Chief Academic Officer

• Permanent, full-time position with free onsite parking
• A fantastic opportunity to lead academic excellence, innovation and strategic growth across the University College.
• Be an integral part of Excelsia’s life-transforming global Christian learning community.

About the Role

The Chief Academic Officer provides strategic leadership of Excelsia’s academic portfolio, driving excellence in teaching, learning, research and student outcomes.

Primary responsibilities include:

• To provide strategic leadership for teaching and learning, scholarship, research, course portfolio development and associated community engagement, aligned with the mission and vision of Excelsia University College (Excelsia), and achieving optimal outcomes for students.
• To provide leadership and oversight of the Heads of School, ELICOS Program Director, Deputy Chief Academic Officer, ensuring the effective, efficient and optimal management of the academic portfolio and supporting high-quality student learning, development and outcomes.
• To lead the implementation of relevant priorities and initiatives within the Strategic Plan.
• To be responsible for course development and review, and course portfolio development in collaboration with members of Management Committee.
• To articulate and communicate Excelsia’s academic vision to internal and external stakeholders, while ensuring the integrity, quality and continuous improvement of Excelsia’s academic programs.
• Oversees academic programs (development, delivery, review and improvement), faculty affairs and many academic support functions of Excelsia, embedded by a Christian worldview.
• Works to ensure the fulfilment of institutional mission and goals and provides academic vision and leadership.
• Contribute to leadership of Excelsia through active membership of the Management Committee and the Academic Board.

Selection Criteria

Qualifications and Professional Standing:

• Committed Christian involved in a local congregation.
• Earned Doctorate from an accredited and respected national or international University, preferably in a discipline area consistent with the Excelsia’s academic disciplinary expertise.
• Five or more years of demonstrated excellent higher education management skills with an ability to administer multiple departments at a higher education provider and working in a multi-disciplinary, multi-campus and online/accelerated education environment.
• Experience in leading a university department, with involvement new course and faculty development, as well as involvement in institution academic governance will be an advantage.
• Demonstrated capability to develop, launch, review and enhance degree programs with strong student numbers and graduate outcomes.
• Strong research record as evidenced by the securing of external funding and an excellent publication record, preferably in refereed journals.
• Demonstrated leadership capability including mentoring and coaching Department Heads to deliver.
• Proven ability to facilitate and manage organisational change.

• Demonstrable experience as strategic thinker with proven ability to both prioritise critical goals and execute strategies in the successful achievement of goals within budget and time frame constraints.
• Demonstrable success as a team player, collaborator and consensus builder who is proactive in conflict resolution. Ability to demonstrate high integrity, vision, innovation, energy and enthusiasm for the mission, vision and values of Excelsia and to be self-motivated in a fast pace changing environment.
• Strong oral and written communications skills and experience in preparing timely, clear and concise documentation.
• Proven time management skills and ability to work under pressure with minimal supervision.
• A commitment to lifelong learning.
• Knowledge of and ability to apply equal opportunity principles and work health and safety principles in the workplace.
• Full Australian Working Rights.

About Us

Excelsia University College was founded in 1983 as Australia’s first Christian arts college and, together with Indiana Wesleyan University, we are part of a global Christian learning community with big plans to take Christian higher education to the next level in Australia and the Asia-Pacific region for undergraduate and postgraduate students.

Excelsia Benefits

• Maximise your “take home” income through our Salary Packaging scheme.
• Enjoy family friendly policies, providing generous leave and working conditions.
• Experience working in a spiritually rich environment, with opportunities to engage in devotions.
• Upskill with our substantial tuition discount to eligible staff and their immediate families to study Excelsia courses.
• Our employees have access to earned wages, the ability to save before you’re paid, financial education, and much more.

This full-time position is based in Pennant Hills.

How to Apply

If you meet the above criteria, you have a great opportunity to join our Christian community. Please provide your application with resume and covering letter addressing the position criteria via this website. If you have any queries regarding the position or application process, please contact us via work@excelsia.edu.au.

This position may be filled as soon as a suitable applicant is found, so early applications are encouraged.

Excelsia University College is a smoke free campus.