Academic Portfolio Manager, Creative & Development

UCOL; Palmerston North; On-site; NZD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

UCOL in Palmerston North is seeking an Academic Portfolio Manager to lead and inspire a team delivering creative and development programmes across Manawatū, Whanganui, and other campuses. The role focuses on strong teaching standards, workforce development, and building industry links with iwi and regional communities.

You will oversee programme viability, quality assurance, and financial performance, while collaborating with academic leaders to implement changes and pursue new opportunities.

Qualifications

• Masters Degree in Creative/Design or relevant area.
• Experience leading staff in tertiary education.
• Experience with project management, design thinking, and programme development.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a team of academic and technical staff.
• Ensure high standards of teaching, learning and student outcomes.
• Oversee programme portfolio performance and external partnerships.
• Collaborate with other academic leaders across UCOL.
• Support travel between Manawatu and Whanganui campuses.

Skills

Staff leadership

Project management

Design thinking

Academic programme development

Education

Masters degree in Creative/Design

Job description

• Full Time


• Application Closes 21 Sep 2026


• Manawatu - Palmerston North


• Manager

About The Role

UCOL has an exciting academic leadership opportunity for someone with a passion for education and developing the future workforce across a range of specialist subject areas that sit within this Portfolio of Creative & Development. This Portfolio includes programmes being taught within our Manawatu, Whanganui, Wairarapa and Levin campuses in the areas of Creative Media, Art & Design and Adult & Community Education, while also supporting other Faculty of Health & Humanities or UCOL developments.

The kaupapa of this role is to lead, inspire and manage a team of academic and technical staff teaching programmes within the Portfolio, and is responsible for ensuring a high standard of teaching and learning for students and a supportive work environment for staff teaching on these programmes. The Academic Portfolio Manager is responsible for providing leadership in developing a strong and viable portfolio of programmes which focuses on enhancing student outcomes and experiences and profiles UCOL's reputation with industry, employers, iwi and regional communities. UCOL has a well established creative portfolio built on strong support from our stakeholders and we are looking for someone to continue this work, implement the current programme changes, and lead future developments in this area. The development aspect of this role will see you also providing leadership or project support for new opportunities being developed. To support this development aspect of the role, experience in areas such as project management, design thinking, and academic programme development will be an advantage.

The successful applicant will be responsible for working collaboratively with other academic leaders across UCOL, to ensure the quality assurance and continuous improvement of programmes delivered within this portfolio. The position also oversees the financial and business performance of the programmes they are accountable for. We want your energy, creativity, passion and intelligence. Help us meet the current and developing needs of our regions through ensuring our programmes align with workforce needs and our graduates are well prepared to succeed in both the current and future workforce.

You can be based on either the Palmerston North or Whanganui campus for this role. Travel is necessary and you will be required to have set days on the Palmerston North and Whanganui campuses.

Position Requirements

Ideally a Masters Degree in an area of Creative/Design or relevant area. An understanding of Creative Industries and Tertiary Education. Experience in leading staff and developing high performing teams, especially in a tertiary education environment will be an advantage. As stated previously, experience in areas such as project management, design thinking, and academic programme development will be an advantage.

Applicants for this position should have NZ residency or a valid NZ work visa and will be required to undergo pre-employment checks; including completing a New Zealand Police Vetting as part of the Children's Act 2014.

About UCOL

UCOL government-funded Institute of Technology, with campuses in Manawatū, Whanganui, Levin, Masterton. Focused on vocational education, training and research, UCOL works with local communities and industries to connect 6,000 ākonga each year through a wide range of Programmes, including certificates, diplomas, degrees and postgraduate qualifications.

Applications close: Monday 21st September 2026

• job-description---academic-portfolio-manager.pdf