Academic Director | Executive Leadership | Higher Education Growth

Southern Cross Education Institute – Higher Education (SCEI-HE)

SCEI-HE is entering a significant growth and strategic expansion phase across Australia and internationally. We are seeking an accomplished, visionary Academic Director to provide executive-level leadership of academic excellence, governance, quality and institutional positioning.

This is not a maintenance role. It is a rare opportunity to shape the academic future of a nationally recognised higher education provider with ambitious plans in Education, Early Childhood Education, Primary and Secondary Teaching, Social Work, and Human & Community Service with further program disciplines in development.

Reporting directly to the CEO, you will lead academic strategy and operations across our existing and future campuses, with particular focus on strengthening and expanding our core suite of courses.

The Opportunity

As Academic Director, you will:

- Lead institution-wide academic strategy aligned with SCEI-HE’s growth agenda and national/international expansion
- Direct and develop a team of academic operations staff while building high-performing teaching and scholarly teams across the Education, Early Childhood, Teaching, Social Work and Community Services disciplines
- Provide executive academic advice to the CEO and Academic Board and drive robust academic governance
- Strengthen regulatory performance, accreditation outcomes and institutional readiness under TEQSA, HESF, AQF and professional standards
- Drive curriculum innovation, academic quality and continuous improvement specifically for the courses listed above
- Elevate student progression, retention, success and graduate employability outcomes
- Position SCEI-HE as a respected provider in the Australian higher education landscape, particularly in teacher education, early childhood and the human services professions

You will work with the Director of Quality Assurance & Compliance to ensure readiness across TEQSA,



HESF and professional accreditation frameworks (including VIT, AASW, ACECQA, CWA and related bodies), while maintaining a clear strategic focus on expansion, reputation and academic legacy.

Strategic Focus Areas

Academic Governance & Leadership

- Oversight of academic boards, committees and decision-making
- Executive-level academic advice and contribution to institutional strategy
- Organisational capability building, succession planning and leadership development within the Education and Human Services portfolios

Accreditation & Regulatory Performance

- Leadership of course accreditation, reaccreditation and professional body submissions for the Education, Early Childhood, Teaching, Social Work and Community Services awards
- Academic input into TEQSA registration and compliance activities
- Strong relationship management with professional bodies (VIT, AASW, ACECQA, CWA and others)

Curriculum, Quality & Student Outcomes

- Curriculum design, review and innovation aligned to AQF, HESF and professional standards for the listed courses
- Assessment integrity, moderation, benchmarking and continuous improvement driven by student outcomes data
- Focus on graduate readiness for teaching, early childhood and human services practice

Scholarship & Academic Culture

- Implementation and embedding of the Scholarship Framework
- Promotion of scholarly activity, evidence-informed practice and research-informed teaching across the Education and Social Work disciplines
- Alignment with TEQSA expectations for scholarship in higher education





About You You are academic leader with substantial experience in Australian higher education and a demonstrated track record in academic governance, accreditation, regulatory compliance and team leadership.

Essential

- A PhD in a relevant discipline (Education, Early Childhood, Social Work, Human Services or closely related field preferred)
- Deep knowledge of TEQSA, HESF, AQF and ESOS frameworks
- Proven experience leading accreditation and reaccreditation processes, ideally including qualified body accreditations (VIT, AASW, ACECQA, CWA or equivalent)
- Executive-level stakeholder engagement and the ability to influence at Academic Board and CEO level
- Financial and resource management acumen

- Demonstrated success leading academic change, growing teams and building organisational capability

Highly regarded

- Current professional registration or recognised accreditation status (e.g. VIT registration, AASW membership, ACECQA-approved status)
- Direct leadership experience in one or more of the core discipline areas: Early Childhood Education, Primary/Secondary Teacher Education, Social Work or Human & Community Services

- Experience supporting multi-campus or multi-site academic delivery and growth

Why Join SCEI-HE?

- Competitive executive remuneration package
- Direct reporting line to the CEO and regular engagement with highly qualified Academic and Corporate Board members

- Genuine influence over institutional academic identity, strategy and long-term growth
- Opportunity to leave a lasting legacy in teacher education, early childhood and the human services professions
- Supportive and collaborative executive environment with an established national graduate network

This is an opportunity for a strategic academic leader who wants to build capability, raise standards and shape the next chapter of a growing higher education provider. Apply now to lead academic excellence at SCEI-HE and make a measurable impact on the future of Education, Early Childhood, Teaching and Human Services education in Australia.

📌 Academic Director (North Melbourne)
🏢 Southern Cross Education Institute Higher Education
📍 North Melbourne