Pro Vice-Chancellor, Academic Program Innovation

• Swinburne University of Technology is seeking an exceptional leader for the role of Pro Vice-Chancellor Academic Program Innovation
•  Five-year fixed term | full-time position at our vibrant Hawthorn campus
• Attractive salary/flexible working arrangements

Swinburne University of Technology is a dynamic future-focused university at the intersection of technology, innovation, and real-world impact. With our strong industry and community engagement, we are committed to delivering world-class education and research outcomes that shape a better future.

In an era of rapid change across higher education, driven by digital disruption, shifting student expectations, global competition, and evolving funding models, we are seeking a visionary academic leader as Pro Vice-Chancellor Academic Program Innovation.

This is an opportunity to lead the transformation of Swinburne’s educational offerings, drive strategic design, renewal, and innovation of our academic programs, ensuring that they are attractive, digitally enabled, and aligned with student aspirations and government and industry demands.

You will closely collaborate with six higher education schools and our vocational education and training division to champion innovative curriculum and pedagogy. You will lead the renewal of Swinburne’s program portfolio.

We are looking for a dynamic strategic thinker with a proven track record in academic leadership and change management within higher education. You will bring a collaborative mindset, exceptional communication skills, and a passion for driving innovation and excellence in program innovation.

Join us to shape the next chapter of higher education—where technology meets purpose, and innovation meets impact.

About You
To be suitable for this role you will need to have experience in the below key accountabilities:

• senior academic leadership experience in a university context;
• extensive knowledge of the Australian higher education regulatory environment;
• proven experience in leading strategy, policy, and academic program development and innovation;
• strong stakeholder engagement and change management capabilities;
• exceptional leadership, negotiation, and decision-making skills; and
• a doctoral degree.

Swinburne’s strategy draws upon our understanding of future challenges. We choose to build Swinburne as the prototype of a new and different university – one that is truly of Technology, of Innovation and of Entrepreneurship. We are committed to a differentiated university proposition in education and research. 

To Apply 
Please submit your CV and cover letter addressing your suitability for this position.  

To review the Position Description and to apply, please scroll down to the bottom of the page. 

If you are viewing this advert from an external site, please click ‘apply’ and you will be redirected to Swinburne’s Jobs website to access the Position Description at the bottom of the page.

Please Note: Appointment to this position is subject to passing a Working with Children Check.

If you are experiencing technical difficulties with your application, please contact the Swinburne Talent Acquisition Team on talentacquisition@swin.edu.au .

Applications Close: Tuesday 15th July 2025 at 11pm.

Swinburne offers flexible working options contained in our leave and parenting/carer policies to support work-life balance.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Swinburne has become a world-class university, driving social and economic impacts through science, technology, and innovation. As a dual-sector university, our vision is for people and technology working together to build a better world.

Central to our vision is our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We pride ourselves on being an equal opportunity employer focused on attracting, retaining, and developing great talent. We work to remove barriers related to gender identity, culture, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, and age.

We strongly encourage applicants from diverse Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Our Moondani Toombadool Centre leads our Indigenous education and culture at Swinburne, guided by community wisdom and leadership.

We support applicants with disabilities. Adjustments can be requested at any time during the recruitment process. For Reasonable Adjustment requests, including accessible formats for the PD, application form or any other document, please contact at DCR@swin.edu.au or call +61 3 9214 3550.

Victoria’s Commitment to Action: Improving international student employment outcomes
As a signatory to Victoria’s Commitment to Action, Swinburne seeks to remove barriers to international graduate employment. We welcome and encourage applications from international graduates.  

As a Circle Back Initiative Employer, we commit to responding to every applicant.

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