Head of School| Social Sciences and Humanities

Head of School, Social Sciences and Humanities
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Auckland CBD, Auckland
Management - Universities (Education & Training)
Contract/Temp
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Posted 1d ago

Drive the growth and success of our School of Social Sciences and Humanities
Bring experience and expertise working across disciplines
5-year appointment, based at AUT's City Campus

As one of the world's top 100 young universities and New Zealand's newest, Auckland University of Technology (AUT) is a university of opportunity where all students with talent and potential have the chance to succeed. We are a socially-driven university with equity and excellence central to our purpose and actions, and we offer a stimulating teaching and research environment with strong connections to government, business, and industry. AUT has more than 27,000 students and over 4,000 staff based primarily at our three Auckland teaching campuses.

AUT's School of Social Sciences and Humanities

Part of our Faculty of Culture and Society/Te Ara Kete Aronui, we deliver high-quality educational experiences that have real impact, with a mix of academics and strengths across our disciplines. The School is a diverse, vibrant community of scholars. Our social sciences and public policy research contributes to critical policy debate in New Zealand and around the world, and we measure the success of our research by the impacts we have on the communities we serve. Our language and culture programmes focus on language in its widest sense. We cover the study of languages including New Zealand Sign Language and Spanish, as well as the areas of creative writing, interpreting, translation and international studies.

Please ensure to review the candidate information handbook available for this role (includes detail on the Faculty, School, AUT, the position description and more).

The opportunity | Te Whiwhinga mahi

This opportunity provides academic, administrative and people leadership to approximately 34 (FTE) academic staff, focussed on educating 740 (EFTS) students and providing research with impact. The recently merged School seeks a visionary and personable leader who can inspire, innovate, and drive academic excellence. You'll be comfortable communicating with different groups and disciplines and play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the school. This role is a key member of the Faculty Executive Team.

We are particularly interested in Professors (or Associate Professors of high standing) who have led an academic department or school before, and have academic discipline expertise within social sciences or humanities.

Key focus areas will include:

A champion for equity embracing AUT's Te Aronui framework. Support staff as the School and AUT works towards becoming a Te Tiriti o Waitangi-led (Treaty of Waitangi) organisation.
Provide leadership and direction for the School of Social Sciences and Humanities.
Foster relationships with industry partners and stakeholders to ensure curriculum relevance and career opportunities.
Lead, mentor, and motivate academic and administrative staff to achieve school objectives.
Oversee budgeting, resource allocation, and efficient school operations.
Drive greater cross-disciplinary collaboration with other areas and disciplines of the Faculty and University.
Further enhance the sense of community and collaboration amongst staff.

You will be recognised as a culturally capable leader who champions inclusivity and diversity, and is committed to creativity and innovation! Your ability to listen, connect, collaborate, communicate and influence will be critical - as will be your strong respect for others. A resolute, robust and positive attitude is essential.

How to apply | Me pēhea te tuku tono

Along with your academic CV (with full publication list), please ensure to submit a) a cover letter which explains why this role and AUT are of interest to you, and b) a statement addressing how your experience aligns with the key selection criteria we're seeking below:

A record of academic achievement (or equivalent) suitable for appointment as a professor (preferably) or an associate professor. Please highlight relevant cross-disciplinary contributions.
Discipline expertise within social sciences or humanities.
Direct academic staff management experience, such as leading a programme, department or school. Please outline the size/scale of staff led, along with successes developing and sustaining growth and ensuring a positive work culture for staff.
Demonstrated development of significant industry and community connections and partnerships.
Significant experience leading strategic change demonstrating excellent understanding of cultural, operational, and organisational change management.
Applicants are welcome to add further comments they may feel of relevance.

Further Information:

Start Date: The successful candidate would ideally join AUT in early 2026 (to be agreed).
Term: The successful candidate will secure a 5-year term to the role of Head of School (with potential for further extension).
Salary: Aligned with the appropriate step in AUT's academic pay scales (Professor range: NZD $156,354 - $201,425; Associate Professor NZD $142,835 - $165,36+). An additional annual allowance is paid for the Head of School responsibilities.
For academic enquiries, please contact Professor Kate Kearins: Acting Dean, Faculty of Culture and Society - [email protected]. For recruitment enquiries, contact Mike Wood: AUT Executive Recruitment Partner - [email protected].

Advertising closes: Sunday 3 November at 11.55pm. We expect interviews to take place in November.

Reference: +032+
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