Executive Dean First Year College

About the Role

Reporting to the Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Chief Academic Officer, the Executive Dean, First Year College, provides strategic leadership to ensure Victoria University remains a first-choice institution for students, staff, and industry partners. This role is pivotal in delivering the innovative VU Block Model through the First Year College, which supports student engagement, retention, and successful transition into university life.

The Executive Dean leads the development and implementation of the College’s operational plan, fosters academic excellence, and promotes a collaborative and inclusive environment. Key responsibilities include overseeing academic programs, research initiatives, and community partnerships; managing budgets and resources; and representing the College across internal and external forums.

A strong focus is placed on interdisciplinary collaboration and integration across education, research, and industry engagement. The role leads student retention initiatives and also supports pedagogical innovation and technology-enhanced learning through the VU Block Model Academy, while ensuring course quality, academic integrity, and student belonging and wellbeing. This leadership position is critical to advancing VU’s reputation and impact – nationally and globally – through sustainable, industry-forward educational practices.

About You

You are a visionary academic leader with a distinguished record of achievement and a PhD in a relevant field. Internationally recognised for your contributions to higher education, you bring senior executive experience in academic leadership and management, supported by a deep understanding of national and global tertiary education trends, government policy, and funding frameworks.

Your thought leadership – particularly in transition pedagogy and innovative teaching methods – will enhance the first-year student experience and further advance the VU Block Model. You are committed to fostering a values-based, inclusive, and collaborative culture, and you lead with integrity, empathy, and strategic foresight.

You bring strong commercial acumen, with a proven ability to drive student growth, program development, and secure research funding. Your leadership is marked by excellence in financial, portfolio, and change management, as well as a dedication to quality assurance and occupational health and safety. With exceptional communication skills and a passion for equity, diversity, and inclusion, you will inspire meaningful engagement across disciplines and make a lasting impact on VU’s education and scholarship.

How to Apply

Your application should include a current CV, a cover letter or statement detailing your vision for the role, the qualities you would bring as Executive Dean of the First Year College, and a response to the selection criteria outlined in the position description.

To obtain a copy of the position description please click: HERE

Applications close at 11:59pm AEDT (Melbourne) on Monday, 6 October 2025.

Location

This role is primarily based at our Footscray Park campus, with travel across other VU campuses as required.

Victoria University honours its deep diversity as a foundation for collaboration and social progress. We will demonstrate sensitivity in respecting First Nation perspectives. We will ensure that we respect our Indigenous voices and commit to sustainable Protecting Country. We will take leadership responsibility, in all that we do, to improve the health and wellbeing of our local and global communities, and the planet that we share.

Our Commitment to Progressive Inclusivity

Victoria University celebrates diversity and is committed to progressive inclusivity as a strategic priority. We strive to build a workforce that reflects our community by attracting and empowering people from all backgrounds, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with disability, culturally and racially marginalised groups, LGBTQIA+ communities, and individuals of all ages and socio-economic backgrounds.

We believe diverse perspectives strengthen our community and foster innovation, inclusion, and belonging. VU is dedicated to providing a barrier-free recruitment experience. For access requirements or adjustments, contact [emailprotected] or call (03) 9919 5999.

Our Values and Commitment

• Victoria University (VU) is the University of the West.
• For more than 100 years, Victoria University (VU) has offered accessible education to students in Melbourne’s west and beyond.
• We are one of Australia’s few dual-sector universities, with currently over 40,000 enrolled vocational and higher education students studying across our campuses.
• The VU Values emphasise shaping the future and operating with integrity, diversity, and inclusion.

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Victoria University (VU) is the University of the West. For more than 100 years, Victoria University (VU) has offered accessible education to students in Melbourne’s west and beyond. We are one of Australia’s few dual-sector universities, with currently over 40,000 enrolled vocational and higher education students studying across our campuses. Our moral purpose is to provide vocational and higher education that transforms the lives of students and the communities we serve. Our values are a living set of actions that underpin our moral purpose. The VU Values are that we are always: shaping the future. This is the VU Way. We are always WEST. At VU we believe diversity is a strength – the more diverse perspectives, identities, cultural backgrounds, ages and experience of our students and staff, the better our working environment, research and educational experience of our students. With a culturally diverse population of students and staff from a wide range of backgrounds, we strive to foster a welcoming and inclusive environment where all students and staff are respected, valued and enabled to thrive.

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