Head, Department of Health and Society at University of Melbourne

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

13 Sep, 26

Salary

0.0

Posted On

15 Jun, 26

Experience

10 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Yes

Skills

Academic Leadership, Strategic Planning, Social And Behavioural Science, Health Equity, Lived Experience Research, Interdisciplinary Scholarship, Community Engagement, Research Excellence, Competitive Funding Acquisition, Partnership Building, Operational Stewardship, People Management, Curriculum Development, Governance, Social Epidemiology, Public Health Policy

Industry

Education Administration Programs

Description

Role type: Fixed Term for 5 years, Full Time (1.0 FTE) School/Faculty: Melbourne School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences Salary: Level D/E attractive remuneration package negotiated commensurate with experience, plus 17% superannuation Advance understanding of the social and behavioural factors shaping health / Foster inclusive scholarship and community engagement / Build a department centred on equity, wellbeing and social justice Provide senior academic leadership in a complex research-intensive environment, fostering interdisciplinary scholarship across health, society, behaviour and equity Investing in you - benefits package including salary packaging, health and wellbeing programs, discounted services, and professional development opportunities. Leadership opportunity The Melbourne School of Public Health is seeking an outstanding academic leader to serve as the inaugural Head of Department of Health and Society. This newly established Department will become the University's academic home for health-related social and behavioural sciences, aspects of social epidemiology and lived experience scholarship. As Head of Department, you will shape its strategic direction, academic identity and culture while fostering an inclusive and collaborative environment that advances scholarship, education and engagement focused on health equity, lived experience and social justice. As a member of the School Executive, you will contribute to enterprise-wide leadership and decision-making, balancing departmental priorities with broader School, Faculty and University objectives. Working closely with colleagues across the Faculty, partner health services, research institutes, community organisations and government, you will strengthen the Department's profile, influence and long-term impact. Strategic priorities Department leadership and establishment – Build and lead a newly created department, establishing its strategic direction, governance, culture and academic identity Social and behavioural science and equity leadership – Advance internationally recognised research and scholarship that deepens understanding of the social, behavioural and structural determinants of health and wellbeing Education and interdisciplinary capability – Drive innovative teaching programs and foster strong integration between research, teaching and graduate research supervision Community engagement and lived experience partnerships – Strengthen relationships with communities, health services, government and research organisations to ensure research is grounded in lived experience and delivers meaningful impact People, culture and enterprise leadership – Foster an inclusive, accountable and high-performing environment while contributing to School, Faculty and University-wide priorities and decision-making About you A Professor or Associate Professor with an internationally recognised record of achievement in social and behavioural science, health equity, lived experience research or a closely related discipline. You bring substantial leadership experience within complex academic, research, health or community environments, with the ability to shape strategy, influence across systems and lead people through change. You have a distinguished record of research excellence, success in competitive funding and a demonstrated ability to build productive partnerships across academia, government, health services, research institutes and community organisations. You bring a contemporary vision for a Department that integrates research, teaching and engagement across disciplines informed by social and behavioural science approaches to health and wellbeing. Equally, you are recognised for fostering collaborative, inclusive and high-performing cultures that enable people and teams to thrive. As a values-driven academic leader, you bring the capability to balance strategic vision with operational stewardship, supporting both departmental success and broader institutional objectives while developing future academic leaders. You bring a strong commitment to advancing equity, lived experience and community-engaged approaches that centre people, relationships and the social determinants of health. Melbourne School of Public Health The Melbourne School of Public Health is consistently ranked among the world’s leading schools of public health and is recognised internationally for excellence in research, teaching and engagement. The School brings together leading researchers, educators and practitioners working across a broad range of public health disciplines to address complex local and global health challenges. Through strong partnerships with governments, health services, communities and research organisations, the School delivers evidence-based solutions that improve health outcomes and influence policy and practice. The establishment of a department-based structure represents an important evolution in the School’s academic model, strengthening disciplinary leadership while enabling greater collaboration, innovation and impact. Working at the University of Melbourne We offer the opportunity to contribute within a leading global university environment, supported by flexible work arrangements, generous leave provisions, salary packaging and comprehensive health and wellbeing programs that enable sustainable senior academic leadership. For more information check out our benefits page! Be Yourself The University of Melbourne is committed to fostering an inclusive, equitable and accessible workplace where diversity is valued and all individuals are supported to succeed. Applications are welcomed from people of all backgrounds and identities. Discover more about Diversity and Inclusion at UniMelb. We are committed to providing a barrier-free recruitment process and workplace adjustments for candidates and employees. Information on accessible recruitment and workplace adjustments is available via the University of Melbourne careers site: Accessible recruitment and adjustments We actively support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and encourage engagement with the Indigenous Employment and Development team. Application essentials: Applications should include submission of a curriculum vitae, cover letter and responses to the selection criteria outlined in the Candidate Information Pack. This role is eligible for visa sponsorship and we welcome international applicants. If successful, we will support you through this process. A Working with Children Check is required for this position. If successful, we will guide you through the process and reimburse associated costs. Refer to “Apply with Us” for application guidance. Further information Position enquiries: Prof. Sant-Rayn Pasricha, sant-rayn.pasricha@unimelb.edu.au Recruitment process enquiries: Felicita Depaune, Senior Talent Partner at snr-talentacq@unimelb.edu.au Recruitment adjustments: Kim Groizard on +61 3 9035 3218 or at hr-careers@unimelb.edu.au (subject: 'Recruitment Adjustments'). Applications close: Monday 13th July 2026 11:55 PM Melbourne time zone. Candidate Information Pack: JR-014277_Head, Department of Health and Society_PD.pdf Explore leadership opportunities to shape the future and growth of the University of Melbourne - Executive Opportunities Welcome to the University of Melbourne – where our vision for positive societal change creates impact. Join our community of world-class thinkers, where innovation thrives, and your ideas shape the future. Why choose us? You'll work among the best, pushing the boundaries of knowledge with passion. Whether you're driving groundbreaking research, inspiring the next generation through teaching, or providing essential professional services, we empower you to excel. At the University of Melbourne, your potential is our priority. Elevate your career, make a real difference, and be part of a diverse community that values your unique contribution. Your journey to professional and personal growth starts here. Discover more at - https://about.unimelb.edu.au/ At the heart of our mission is a commitment to enriching society through education and research. Through our strategy "Advancing Melbourne," we're not just shaping our own future; we're shaping the future of the state, the nation, and our global community. Together, we propel Australia forward, positioning it as an ambitious, forward-thinking leader on the world stage. Our staff play a key role in elevating Australia's reputation and influence globally. Your contributions are the driving force behind our ambition to be a leading force for positive change. Join us, and let's advance Melbourne – and the world – together. Discover more The University has committed to a strategic vision which aims to create a thriving, fair and diverse university community, working together respectfully to make a difference to each other and in the world. Join us on our journey to build a future where everyone in our community can feel a strong sense of belonging, and diverse perspectives fuel success. Discover more Want to know more about us, our processes, or future opportunities? We would love to connect with you! Get in touch with our friendly Talent Acquisition team at hr-careers@unimelb.edu.au

Responsibilities

Establish and lead the newly created Department of Health and Society, shaping its strategic direction, academic identity, and culture. Provide senior academic leadership to advance research, education, and community engagement focused on health equity and social justice.