Dean of Agribusiness and Commerce

Lincoln University; Canterbury; On-site; NZD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Lincoln University in Canterbury, New Zealand seeks a Dean to lead the Faculty of Agribusiness and Commerce, shaping strategy, strengthening academic excellence and financial sustainability. You will drive AACSB accreditation, grow international partnerships, and guide curriculum renewal to keep teaching rigorous and industry-connected.

As a visible ambassador for a small, specialist university, you will foster iwi engagement, collaborate with industry and government, and uphold Manaakitanga

Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent professional experience required, with a focus on land-based, agribusiness, business or commerce.
• Proven ability to lead research excellence, innovation and impact with income generation.
• Track record in curriculum renewal and academic quality improvement.
• Experience guiding organisational, cultural and operational change in higher education.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Faculty’s strategy for teaching, research and stakeholder impact.
• Drive continuous improvement of the taught portfolio and its financial sustainability.
• Oversee AACSB accreditation processes and quality frameworks.
• Grow external research income and postgraduate enrolments.
• Develop international partnerships to support education and research.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Stakeholder engagement

Curriculum renewal

Education

PhD or equivalent professional experience

Job description

The opportunity

Te Whare Wānaka o Aoraki Lincoln University is New Zealand’s only specialist university, focused on the land-based sectors, recognised for its contribution to the future of food, fibre, agribusiness, sustainability and the environment.

The Faculty of Agribusiness and Commerce is central to the University’s distinctive identity and purpose. Through excellent education and impactful research, the Faculty advances knowledge and leadership across agribusiness, economics, finance, marketing, property, tourism and related disciplines, helping address the opportunities and challenges facing New Zealand’s land-based sectors.

This is a rare chance to lead the next stage of growth and ambition for this important Faculty.

Why this role, and why now

• Build on real strength. Agribusiness and Commerce contributes significantly to the University. The opportunity ahead is to deepen its research impact and international footprint while sustaining excellent, industry-connected education.
• Accreditation on the horizon. Pursuing AACSB accreditation is a strategic priority, and experience of that journey, or the appetite to lead it, will be highly valued.
• Foundation for what's next. Deanships at Lincoln provide a foundation for senior university leadership, and the successful candidate will join an extended leadership team helping steer the University’s next chapter.
• An exceptional place to live and lead. Canterbury offers an exceptional quality of life. The outdoors, strong schools, and a welcoming community within easy reach of Christchurch.

What You’ll Lead

Reporting to the Provost, you will hold primary accountability for the Faculty’s strategy, academic performance, financial sustainability and people. You will:

• Set and deliver a Faculty strategy that advances excellence in teaching, research and stakeholder impact.
• Lead continuous improvement of the taught portfolio keeping it relevant, rigorous, industry-connected and financially sustainable.
• Provide leadership for the Faculty’s pursuit and maintenance of AACSB accreditation and other quality frameworks.
• Grow a strong culture of research excellence, lifting external research income, high-quality publications and a growth in postgraduate enrolments.
• Develop international partnerships that support education, research and student opportunities.
• Act as a visible ambassador across industry, government, community, iwi and professional networks.
• Strengthen research, education and engagement partnerships with iwi and hapū, advancing the University’s commitments under Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

What You’ll Bring

• A PhD or equivalent professional experience is required, ideally with a land-based, agribusiness, business or commerce orientation.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and foster a culture of research excellence, innovation and impact, with an understanding of the drivers of research performance and income.
• Success in curriculum renewal, programme development and academic quality enhancement.
• Experience leading complex organisational, cultural and operational change in higher education or comparable environments.
• The ability to build strong relationships with industry, government, international and iwi partners.
• A transparent, energetic and empathetic leadership style, and a genuine appreciation of what it means to be a small and specialist university, and a commitment to Manaakitaka and Lincoln University’s values.