Dean - School of Health Sciences & Clinical Practice

Who we are:
At Torrens University Australia, making a difference is in our DNA. As a Certified B Corporation, we belong to a global community of future-focused companies using business as a force for good. We believe in the transformative power of education to change lives, families, communities – and the world. That’s why we’re on a mission to increase access to higher education, so learners from all walks of life can chase their dreams.

A progressive university, we ground our studies in industry. Expert academics bring their insights into the classroom, with a range of assessment types that aim to be authentic and informed by industry needs. Bridging the gap between study and work, our educators prepare students for career success and connect them with future employers. Building relevant skills, experience and networks from day one, students don’t just learn about their industry, they live it.

What’s the job?
As Dean of the School of Health Sciences & Clinical Practice, you will be the senior academic and operational leader of the School, responsible for driving academic excellence, student success, industry engagement, innovation, growth and operational performance across its portfolio.

Reporting to the Provost and Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic, you will lead the School in alignment with the University’s strategic direction, objectives and key performance indicators. You will oversee learning and teaching, academic quality, curriculum innovation, student experience, workforce capability, partnerships, financial sustainability and growth.

You will lead a high-performing, industry-connected and student-centred School that delivers outstanding educational outcomes through innovative pedagogy, digitally enabled learning, authentic assessment and contemporary workforce-aligned curriculum.

This is an exciting opportunity to help shape the future of higher education at Torrens University Australia. As the higher education ecosystem continues to evolve, you will be at the forefront of new and innovative approaches to teaching and learning.

You will have the opportunity to build on the School’s existing identity, contribute to its continued growth and help shape its next chapter. This is a role for someone who is open to new ideas, embraces innovation and is excited to guide meaningful development and change.

Principle accountabilities (but not limited to):

• Strategic Leadership and Academic Quality

• Learning, Teaching and Curriculum Innovation

• Student Success and Experience

• Industry Engagement and External Partnerships

• Financial and Operational Leadership

• Research, Scholarship and Innovation

• People Leadership and Organisational Capability

Who you are - Criteria:

1. An experienced senior academic leader with a strong record in higher education or a multi-sector education environment, including responsibility for academic delivery, quality, student outcomes and operational performance.

2. You hold an earned doctorate and have academic standing appropriate for appointment at Professorial level, with demonstrated credibility in learning and teaching, academic governance and curriculum innovation.

3. You have a strong understanding of the Australian higher education regulatory environment, including TEQSA, the Higher Education Standards Framework, ESOS obligations and relevant professional accreditation requirements.

4. You have experience leading online, digitally enabled and multi-campus education, with a strong understanding of contemporary pedagogy, workforce-aligned curriculum and integrated higher education and vocational education pathways.

5. You bring experience managing complex academic operations, budgets, workforce planning, organisational change and industry partnerships that support employability and student outcomes.

6. You are an inspirational, inclusive and collaborative leader with strong communication, influencing and stakeholder engagement skills, a commitment to equity and inclusion, and a clear focus on student success and institutional impact.

7. Relevant qualifications or experience in health sciences, clinical practice or a related discipline would be highly regarded.

Please submit your resume and a cover letter addressing the seven criteria outlined above.

To read more about the role please click here.

This is a permanent full-time position based at one of our Campus locations in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide.

Why join us?
Bold, modern and agile, we are Australia's fastest-growing university, going from 164 students in 2014 to 40,000+ alumni across 115+ countries and 2,000+ staff today. In 2020, Australian Financial Review named us one of the country's most innovative companies. As we continue to establish ourselves as a truly global university, we never lose sight of our student-centric approach. Supported by teams of passionate people, you will find opportunities for professional development and career progression.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and committed to creating an inclusive workplace. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, religion, age, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, or any other protected characteristic.

We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples for all positions.

Hiring process

Please submit your resume and a cover letter addressing the seven criteria outlined above.

We aim to provide you with the information you need at each stage of this process to help you present your best self.

If you have any accessibility requirements, please contact your recruiter at maur.bell@torrens.edu.au for confidential support. We are committed to ensuring an equitable, barrier-free application process and have a Reasonable Adjustment Procedure in place to support you throughout the recruitment process.

To learn more about what makes Torrens University Australia a great place to work, visit https://www.torrens.edu.au/blog.

We’d love to hear from you.

Job reference: R31492

To ensure a fair and thorough review process, applications for this role will close on 9th December 2026.

If you require a reasonable accommodation to complete our application process, please contact our Human Resources Department at yourcareer@torrens.edu.au