Head of School, Allied Health

• Seeking authentic, visionary academic and people leadership 
• Foster a distinct school identity and drive transformational goals
• Champion diversity, inclusion, and equity in quality of experiences for students and staff
• 5-year fixed-term appointment, based at AUT's North Shore Akoranga 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 at the heart of our purpose and actions. We offer a stimulating teaching and research environment, characterised by strong connections to government, business, and industry. AUT has more than 26,000 students and over 4,000 staff, primarily based at our three Auckland campuses.  

AUT's School of Allied Health

The School of Allied Health at AUT (part of our Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences - Te Ara Hauora ā Pūtaiao)  is a national leader in health education and clinical innovation, and offers undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Podiatry and Rehabilitation.  We are committed to the application of Te Aronui - AUT's Te Tiriti o Waitangi strategy, ensuring the school prepares graduates who are both clinically skilled and culturally responsive. AUT offers New Zealand's only university-based podiatry and occupational therapy degrees, and one of the largest physiotherapy programmes. Supported by world-class research, strong industry partnerships and interprofessional learning, the school provides a dynamic environment for collaboration and partnering with industry and community for those wishing to advance health outcomes in New Zealand and beyond.

Please note: A candidate information handbook for this role will be available soon. If you would like a copy sent to you at that time, please email mike.wood@aut.ac.nz to request this.

The Opportunity | Te Whiwhinga mahi 

This is an exceptional opportunity to become our new Head of School. We're open to experienced health leaders who have knowledge and expertise across some or all of the school's discipline areas and preferably an academic record enabling appointment as a professor or associate professor. 

This critical academic leadership position will contribute significantly to shaping the future direction of our faculty as a key member of the Dean's Leadership Team. The Head of School also serves as an externally engaged and highly visible leader, providing exemplary academic, administrative, and people management to our team of more than 100 (FTE) dedicated academic and professional staff members across Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Podiatry and Rehabilitation; while promoting research excellence and nurturing a collaborative and innovative School environment.

Key focus areas of this role include: 

• Contribute to the collaborative leadership of the Faculty through:
  • Faculty-wide strategic and financial planning
  • Undertaking cross-school initiatives
  • Championing equity and Te Tiriti o Waitangi commitments
  • Ensuring the effective delivery of faculty-wide goals
• Lead and manage the School of Allied Health, ensuring operational excellence and a cohesive, collaborative environment.
• Create a vibrant school research environment, driving research growth and innovation. Foster interdisciplinary research teams, leveraging the diversity and strengths of various health professions.
• Proactively cultivate strong partnerships with external stakeholders, particularly the regulatory bodies, Te Whatu Ora (Health NZ) and government agencies, to amplify the school's presence and influence.
•  Expand opportunities and strengthen community impact - ensuring the school's work is visible and valued at regional, national, and international levels.
• Drive the growth of international and postgraduate student enrolments, while ensuring high-quality clinical placements.
• Navigate complexities associated with increasing clinical placements for postgraduate students.

About you | Ko wai koe

You will be recognised as a positive, encouraging and 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 a strong respect for others. A resolute, robust and positive attitude is essential. 

We welcome applications innovative, inspiring senior academic leaders with staff management experience. The key selection criteria being sought are:

1. A record of academic achievement suitable for appointment ideally as a professor or associate professor. Please highlight relevant cross-disciplinary contributions. 
2. Proven leadership excellence, with a background in allied health disciplines (not necessarily limited to Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, or Podiatry).
3. Significant track record securing grant funding and leading research initiatives.
4. Significant successful external engagement experience with government, community and industry partnerships.
5. A champion for equity. Capability to lead and support the school on its Te Tiriti journey. 
6. A brief summary of any experience/expertise engaging in commercialisation or philanthropy.
7. Applicants are welcome to add further comments they may feel are relevant. 

How to apply | Me pēhea te tuku tono  

Along with your full academic CV (including a complete list of publications and grant acquisitions) - please ensure to submit a) a cover letter which explains why this particular role (and AUT) is of interest, and b) a statement addressing how you feel you meet some, or all, of the key selection criteria listed above.

Further Information: 

• Start Date: The successful candidate would ideally join AUT in late-2025/early-2026 (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 also paid for Head of School responsibilities. 
• Enquiries: Please contact Mike Wood, AUT Executive Recruitment Partner - mike.wood@aut.ac.nz.   

Advertising closes:  Sunday 14 September at 11.55pm

Reference: 93101