One of Australia's leading research & teaching universities. Vibrant campus life with a strong sense of community & inclusion. Enjoy a career that makes a difference by collaborating & learning from the best. Flexible working arrangements and support for carers.

At UNSW, we pride ourselves on being a workplace where the best people come to do their best work. This role is located in Sydney, Australia.

The Faculty of Science is a large and one of the most complex faculties of UNSW Sydney. It comprises the Schools of Aviation, Biological Earth & Environmental Science (BEES), Biotechnology & Biomolecular Sciences (BABS), Chemistry, Materials Science & Engineering (MSE), Mathematics & Statistics, Physics and Psychology, along with a number of major Research Centres and field stations.

The School of Aviation offers undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in aviation (management and flying), including flight training and airborne, aviation and transport research. The Flying Operations Unit, located at Bankstown Airport, delivers flight training and supporting theory as required by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority and facilitates airborne research activities.

School Statistics

- Unit budget approximately $11M
- Approximately 11,000 flying hours
- Approximately 60 full-time flying students
- Approximately 2,500 hours of lectures delivered

The Head of School is the key integration and delivery point for UNSW's Progress for All priorities, translating the University's vision into outcomes for the School, through integrated planning, people-centred leadership, effective stewardship of resources, and engagement with staff, students and external partners.



The Head of School reports directly to the Dean of Science. The academic staff of the School report to the Head of School, who is supported by the School leadership team including a School Manager, Deputy Heads of School, Academic Governance Committees, Academic Convenors and Academic Coordinators.

About The Role

- Senior Level Appointment for the term plus 17% Superannuation and annual leave loading
- Includes an underlying continuing Academic position at Level D/E
- Fixed Term – 5 years
- Full-time (35 hours per week)

Key Responsibilities Strategy: Develop a strategic vision for the School aligned to UNSW Science 2035 and Progress for All; contribute to the Faculty's strategic plans through advice on external engagement, research and educational priorities.

Academic Excellence: Drive the School's academic performance including student education experience, attracting high calibre students, enhancing research output, developing new programs, and growing international presence and reputation.

Leadership: Engage staff to build a collegial,



supportive and productive culture; attract and retain high-quality staff; build staff capability through talent management and succession planning; build sustainable industry-supported collaborations; represent Aviation and Science internally and externally.

School Management: Take responsibility for devolved School budgets; ensure the School meets key performance measures relating to education, research, global impact and social engagement; oversee compliance, quality assurance and WHS obligations.

Essential Requirements

- A respected scholar, normally at Associate Professor or Professorial level, in an appropriate discipline, with an understanding of the values and roles of a major university operating internationally
- Energy and resilience to deal with the challenges and opportunities of an ambitious university
- A breadth of academic vision and intellectual enthusiasm across the School's disciplines
- Capacity to articulate and lead a strategic vision and manage change
- Strong, proactive and energetic leadership able to motivate high performance from diverse groups

- Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills, including managing difficult conversations
- Ability to manage budgets effectively according to strategic priorities
- A robust sense of equity, fairness and ethics

How to Apply To apply for the position of Head of School – Aviation, please submit a cover letter, a document that systematically addresses the selection criteria above, and a statement of your leadership philosophy and vision for the School (up to 2 pages). If you have had any interruption in your career, you are encouraged to also include an Achievement Relative to Opportunity (ARO) / Research Opportunity and Performance Evidence (ROPE) statement. Applications close September 7th, 2026.

📌 Head of School - School of Aviation (Sydney)
🏢 Aviation Careers Australia
📍 Sydney