Dean, School of Law

Western Sydney University is a modern, forward-thinking, research-led university, located in the heart of Australia’s fastest-growing, economically significant region. The University has 13 campuses, more than 200,000 alumni, almost 50,000 students and approximately 3,500 staff. Our University is ranked in the top two per cent of universities worldwide, and was placed 1st worldwide and in Australia for its commitment to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals in the Times Higher Education (THE) University Impact Rankings.

The School of Law is committed to excellence and innovation in teaching, research and community engagement. It has a research focus on Public and Constitutional Law, Human Rights and Social Justice issues and a leading clinical program through the Justice Clinic. The School offers LLB, JD and combined LLB undergraduate degrees, and an LLM degree, as well as providing law teaching for business degrees at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. LLB programs are taught at Parramatta and Campbelltown and there are approximately 1,600 EFTSL in the Law School.

Reporting to the Provost, the Dean will lead the School within the broad parameters of the University’s strategic directions (cf. Sustaining Success: 2021-2026), in accordance with its mission, and lead the further development of its innovation in teaching, research and engagement with the legal profession and with our local communities, nationally and across the broader Asia Pacific region. The Dean will be responsible for the academic standing and overall leadership of the School and will craft and execute strategic initiatives, leveraging innovative approaches and fostering a supportive environment for staff and students. Supported by a dedicated leadership team, the Dean will oversee the School’s operational management, ensuring efficient resource allocation and effective execution of the University’s and School’s shared vision.

With a distinguished record of scholarly achievement in law, strong leadership abilities and professional experience, the successful candidate will provide strategic direction, inspire staff and students, and navigate the complexities of the University and profession more broadly. You will be a contemporary and innovative leader, with an ability to anticipate and adapt to changing trends in legal education and research. Moreover, you will bring a strong and strategic sense of the future, in the context of the working lives of graduates, leading edge research and development, and opportunities for academic growth that have regional, national and international relevance. You will bring an energy and resilience to engage with the challenges and opportunities offered by an ambitious university. You will bring a capacity to articulate a strategic vision for the School, and the ability to lead and manage change to achieve that vision. Furthermore, you will cultivate a diverse network within the legal profession, academia, government, and the broader community, to facilitate partnerships and fundraising efforts.

Odgers Berndtson is assisting WSU with this appointment. More information on the role can be found at www.odgersberndtson.com/91094

For a confidential conversation, please contact Dr Alistair Clark on +61 436 019 *** or **************@odgersberndtson.com or Phillipa Whitehouse on ***************@odgersberndtson.com or +61 438 678 ***.

The closing date for applications is Monday 1 April 2024.