Executive Dean - Faculty of Society and Business

• Shape the future of a bold new faculty, harnessing the strengths of diverse disciplines to create knowledge, research and partnerships that deliver real-world impact.
• Lead and inspire over 800 staff, fostering a high-performing culture that empowers outstanding teaching, research and student success.
• Influence at scale, shaping AUT’s interdisciplinary collaboration and strategic partnerships as a member of our Vice-Chancellor's Executive.
• 5-year fixed-term appointment based at AUT's City Campus in Auckland.

Auckland University of Technology (AUT) is New Zealand's newest university and one of its most distinctive. Centred on students and grounded in knowledge that works, AUT is 5-star rated by QS, with more than 27,000 students and 4,000 staff based primarily across three Auckland campuses. It's a place of real opportunity, where the values of Pono, Tika and Aroha shape how talented, progressive people work together – and you'll feel that in the culture, in the collaboration and in the difference the work makes for students, communities and the world.

Our community is stronger because of the role Te Tiriti plays in how we operate, and because Māori and Pacific knowledge, leadership and contribution are central to who we are. We embrace diversity in all its forms and are proud to welcome people of all ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, religious and political beliefs, socio-economic situations and accessibility needs. 

Faculty of Society and Business

AUT is merging its dynamic faculties of Business, Economics and Law and Culture and Society. The new faculty will educate over 6,100 students (EFTS) and offer an exceptional breadth of expertise uniting commercial, legal, social and cultural perspectives to address complex real-world challenges and create meaningful impact. Students will benefit from innovative, interdisciplinary learning that combines professional preparation with a deep understanding of people, communities and global trends. Academics will have exciting new opportunities for collaboration across diverse disciplines, driving research, partnerships and impact. With a strong focus on innovation, inclusion and future-focused thinking, this unique faculty will be a vibrant environment where students and staff can thrive, lead and make a lasting impact in Aotearoa and beyond.

For more information on this role and AUT, please visit the online candidate guide HERE.

The Opportunity | Te Whiwhinga mahi

We are seeking a visionary Executive Dean to provide outstanding strategic, academic and people leadership. You will help ensure the faculty's teaching, research and partnerships create real-world impact for students, industry and communities.  This is a rare opportunity to shape a distinctive faculty that brings together expertise across business, economics, law, social sciences, education, humanities and creative disciplines - creating powerful opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration, innovation and impact. You will lead and empower a faculty leadership team of eight direct reports, with overall responsibility for over 800 staff dedicated to transformational teaching, enhancing the student experience, and delivering high-quality, impactful research. We are ambitious, future-focused and open to adventurous approaches that challenge convention, embrace innovation and turn great ideas into reality. This role oversees an operating budget of circa NZD $118 million. As a member of the Vice-Chancellor's Executive, and a range of University governance and advisory bodies, you will play a pivotal role in shaping both the future of the faculty and the wider direction of AUT.

Key focus areas include:

• Shape the future of a newly established faculty by successfully embedding the merger and realising the full potential of a bold, multidisciplinary vision spanning Business, Economics, Law, Culture and Society.
• Elevate research excellence, relevance and impact, driving stronger research performance, innovation, partnerships and reputation.
• Leverage the faculty's scale and diversity to drive interdisciplinary collaboration and greater academic, industry and societal impact.
• Strengthen and optimise the academic portfolio, enhancing programme quality, relevance and connectivity while creating seamless pathways for students across disciplines.
• Build a unified, high-performing culture, developing a strong shared identity, empowering staff and creating an environment where people, ideas and innovation thrive.
• Champion and advance the faculty's commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, embedding AUT's Te Tiriti framework and strengthening Māori success, partnership and outcomes across all aspects of the faculty.

About you | Ko wai koe

You'll bring an open, engaging and collaborative approach, with the flexibility to respond to changing requirements and actively contribute to a positive and collegial environment. You will demonstrate awareness and respect when engaging with culturally diverse communities. Experience supporting indigenous, equity or inclusion-focused initiatives is highly desirable.

We welcome applications from inspiring senior academic, business, industry and community leaders from both within and outside the university sector.  Applicants should have the following characteristics:

1. An accomplished senior leader with expertise relevant to the faculty's disciplines, and a proven ability to deliver strategic, academic and organisational outcomes in complex environments.
2. Significant people leadership experience at scale, with proven capability to inspire, develop and align large and diverse teams, foster high-performing cultures and deliver results through others.
3. Suitability for appointment as Professor, either a record of academic achievement, research, innovation and professional impact or equivalent distinction through industry, professional practice or executive leadership.
4. A champion for equity, diversity and inclusion, with the ability to advance AUT's Te Tiriti commitments and strengthen Māori, Pacific and equitable outcomes.
5. Demonstrated success leading strategic change and transformation, bringing people together around a shared vision and embedding sustainable organisational change.
6. Proven success advancing research excellence, impact and innovation, building high-performing research environments and external partnerships.
7. Significant experience fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation, leveraging diverse disciplines to strengthen research, education, partnerships and
8. Strong strategic, commercial and financial acumen, including experience building industry, community, international and stakeholder partnerships that deliver impact.

How to apply | Me pēhea te tuku tono 

Please submit the following via AUT’s careers site by clicking the 'Apply' button

1. A cover letter detailing why this unique role and AUT appeal to you, and what impact and contribution you believe you could make.
2. A statement addressing how your experience aligns with the key characteristics above.
3. Your full CV (including a comprehensive publication list, research funding/grant acquisitions) and details of the scale, scope and impact of leadership roles held. 

Further Information: 

• Start date: Early-mid 2027 (to be agreed). 
• Term: The successful candidate will secure a 5-year term, renewable by mutual agreement.  A competitive remuneration package will be agreed, commensurate with skills and experience.
• For enquiries or to arrange a confidential conversation: Contact Mike Wood: AUT Executive Recruitment Partner – mike.wood@aut.ac.nz.   

Advertising closes: Sunday 1 November at 11.55pm NZST

Shortlisting: mid-November. Interviews: late-November/early-December.

Reference: 96924.

Nā tō rourou, nā taku rourou ka ora ai te iwi.

With your food basket and my food basket, the people will thrive.