulatory compliance functions. As a key member of the leadership team, you will work closely with the Academic Board, lead TEQSA accreditation and compliance activities, and drive academic excellence, innovation and continuous improvement across the organisation. This role plays a critical part in ensuring OIHE delivers outstanding student outcomes while supporting the Institute's ongoing growth and success.
This is a part-time, 12-month fixed-term contract. We are looking for someone that can work 3 or 4 days a week and are open to discuss what will work best for the successful candidate during the recruitment process.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide strategic academic leadership across the Institute.
• Lead academic governance and support the Academic Board in fulfilling its responsibilities.
• Oversee course accreditation, re-accreditation, review, and development activities.
• Support the ongoing maintenance of TEQSA registration and course accreditation compliance.
• Lead TEQSA reaccreditation activities and provide a strong continuous improvement and innovation lens across academic operations.
• Ensure compliance with TEQSA, HESF, AQF, and broader higher education regulatory requirements.
• Champion academic integrity, assessment of governance, and student academic matters.
• Provide expert advice and reporting to the Academic Board, Governing Body, and Executive Leadership Team.
• Drive innovation and continuous improvement initiatives that enhance teaching quality and student outcomes.
• Represent the Institute with regulators, industry stakeholders, and external partners

About You:

We are seeking an accomplished academic leader who combines deep regulatory expertise with a passion for educational excellence and innovation.

You will bring:

• Substantial experience in academic leadership within an Australian higher education provider, including direct experience with TEQSA/HESF compliance and course accreditation processes.
• Demonstrated experience leading TEQSA accreditation and reaccreditation activities.
• Demonstrated experience in curriculum design, quality assurance, and assessment governance.
• Experience leading and developing academic staff, including sessional and adjunct teaching teams.
• High-level academic and stakeholder communication skills, including the ability to advise a Board and engage with regulators.
• Extensive knowledge of TEQSA, HESF, AQF, academic governance, and regulatory frameworks.
• Experience managing academic risk, compliance, and quality assurance systems.
• A track record of driving continuous improvement, innovation, and institutional growth.

Why Join us?

As part of the broader OES Group, you'll join a purpose-driven organisation committed to transforming lives through education. This is a rare opportunity to shape the academic direction of a growing higher education provider and influence outcomes that impact students, industry partners and the wider education sector. We offer a flexible, hybrid working model, a collaborative and values-led culture, and a genuine commitment to supporting our people through professional development, wellbeing initiatives, paid parental leave, study assistance, purchased leave and comprehensive employee benefits. Most importantly, you'll have the opportunity to work alongside a high-performing Executive Leadership Team and Academic Board while making a meaningful contribution to the future of higher education.

At OIHE, we are committed to creating an inclusive and diverse environment, where we encourage candidates of any nationality, age, background, disability, and gender identity to apply.