Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation)

The University of Wollongong (UOW) is a globally recognised leader in higher education, renowned for its academic excellence, pioneering research, transformative teaching, and deep commitment to societal impact. Nestled on the beautiful New South Wales south coast, UOW is home to over 33,000 students from 130+ countries and ranks among the world’s top 1% of universities. We are dedicated to fostering innovation that addresses global challenges while driving regional and national growth.

We seek an outstanding academic leader to steer UOW’s research and innovation strategy. As Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation), you will advance the University’s global research standing, strengthen partnerships with industry and government, and cultivate an environment where high-impact discovery thrives. Reporting to the Vice-Chancellor and working with the senior executive team, you will ensure UOW’s research and innovation remains competitive, agile, sustainable, and globally impactful. 

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and execute strategies to elevate UOW’s research performance, impact, and international reputation.
• Building on the strong alliances with 300+ global university partners, industry leaders, and government bodies to further strengthen research collaborations and commercialisation.
• Foster an inclusive, high-performing research culture that empowers interdisciplinary collaborations and early-career researcher development.
• Align research priorities with societal needs, driving solutions in critical areas such as sustainability, health, and technology.

Ideal Candidate:

• A visionary leader with a distinguished record of research leadership in higher education.
• Expertise in navigating complex funding systems, innovation ecosystems, and global research trends.
• Exceptional communication skills and the ability to manage and inspire teams toward shared goals. 
• Proven ability to build partnerships that deliver measurable economic and societal impact.
• A collaborative, forward-thinking mindset with a commitment to equity, sustainability, and academic excellence. 

Why Join UOW?

• Lead at a globally ranked institution with deep regional ties and a commitment to solving global challenges.  
• Access cutting-edge facilities, a network of research institutes, and a culture of excellence and bold thinking.
• Competitive remuneration and opportunities to shape UoW’s strategies and future growth. 

The University of Wollongong will be supported in its global search for this appointment by the executive search firm Perrett Laver.

For more information, a copy of the candidate brochure, or for a confidential conversation, please contact Janelle Entwistle (Managing Partner, Australia) or James Boyd (Partner) at UOWDVCRI@perrettlaver.com

To submit your application, please click the above Apply button, quoting reference 7883.

The deadline for applications is 9am AEST Friday 6^th June. 

If you require any reasonable adjustments to assist you in the selection process, please advise us of these so that we can make appropriate arrangements. 

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