Interim Chief Academic Officer

Go Fractional; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 260,000; Part time

Job summary

Online Institute of Higher Education (OIHE) seeks a Chief Academic Officer in Melbourne for a part-time, 12-month fixed-term contract. Hybrid work, 3-4 days per week, reporting to the CEO, responsible for academic strategy, governance, QA and TEQSA compliance.

Lead accreditation activities, curriculum design and staff development, engage with the Academic Board and regulators, and drive continuous improvement to deliver outstanding student outcomes.

Qualifications

• Substantial experience leading academic units within an Australian higher education provider with TEQSA/HESF experience.
• Proven ability to lead TEQSA accreditation and reaccreditation processes.
• Expertise in curriculum design, quality assurance and assessment governance.
• Experience developing and supporting academic staff, including sessional and adjunct teams.
• Strong verbal and written communication with boards and regulators.
• Extensive knowledge of TEQSA, HESF, AQF and related governance frameworks.
• Experience managing academic risk, compliance and QA systems.
• Track record of driving continuous improvement, innovation and growth.
• Doctoral qualification is required.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic academic leadership across the Institute.
• Support Academic Board in governing responsibilities.
• Oversee course accreditation, re-accreditation, review and development.
• Maintain TEQSA registration and accreditation compliance.
• Lead reaccreditation activities with a focus on continuous improvement.
• Ensure compliance with TEQSA, HESF, AQF and broader requirements.
• Champion academic integrity and governance of student matters.
• Report to Academic Board, Governing Body, and Executive Leadership Team.
• Drive innovation to enhance teaching quality and outcomes.
• Represent the Institute with regulators, industry partners and external stakeholders.

Skills

Academic leadership

TEQSA compliance

Course accreditation

Curriculum design

Quality assurance

Stakeholder communication

Regulatory frameworks

Risk management

Innovation

Education

Doctoral degree

Job description

Chief Academic Officer

Location: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (Hybrid)

Employment Type: Part-time, 12-month fixed-term contract

Work Arrangement: 3-4 days per week (flexible)

Reporting To: CEO

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.

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.
• A doctoral level qualification

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.