• Join New Zealand's university of opportunity
• Champion, lead and drive AUT's Pacific Advancement
• Play a critical role within the Vice-Chancellor's leadership team
• Full-time, 5-year renewable role based at either AUT's City or South Campus

Auckland University of Technology (AUT) is dynamic and vibrant with a hugely diverse body of students, staff and partners. As one of the world's top 50 young universities, New Zealand's newest and second highest ranked, AUT is the university of opportunity where all students with talent and potential have the chance to succeed. We have a clear vision expressed through the cornerstone Ki Uta Ki Tai Student Success Plan which will ensure a shared, cohesive approach for the University to achieve its commitments and ambitions for student success, inclusion and belonging.  We are a socially driven university with equity and excellence central to our purpose and actions, and we offer a stimulating teaching and research environment with strong connections to government, business and industry.  AUT has over 29,000 students and around 4,000 staff across our three Auckland teaching campuses.

AUT has the largest proportion of Pacific students (17%) out of all New Zealand universities and we are wholeheartedly dedicated to advancing Pacific peoples. Our fantastic South Campus in Manukau is a significant and tangible expression of this commitment. Our Pacific students are supported from entry through to research degrees. Among many other initiatives, our sector-leading  UniPrep programme for example, transitions students into AUT, working with high schools in South and West Auckland to empower and support their transition to university. More than 75% of participants are Pacific people. UniPrep acts as a gateway to study options across all AUT's faculties and campuses and includes a mix of academic workshops, team-building activities and university life experiences.

Visit Pacific at AUT for more information: https://www.aut.ac.nz/about/pacific

Become our new Pro Vice-Chancellor Pacific or Assistant Vice-Chancellor Pacific

We have an exceptional opportunity to become AUT's senior Pacific leader, either as Pro Vice-Chancellor Pacific (if the candidate is on the academic pathway) or Assistant Vice-Chancellor Pacific (if the candidate is on the professional pathway). This role is a truly unique opportunity within New Zealand organisations, with scope to make significant impact and contribution, underpinned by AUT's genuine and deep commitment to Pacific peoples.

As a member of AUT's executive, you will work closely with our Vice-Chancellor, Professor Damon Salesa and a dynamic senior leadership team. This is a fast moving, forward looking and evolving role collaborating and partnering with key stakeholders across our faculties and directorates. You will be tasked with ensuring Pacific students' access to AUT and their subsequent success. To achieve this, the Pro (or Assistant) Vice-Chancellor Pacific will lead our  Office of Pacific Advancement (OPA), a highly capable and committed team within AUT which maintains and facilitates initiatives of importance to Pacific communities in New Zealand and the Pacific Islands through education, research, professional training, academic opportunities and partnerships.

In this exciting role you will both strategise and operationalise initiatives and ideas. Key focus areas include:

• Lead and implement the Pacific dimensions of AUT's strategy.
• Drive and support continuous improvement for the University regarding Pacific participation, academic and research outcomes.
• Lead AUT's engagement with local, regional and national Pacific communities and organisations, with a particular focus on Pacific student and staff recruitment, retention and success.
• Support the development and success of AUT's Pacific staff.
• Lead AUT's commitment to student success for our Pacific students and enhancing their experiences across AUT.
• Champion and advocate for impactful, quality Pacific research.
• Support the development of Pacific cultural capability at AUT.

This role currently has up to 6 direct reports.

For further details, please review the position description available for the role.

Applications and Key Selection Criteria

The successful candidate embodies and delivers AUT's values, mission and strategy-led leadership approach. An authentic, collegial and positive leadership style is essential. You will be recognised as a highly collaborative and influencing future-focused leader passionate about Pacific advancement who listens; whilst enabling innovation and encouraging proactivity to embrace AUT's energy and ideas and make things happen. Visionary and aspirational, you will embody trustworthiness, confidence and kindness. You will value diversity and work inclusively.

We welcome applications from ambitious leaders, from both within and outside the university sector. We request applicants submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae and a statement addressing the following key selection criteria:

1. Senior leadership experience in the area of Pacific advancement (or a related area) within a large, complex organisation (knowledge of and/or experience in tertiary education sector or a relevant sector would be beneficial).
2. Demonstrable track record in the development, implementation and importantly - delivery - of Pacific-related strategy, policy and operations.
3. Ability to deliver key outcomes in the Pacific portfolio, including UniPrep and advancing and enhancing Pacific student success.
4. Extensive experience establishing and maintaining effective relationships with external bodies and the wider Pacific communities.
5. A high level of Pacific cultural capability, competency and knowledge (Pacific language capability would be an advantage).
6. Authentic, collaborative, inclusive, consultative people leadership experience combined with outstanding resilience, interpersonal, and relational skills.
7. Significant experience leading key strategic changes demonstrating an excellent understanding of operational, cultural and environmental change management.
8. Experience in successfully communicating with a wide variety of diverse internal and external audiences.

Further Information:

• Start Date - Early 2023 (to be agreed with the successful candidate).
• 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.
• Referees - Applicants should also provide names, contact details and clarification of relationship for at least two potential referees. Referees will not be contacted without the prior consent of the applicant.
• Enquiries - Please contact Mike Wood, AUT Executive Recruitment Partner - mike.wood@aut.ac.nz.

Closing date for applications: Thursday, 8 December at 11:55 pm (New Zealand Standard Time).

Interviews: We expect interviews to ideally take place during the week commencing 11 December 2022.

Reference: 82978

At AUT we strive to be a place where people love to work and learn. We are committed to inclusivity and the Treaty of Waitangi and aspire to be the University of choice for Māori and Pacific communities. We welcome people of all ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, religious and political beliefs, socio-economic situations and accessibility needs.

Please note that all applications must be submitted through the online application process. For further information, please send us an enquiry here or call 921 9499. Please note we are happy to answer your questions but we do not accept applications by email. You will need to apply through the standard registration process.