Head of School, Future Environments

• Lead our innovative School to continued growth and success  
• Seeking inspirational and authentic academic and people leadership  
• 5-year fixed-term appointment, based at AUT's City Campus 

As one of the world's top 100 young universities and New Zealand's newest, Auckland University of Technology (AUT) is a university of opportunity where all students with talent and potential have the chance to succeed. We are a socially-driven university with equity and excellence central to our purpose and actions, and we offer a stimulating teaching and research environment with strong connections to government, business, and industry. AUT has more than 26,000 students and over 4,000 staff based primarily at our three Auckland  campuses.  

AUT's School of Future Environments  

AUT's dynamic  School of Future Environments/Huri Te Ao is one of AUT's newest and fastest growing Schools. Our mission is to develop innovative programmes in Built Environment Engineering: Civil, Construction, Architecture and Emerging Technologies - as well as transdisciplinary connections across those fields. We focus on the creative design and construction of our built environments for a more sustainable future, and are ideally placed to address both local and global issues. The School is based in our Faculty of Design and Creative Technologies/Te Ara Auaha, a diverse community of creative, technical, scientific and entrepreneurial thinkers, makers, researchers, and doers, working in an environment designed to foster imagination and innovation.  

https://www.aut.ac.nz/study/study-options/architecture-and-built-environment 

https://www.aut.ac.nz/study/study-options/creative-technologies  

Please ensure to review the candidate information handbook available for this role (includes detail on the Faculty, School, AUT, the position description and more). 

The opportunity | Te Whiwhinga mahi 

This is an exciting opportunity to lead a truly future-focussed School. You will provide outstanding academic, administrative and people leadership to approximately 48 (FTE) deeply committed staff, who are focussed on educating over 1380 EFTS students whilst providing research with impact. The School is in a strong position and we are looking for an experienced academic people leader to continue the great progress made, whilst embracing space for your own innovative thinking. We are a diverse School and you will be comfortable communicating with different groups and disciplines. 

We are particularly interested in Professors (or Associate Professors of high standing) with staff management experience and expertise within one (or more) of following fields: 

• Architecture or Built Environment Engineering (any of civil, construction, environmental, infrastructure, logistics)  

You will play a critical part in achieving the School and Faculty's strategic objectives, and become a key member of the Dean's Leadership Team. 

Key focus areas will include: 

• Lead the continued development of a School culture focused on excellence in teaching, research, service and other academic contributions. 
• Lift the School's external profile to become the leading provider of students to, and industry academic partner for, New Zealand's architectural and built environment engineering sectors. 
• A champion for equity embracing AUT's Te Aronui framework. Support staff as the School and AUT works towards becoming a Te Tiriti o Waitangi-led (Treaty of Waitangi) organisation. 
• Further enhance the sense of community and collaboration amongst staff. Continue to operationalise already-approved curriculum reform. 
• Drive greater cross-disciplinary collaboration with other areas and disciplines of the Faculty and University. 

You will be recognised as a culturally capable leader who champions inclusivity and diversity, and is committed to creativity and innovation. Your ability to listen, connect, collaborate, communicate and influence will be critical - as will be your strong respect for others. A resolute, robust and positive attitude is essential. 

How to apply | Me pēhea te tuku tono  

Along with your academic CV (with full publication list), please ensure you submit a) a cover letter which explains why this role and AUT are of interest to you, and b) a statement addressing how your experience aligns with the key selection criteria we are seeking below: 

1. A record of academic achievement (or equivalent) suitable for appointment as a professor or an associate professor. Please highlight relevant cross-disciplinary contributions. 
2. Discipline expertise in one (or more) of the following:  Architecture or Built Environment Engineering (any of civil, construction, environmental, infrastructure, logistics)  
3. Direct academic staff management experience, such as leading a department or school. Please outline the size/scale of staff led, along with successes developing/sustaining growth and ensuring a positive work culture for staff. 
4. A champion for equity. Capability to lead and support the School on its Te Tiriti journey. 
5. Demonstrated development of significant industry and community connections and partnerships. 
6. Significant experience leading strategic change demonstrating excellent understanding of cultural, operational, and organisational change management. 
7. A brief summary of your interest and experience embracing innovation in previous leadership roles. 
8. Applicants are welcome to add further comments they may feel of relevance. 

 Further Information: 

• Start Date: The successful candidate would ideally join AUT in mid-late 2025 (to be agreed). 
• Term: The successful candidate will secure a 5-year fixed-term to the role of Head of School (with potential for further extension). Please note, this position does not include an additional substantive permanent academic appointment. 
• Salary: Aligned with the appropriate step in AUT's academic pay scales (Professor range: NZD $162,608 - $209,052; Associate Professor NZD $148,548 - $171,983). An additional annual allowance is paid for the Head of School responsibilities. 
• Enquiries: Please contact Mike Wood, AUT Executive Recruitment Partner - mike.wood@aut.ac.nz.   

Advertising closes:  Sunday 1 June at 11.55pm (NZST)

Reference: 90329