Teaching Academic Dean

About Us

Sydney Polytechnic Institute (SPI) is a TEQSA registered and approved private tertiary education institution opening for teaching in June 2023 in Sydney’s CBD. We are looking to recruit academic staff who align with our mission and values and who will grow and develop with us over time.

Our vision is to become a highly respected technology-focused higher education institution leveraging strong, collaborative business relationships with local and global industry. Our Academic Board and Governing Council comprise academic staff with a broad range of experience in Engineering, Data Science, ICT and Business from both Go8 and non-Go8 universities.

We aim to develop graduates who will be sought after by industry and who have developed the attributes to make outstanding contributions to society and business. We seek to attract outstanding students from diverse backgrounds and expose them to a stimulating and innovative learning environment.

Our values are embedded in Excellence, Reliability, Innovation, and Social Accountability.

Sydney Polytechnic Institute is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion. 

The role

• Fixed term (2-year fixed term and renewable). Part time (2-3 days per week initially) with the potential to increase to full time. Annual pro-rated salary to be discussed based on level of appointment plus 12% superannuation. Salary adjustments may be made as academic leadership responsibilities increase.

This newly created role is designed for an experienced academic and lecturer who wishes to develop their academic leadership skills and advance over time into an academic leadership position. 

For an initial period, the role will combine teaching and teaching-related responsibilities with academic leadership responsibilities. The proportion of time spent on teaching will decrease as student numbers increase with the aim that a successful incumbent will reach a full-time Academic Dean role. You will be expected to assume a leadership position on SPI academic and educational matters and manage the SPI educational staff, programs, and related governance.

In relation to teaching, as a lecturer in our data science program, you will be expected to use your sound knowledge and understanding of data science, gained through industry experience and/or scholarly activities to teach subjects to students face-to-face on campus. You will actively contribute to the leadership of teaching and learning to deliver high-quality outcomes.

You will work closely with SPI staff including the CEO, the Director of Operations, Course and Unit Coordinators to plan and deliver teaching and all operational activities related to teaching. 

Key Responsibilities

• Take leadership in overall academic and educational matters.
• Manage SPI educational programs (Master of Data Science; Graduate Diploma in Data Science; Graduate Certificate in Data Science).
• Undertake face-to-face teaching in one or two data science units. Manage SPI academic staff and teaching related committees and this includes the allocation of workloads and resources to staff.
• Ensure that all academic staff have approved professional development plans that include suitable scholarship and research aspects.
• Oversee all policies related to SPI academic and educational matters and their implementation.
• Ensure an excellent student experience.
• Create budget proposals for the allocation of resources for education and academic-related purposes.
• Conduct external benchmarking projects in collaboration with academic staff, including course coordinators.

A successful candidate will have:

• A PhD in any Data Science/Information Technology discipline, with preference in the field of higher education, and/or education-related research. Demonstrated extensive experience in the higher education sector and academia. Demonstrated excellence in teaching in higher education environments including the ability to research, write and deliver data science subjects. Some demonstrated experience in academic leadership roles and an ability to grow and develop in these roles.

Interested individuals who can demonstrate their capabilities against the above requirements should submit a copy of their CV and a one-page summary outlining their experience and interest in joining us by emailing info@spi.nsw.edu.au by Friday, 9 June 2023. Please note that only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.