Position available: Leadership Program Director

The University of Divinity seeks to recruit a Leadership Program Director for immediate commencement. This is a full-time, fixed-term position (concluding on 31 December 2026) within the School of Professional Practice, at the University’s main campus in Box Hill, Victoria.

Candidates interest in part-time employment are also encouraged to apply.

We encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to apply.

About the University

The University of Divinity delivers education and research in theology, philosophy, spirituality, counselling, and a range of related areas, and for over one hundred years has prepared its graduates for ministry, leadership and community service.

The University is regularly ranked by students as the top University in Australia for student satisfaction and learner engagement, reflecting the high quality of its curriculum and the dedication of staff to working with small classes.

The University operates across Australia and works in partnership with its Colleges and Schools, over thirty churches, religious orders and associated organisations in a unique ecumenical enterprise.

The University’s purpose is to excel in education, engagement, and research in religious beliefs and spiritual practices and their contemporary application. The University’s aim is to enable our graduates and partners to serve the common good and to be agents of transformation in the world.

For more information, please see www.divinity.edu.au.

About the School of Professional Practice

The School of Professional Practice (SPP) provides a transformative educational context for mature ethical practitioners to think, enquire, reflect, and challenge.

Recognising the inherent dignity of every human being, students are encouraged to develop the foundations, skills, attitude, and knowledge to work within diverse contexts to become professionally resilient.

Students and staff will be part of an open-hearted community of learners growing in insight together to effectively engage the complexities of the 21st century workplace.

Position Description

Leadership Program Director

The Leadership Program Director is accountable to the Head of School of Professional Practice and the University’s Academic Board for delivery of the postgraduate Leadership Program. The Program Director builds relationships with professional associations and employers to identify student recruitment pathways, placement opportunities, and potential jobs for graduates. The Program Director coordinates the development and delivery of the Graduate Certificate in Leadership, Graduate Diploma in Leadership and Master of Leadership through the School of Professional Practice.

Responsibilities

• End-to-end responsibility for development and delivery of the University’s postgraduate Leadership Programs.
• Develop, in consultation with the Head of the School of Professional Practice, a business plan for the postgraduate Leadership Program.
• Oversee and lead the development of the curriculum for the postgraduate Leadership Program including the Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma and Master of Leadership.
• Advocate for and promote the University’s postgraduate Leadership Program and its graduates to prospective students, ecclesial partners, and the wider community.
• Liaise with prospective students and be the primary point of academic contact for students enrolled in the postgraduate Leadership Program including admission, course advice and enrolment.
• Coordinate and participate in the delivery of teaching of courses and units, including recruitment and supervision of teaching staff.
• Exercise responsibility for the academic quality of awards, including marking, examination and moderation of assessment.
• Develop relationships to with professional associations and graduate employers.
• Develop relationships to provide employment for graduates with the University’s partners and the wider community.
• Maintain research active status as defined by the Academic Staff Policy and participate in the academic life of the University
• Supervise high education research students in the relevant area of expertise.

Working relationships

The Doctor of Professional Practice Program Director:

• Reports to the Head of School of Professional Practice.
• Is accountable through the Head of School of Professional Practice to the University Executive and the Academic Board.
• Supervises academic staff engaged to teach the Leadership Program.
• Reports on quality indicators of the Leadership Program and contributes to the Academic Committee of the School of Professional Practice.
• Liaises with staff in Colleges, Libraries and the Office of the Vice-Chancellor as required for the effective operation of the Leadership Program.
• Liaises with students, graduates, and end-users of the Program to ensure the Program’s successful development in education, research and employment outcomes.

Selection criteria:

• Academic qualifications in Ministry, Leadership, Business or related discipline, with a PhD or equivalent in Psychology, Educational Leadership or equivalent.
• Experience in the development and delivery of PG Leadership awards.
• Capacity to coordinate the delivery of the PG Leadership Program demonstrated by experience in the management of similar academic programs at a university setting.
• Experience in teaching and research supervision, including working online and delivering online content.
• Capacity to engage in the University’s vision for the PG Leadership Program demonstrated in the ability to develop and implement goals and to inspire others.
• Strong interpersonal skills demonstrated in the ability to work well with a diverse range of people.
• Excellent organisational and time management skills, demonstrated in the ability to set priorities, meet due dates, and work collaboratively.
• Ability to exercise academic and professional judgement.
• Outstanding oral and written communication skills.

Key performance indicators

• A Business Plan for the University’s PG Leadership Program by February 2024.
• The set of study units of the Graduate Courses in Leadership are developed to be delivered in Semester 1 2024.
• Recruitment of 20-30 students for 2024 intakes.
• Recruitment of appropriate qualified and experienced academic staff for 2024 academic year.
• 85% Progression rate of students by the end of 2024.
• Research outputs and supervision as negotiated with the Head of the School of Professional Practice.

Terms and conditions

The position of Leadership Program Director is a full-time, fixed-term appointment (concluding on 31 December 2026), subject to completion of a six-month probationary period and satisfactory performance.

The position will be remunerated under the Higher Education Industry – Academic Staff award on the University’s salary scale of at least a Level C with a loading of 10%, plus 11% superannuation and 17.5% annual leave loading.

How to apply

Closing date for applications: Sunday 3 September 2023, 5pm AEST.

Applications must include:

• A cover letter addressing the selection criteria
• A curriculum vitae
• Contact details for three referees

Send applications electronically to: Meg Nelson, Operations Manager, mnelson@divinity.edu.au
For queries about the role, contact 03 9853 3177 (option 0 for reception)