Offer Description

Lead Social Work as Head of Discipline, advancing education, research and community partnerships across Western Sydney.

The Opportunity

You will provide academic and people leadership for , taking the discipline forward while enhancing curriculum quality and maintaining excellence in research. The position combines a continuing academic appointment at Level E with a three-year appointment as Head of Discipline and a 30% leadership workload allocation.

You will guide a discipline distinguished by its social justice and human rights orientation, commitment to decolonising approaches and Indigenous perspectives, and deep engagement with the diverse communities of Greater Western Sydney. You will support undergraduate, postgraduate and PhD education, including programs that attract strong interest from students across Southeast Asia and South Asia.

As an active member of the School Executive, you will help set the direction of the School of Social Sciences and contribute to its mission of impact in, of and with communities. You will strengthen the integration of research, professional practice and community partnerships, including community-led research undertaken through the Centre for Community Research Collaboration.

You will foster interdisciplinary collaboration, strengthen relationships with industry, government, professional bodies and community partners, and pursue competitive research support. You will also mentor academic colleagues, promote educational excellence and build an inclusive discipline culture grounded in diversity, anti-racism and community impact.

What Success Looks Like:

• Provide clear academic and people leadership that strengthens the direction, culture and performance of the Social Work discipline.
• Enhance undergraduate and postgraduate curriculum while assuring contemporary, inclusive and high-quality teaching practices.
• Maintain a strong national and international research profile and lead productive research teams, networks and partnerships.
• Deepen engagement with Greater Western Sydney communities, industry, government and professional bodies.
• Mentor early and mid-career academics and contribute actively to School governance and strategic direction.

About You

• A PhD in a relevant discipline and a recognised professional qualification in social work.
• A distinguished record of leadership in Social Work research, education and postgraduate research supervision.
• Demonstrated people leadership, with the ability to mentor colleagues and foster educational and research excellence in others.
• Proven success in building productive partnerships with communities, industry, government and professional bodies, including attracting significant external funding.
• Highly developed interpersonal and collaboration skills, together with a global mindset and the ability to lead across diverse academic and community settings.

Working Rights: Employer Visa sponsorship will be provided if required.