Executive Dean - School of Science, Computing, and Emerging Technologies

• Lead the School of Science, Computing, and Emerging Technologies
• Full-time, five-year fixed term position at our Hawthorn campus
• Attractive salary + 17% super and staff benefits

Lead academic excellence, innovation and sustainable growth

About the Role

Swinburne University of Technology is seeking an accomplished academic leader to lead the School of Science, Computing and Emerging Technologies. Reporting to the Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Chief Academic Officer, you will set the School’s strategic direction and be accountable for its quality, performance and financial sustainability. You will bring together excellence in education, research and innovation to strengthen student outcomes and deliver impact through industry and community partnerships.

This is an opportunity to shape the School’s future across its departments, research units and discipline groups. You will lead the development of relevant, innovative and financially sustainable courses, strengthen research excellence and impact, and build an environment in which innovation and entrepreneurship can flourish. Through partnerships within Swinburne and with industry, government and other universities, you will advance collaborative research, commercialisation and new products and services.

As a member of the Academic Executive Group and the Vice Chancellor’s Advisory Group, you will contribute to University-wide strategy, governance and decision-making. You will work across disciplines and portfolios to support Swinburne’s growth, international engagement and long-term sustainability.

Your leadership priorities will include:

• Delivering an outstanding student experience through high-quality teaching, innovative course design and continuous improvement across delivery channels and partners.
• Strengthening research performance and impact through collaborative projects, external funding, high-quality postgraduate research supervision, and a commitment to research integrity and security.
• Building national and international partnerships that support education, research, commercialisation and a sustainable international footprint.
• Developing the School’s staffing profile and allocating workload strategically and cost-effectively, while supporting staff performance, key talent and succession planning.
• Taking full profit-and-loss accountability, aligning budgets and student load forecasts with strategic priorities, and acting to achieve financial and performance targets.
• Creating an inclusive, collaborative culture that supports staff and students, encourages innovation and entrepreneurship, and upholds academic quality and good governance.

You will have the scope to shape education and research across science, computing and emerging technologies, develop the next generation of academic leaders, and strengthen the School’s contribution to Swinburne’s Ad Astra strategy.

About You

You will bring:

• Demonstrated profile as an international academic leader in the relevant field, and the ability to lead across broader discipline areas within this field.
• Strong business acumen, with the ability to identify and realise commercial opportunities, manage resources effectively and deliver financially sustainable outcomes.
• Excellent strategic, analytical and conceptual skills, with a proven ability to develop and implement strategy in a complex environment.
• A record of collaborative leadership across disciplines and sectors, including learning and teaching leadership that improves student outcomes and supports innovative course development.
• Demonstrated research leadership, including the ability to develop staff and research programs that achieve national and international outcomes through collaboration with universities, industry and government.
• A thorough understanding of Australian tertiary education, international activities, and the leadership, management and governance of contemporary universities.
• High-level communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage academic, professional and technical staff, students, and senior stakeholders in industry and government; lead consultatively; and support innovation, entrepreneurship and constructive change.

Qualifications

• A PhD in a relevant discipline.

*Please refer to the link at the bottom of this page to view the position description.

About Swinburne University of Technology 

Swinburne’s strategy draws upon our understanding of future challenges. We choose to build Swinburne as the prototype of a new and different university – one that is truly of Technology, of Innovation and of Entrepreneurship. We are committed to a differentiated university proposition in education and research.

Our Ad Astra strategy is the cornerstone of Swinburne’s bold ambition to lead globally in technology-driven education and research. This strategy positions us to create transformative solutions, empower learners, and partner with industry to thrive in an ever-changing world.  

What We Offer You!

• Work your way with flexible working arrangements, including hybrid options and generous parental leave to support a balanced lifestyle. 
• Exclusive staff discounts, including discounted Medibank health insurance, 50% off Swinburne courses and other partner offers.
• Swinburne offers 17% super and salary packaging options, including car leasing and extra super contributions.

Want to learn more? Head over to our benefits page!

To Apply 

Swinburne University will be supported in its global search for this position by the executive search firm - The Insight Group. 

For a confidential discussion about this opportunity or to apply, please contact Dr. Rohan Carr or Ms. Emily Witts at The Insight Group via applications@insightgroup.com.au or by phone on +61 3 9654 3288.

To review the Position Description, please scroll down to the bottom of the page. 

Appointment requires a valid Working with Children Check and National Police Check, or the ability to obtain one before commencement.

Applications Close: Sunday, 22 November 2026 at 11:30pm AEDT. 

Swinburne offers flexible working options contained in our leave and parenting/carer policies to support work-life balance.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Swinburne has become a world-class university, driving social and economic impacts through science, technology, and innovation. As a dual-sector university, our vision is for people and technology working together to build a better world.

Central to our vision is our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We pride ourselves on being an equal opportunity employer focused on attracting, retaining, and developing great talent. We work to remove barriers related to gender identity, culture, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, and age.

Swinburne is proud to be recognised as an AWEI Gold Employer, reflecting our commitment to creating an inclusive workplace where LGBTQIA+ employees, students and communities can thrive. As a member of the Science in Australia Gender Equity (SAGE) program, Swinburne is taking positive steps to effect change and we are committed to advancing gender equality in academia and in particular in STEM disciplines.

We strongly encourage applications from suitably qualified women and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Our Moondani Toombadool Centre leads our Indigenous education and culture at Swinburne, guided by community wisdom and leadership.

We support applicants with disabilities, and reasonable adjustments can be requested at any stage of the recruitment process.

For reasonable adjustment requests - including accessible formats of the position description, application form, or other documents, please contact talentacquisition@swin.edu.au or call +61 3 9214 3550. Please note: this phone number is for disability and reasonable adjustment enquiries only.  

Victoria’s Commitment to Action: Improving international student employment outcomes.

As a signatory to Victoria’s Commitment to Action, Swinburne seeks to remove barriers to international graduate employment. We welcome and encourage applications from international graduates. 

As a Circle Back Initiative Employer, we commit to responding to every applicant.

#LI-SWClick here for the Position Description