Dean of Lifelong Learning

University-of-New-South-Wales; Sydney; On-site; AUD 250,000 - 350,000; Full time

Job summary

UNSW is seeking a Dean of Lifelong Learning to lead a university-wide strategy for lifelong learning, upskilling and reskilling. You will develop a high-value portfolio of post-experience programs and drive sustainable revenue growth while ensuring strong learner outcomes.

Reporting to the Provost, you will convene senior leaders to shape market opportunities, investment decisions and innovative delivery models that position UNSW at the forefront of lifelong learning and societal impact.

Qualifications

• Strategic leadership in a complex education environment.
• Commercial acumen and market awareness.
• Experience with online education and emerging learning technologies.

Responsibilities

• Developing university-wide lifelong learning strategy and portfolio.
• Identify market opportunities through insights and portfolio analysis.
• Drive revenue growth, learner outcomes and ROI.
• Advance technology-enabled and scalable delivery models.
• Build partnerships with industry, government and organisations.
• Represent UNSW with senior stakeholders.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Commercial acumen

Online education

Job description

Job no: 543907
Work type: Full Time
Location: Sydney, NSW
Categories: Academic Leadership, Professor

What we are looking for

The Dean of Lifelong Learning is responsible for academic, strategic and commercial leadership in the post experience education market. Working with the Provost, the University Leadership Team, Academic Board and Council, the Dean develops and executes a sustainable growth strategy that advances the University’s lifelong learning vision while delivering measurable educational, societal and commercial outcomes.

The Dean leads the development of a university wide lifelong learning model and portfolio strategy that responds to evolving workforce needs, emerging industry opportunities, and societal demand for upskilling and reskilling. The role is accountable for driving portfolio and market growth, enhancing UNSW's competitive position, and ensuring investment decisions deliver strong returns, financial sustainability, and strategic impact.

Working closely with Deputy Vice-Chancellors and Faculty Deans, the Dean convenes strategic conversations regarding market opportunities, portfolio performance, customer needs, partnership development and innovative delivery models. The Dean is responsible for ensuring UNSW maintains a competitive, scalable and financially sustainable lifelong learning offering that leverages technology, innovation and new business models to support growth and market leadership.

What you will do

Reporting to the Provost, the role will lead the Lifelong Learning Hub and will be responsible for:

• Developing and executing a university-wide strategy for lifelong learning, upskilling and reskilling
• Building and commercialising a high-value portfolio of post-experience programs
• Identifying market opportunities through customer insight, competitor analysis and portfolio performance
• Driving sustainable revenue growth, strong learner outcomes and return on investment
• Advancing innovative, scalable and technology-enabled approaches to education delivery
• Building strategic partnerships with industry, government and other organisations
• Influencing academic and professional communities to reform post-experience learning practices
• Ensuring robust quality assurance and strong educational outcomes across the portfolio
• Representing UNSW externally with senior corporate, government and education stakeholders

What you will need

You will bring a distinguished record of strategic leadership in a complex university, education or related environment. You will combine academic credibility with commercial acumen, market awareness and a strong understanding of online education and emerging learning technologies.

You will be an influential and collaborative leader, able to build alignment across a complex organisation and deliver change through relationships, evidence and shared purpose. Your experience may come from a major research-intensive university, continuing or executive education, online higher education, workforce development, a dual-sector institution or a private education business.

Above all, you will bring the vision, judgement and drive to position UNSW at the forefront of lifelong learning and to create education that delivers lasting value for learners, employers and the wider community.

Why this is important to UNSW

You will be instrumental in shaping how the University responds to the growing demand for accessible, relevant and career-focused learning throughout people’s working lives. You will connect UNSW’s academic strengths with the needs of industry, government and the wider community, building a sustainable lifelong learning portfolio that supports upskilling and reskilling, strengthens the University’s market position and creates meaningful educational, commercial and societal impact.

What’s in it for you

UNSW offers the opportunity to influence the future direction of education at scale at Australia’s #1 university, working with outstanding academic and professional colleagues in a globally connected university environment.