Seeking authentic, visionary academic and people leadership
Foster a distinct school identity and drive transformational goals
Champion diversity, inclusion, and equity in quality of experiences for students and staff
5-year fixed-term appointment, based at AUT's North Shore Akoranga Campus

As one of the world's top 100 young universities and New Zealand's newest, Auckland University of Technology (AUT) is a university of opportunity where all students with talent and potential have the chance to succeed. We are a socially driven university, with equity and excellence at the heart of our purpose and actions. We offer a stimulating teaching and research environment, characterised by strong connections to government, business, and industry. AUT has more than 26,000 students and over 4,000 staff, primarily based at our three Auckland campuses.

AUT's School of Nursing

The School of Nursing (part of our Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences - Te Ara Hauora ā Pūtaiao) stands out as New Zealand's leading nursing educator and is ranked among the world's 100 (Shanghai Ranking). We have a wonderful community of deeply committed academic scholars, clinical educators and professional colleagues focused on improving health outcomes both within New Zealand and internationally. Guided by Te Aronui (AUT's Te Tiriti framework), our school ensures graduates are not only clinically proficient but also culturally aware. Courses are designed to meet the shifting needs of healthcare and drive progress in patient care through ongoing world-class research. Alongside close industry ties, our strong links to Health New Zealand, hospitals and private practices ensure that our students gain extensive clinical experience. We have recently become a standalone school, energy is high and it is a hugely exciting time to consider joining us!

Please review the extensive candidate information handbook available for this role (includes details on the school, faculty, AUT, position description and more).

The Opportunity | Te Whiwhinga mahi

A key member of the Dean's Head of School Leadership Team, the Head of School contributes significantly to the future direction of our faculty. As an externally engaged and highly visible leader, the role provides exemplary academic, administrative, and people management to more than 60 staff, while promoting and driving research excellence and nurturing a collaborative and innovative school environment.

We are particularly interested in nurses with substantial staff management experience, and academic records enabling appointment as a professor or associate professor.

Key focus areas of this role include:

Contribute to the collaborative leadership of the Faculty through:
Faculty-wide strategic and financial planning
Undertaking cross-school initiatives
Championing equity and Te Tiriti o Waitangi commitments
Ensuring the effective delivery of faculty-wide goals
Lead and manage the School of Nursing, ensuring operational excellence and a cohesive, collaborative environment celebrating the achievement of school status.
Oversee academic and capital planning for clinical placements, including piloting and refining new placement software as early adopters.
Proactively cultivate strong partnerships with external stakeholders, particularly the regulatory bodies, Te Whatu Ora (Health NZ) and government agencies, to amplify the school's national and international presence and influence.
Expand opportunities and strengthen community impact - ensuring the school's work is visible and valued at regional, national, and international levels.
Drive the growth of international and postgraduate student enrolments, while ensuring high-quality clinical placements.
Navigate complexities associated with increasing clinical placements for postgraduate students.
Support the development of new simulation facilities for nursing education.
Support the vibrant school research environment, driving research growth and innovation. Foster interdisciplinary research teams, leveraging the diversity and strengths of various health professions.

About you | Ko wai koe

You will be recognised as a positive, encouraging and culturally capable leader who champions inclusivity and diversity, and is committed to creativity and innovation. Your ability to listen, connect, collaborate, communicate, and influence will be critical, as will be a strong respect for others. A resolute, robust and positive attitude is essential.

We welcome applications innovative, inspiring senior academic leaders with staff management experience. The key selection criteria being sought:

A record of academic achievement suitable for appointment ideally as a professor or associate professor. Please highlight relevant cross-disciplinary contributions.
A registered nurse (or eligible for registration as a nurse and able to meet the specified registration requirements).
Understanding of and engagement with the New Zealand health system, Māori health models and Aotearoa's unique cultural context of nursing, is highly desirable.
Proven academic leadership and staff and change management experience.
Significant track record leading research initiatives and securing grant funding.
Significant successful external engagement experience with government, community and industry partnerships.
A champion for equity. Capability to lead and support the school on its Te Tiriti journey.
Applicants are welcome to add further comments they may feel are relevant.

How to apply | Me pēhea te tuku tono

Along with your full academic CV (including a complete list of publications and grant acquisitions) - please ensure to submit a) a cover letter which explains why this particular role (and AUT) is of interest, and b) a statement addressing how you feel you meet some, or all, of the key selection criteria listed above.

Further Information:

Start Date: The successful candidate would ideally join AUT in late-2025/early-2026 (to be agreed).
Term: The successful candidate will secure a 5-year fixed-term to the role of Head of School (with potential for further extension). Please note, this position does not include an additional substantive permanent academic appointment.
Salary: Aligned with the appropriate step in AUT's academic pay scales (Professor range: NZD $162,608 - $209,052; Associate Professor NZD $148,548 - $171,983). An additional annual allowance is also paid for Head of School responsibilities.
Enquiries: Please contact Mike Wood, AUT Executive Recruitment Partner - mike.wood@aut.ac.nz.

Advertising closes:  Sunday 28 September at 11.55pm

Reference: 93234

At AUT we strive to be a place where people love to work and learn. We are committed to te Tiriti, excellence and inclusivity 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.

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