Dean of Lifelong Learning

UNSW; Montreal; On-site; CAD 176,000 - 274,000; Full time

Job summary

UNSW seeks a Dean of Lifelong Learning to lead a university-wide strategy for upskilling and reskilling, driving a high-value portfolio of post-experience programs and strategic partnerships. The role reports to the Provost and shapes market-responsive education delivery.

The Dean will balance academic credibility with commercial acumen, align with industry and government, and steer investment to deliver measurable outcomes and sustainable growth for UNSW’s lifelong learning offerings.

Qualifications

• Proven strategic leadership in a large university or higher education sector.
• Strong academic credibility with commercial acumen and market awareness.

Responsibilities

• 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

Job description

This Job is based in Australia

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.