Chief Academic Officer (Tafe Queensland)

The Chief Academic Officer plays a pivotal role in establishing TAFE Queensland’s commercial viability in the competitive Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector by strengthening TAFE Queensland’s academic reputation and market position.

As the foremost academic leader and educational expert, you will provide strategic advice relevant to TAFE Queensland’s diverse offering, which has expanded beyond traditional VET programs to include higher-level tertiary qualifications. This is a true change leadership opportunity and instrumental in shaping the future of Queensland’s VET sector.

Reporting to the CEO and working collaboratively with the Board and senior executives across TAFE Queensland, the Chief Academic Officer is responsible for leading:

• academic strategies and governance including learning and teaching quality, educational delivery and systems support, quality assurance, academic program management and overseeing all re-registration audits as required by ASQA and TEQSA
• the academic portfolio team, comprising 6 direct and 133 indirect staff
• education innovation, staying abreast of educational technologies
• collaboration with key agencies and business partners to provide learning solutions for emerging industries
• the development of a diverse suite of VET and higher education products to meet evolving industry and community needs

About TAFE Queensland:

As the largest and most experienced provider of vocational education and training in Queensland, with a history of serving Queensland communities for over 140 years, TAFE Queensland plays the central role in the development of a highly skilled and flexible workforce that contributes to future economic growth.

TAFE Queensland enrolls more than 120,000 students and apprentices each year across a network of over 60 campuses, on-site, online, in the workplace or on-campus. Highly responsive to both students and market needs, TAFE Queensland offers entry-level certificates through to bachelor degrees and comprehensive trade training, offering more than 500 programs.

Key Capabilities for the Role:

• Significant educational leadership experience and demonstrated achievement leading substantial academic and professional change management, organisational development, and creating a culture to deliver the academic strategy within a large and complex organisation in a commercialised environment.
• Senior leadership experience within an educational context.
• Demonstrated ability to leverage interpersonal and communication skills to build strategic relationships and to lead a culture of performance in operational areas.
• Demonstrated negotiation, consultative, communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to deal with the potentially competing needs of various stakeholders.
• Demonstrated understanding of the VET and HE environment at the international, national, state and local levels.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and execute educational strategy within a business of significant scale and/or breadth of offering with agility.
• Demonstrated experience in leading the introduction of technologies that deliver improved educational and organisational outcomes.

How to Apply:

For further information, please review the role description available at https://meritsolutions.applynow.net.au/jobs/Merit9634 (please copy and paste the link). 

To apply for this role, please provide the following:

• A detailed resume which includes the contact details of two (2) referees (one of whom is your current supervisor).
• A cover letter that outlines your skills, abilities, knowledge and experience in response to the key capabilities as listed above (maximum of three (3) pages in total).

TAFE Queensland values diversity and inclusion and provides employment opportunities which are inclusive of peoples from all diversity groups.

The preferred base location for this role is Mount Gravatt, however, this is negotiable.

If you require more information, or to discuss your application, in confidence, please contact Paula Cordier, Executive Recruitment Consultant, Merit Solutions on 07 3220 1*** or via email at ************@meritsolutions.com.au

Applications close Monday, 25 March 2024.