Job reference: 1677376

- Provide strategic leadership to a multidisciplinary School spanning Public Health and Psychology.
- Shape the School’s future across education, research, partnerships and community impact.
- Join Curtin’s senior academic leadership community and influence strategy across the University.

Curtin University is seeking an outstanding and visionary academic leader to join the Faculty of Health Sciences as Head of School, School of Population Health. This is an opportunity to lead a diverse and highly regarded School whose education and research address some of the most significant challenges facing communities today - from mental health and wellbeing to emerging diseases, climate change, population growth and health inequity. The School of Population Health brings together expertise across Public Health and Psychology to improve health, wellbeing and quality of life locally, nationally and globally. It delivers a broad range of undergraduate and specialist postgraduate programs, alongside short courses that enable health professionals to build new and specialised capabilities. Through its education, research and partnerships, the School prepares graduates to respond to complex and evolving health challenges and make a meaningful difference within their professions and communities.

The Opportunity

Reporting to the Pro Vice-Chancellor, the Head of School will provide strategic, academic and operational leadership across the School. Working closely with academic and professional colleagues, the Head of School will build on the School’s existing strengths while creating a clear and ambitious vision for its future.

We are seeking a highly relational leader who can champion the School’s distinctive identity, disciplines and ambitions while contributing to a connected One Faculty approach. They will look beyond organisational boundaries, bring people together around shared priorities and create opportunities for collaboration across the Faculty and wider University.

A key priority will be to further embed equity and diversity across the School’s culture, education, research and decision-making. The Head of School will also advance the School’s contribution to Curtin’s Indigenous strategy, working respectfully with Indigenous colleagues, students, communities and partners to support meaningful and sustained progress.

As a senior leader within the Faculty and University, the Head of School will contribute to broader strategy, governance and decision-making - balancing strong advocacy for the School with a genuine commitment to collective success.

In this role, you will:

- Lead and support a multidisciplinary community of academic and professional staff.
- Shape and deliver the School’s strategic direction and priorities.
- Advance excellence, innovation and impact across education and research.
- Strengthen the School’s national and international profile.
- Build meaningful partnerships with industry, government, academia,



the professions and wider community.
- Develop staff capability and foster an inclusive, collaborative and high-performing culture.
- Embed equity and diversity throughout the School and strengthen its contribution to Curtin’s Indigenous strategy.
- Lead financial, workforce and resource planning to support sustainable performance.
- Guide the School through change and emerging opportunities with clarity, confidence and care.
- Contribute to shared priorities, leadership and governance across the Faculty and University.

About you You will be an accomplished academic and people leader with an internationally recognised reputation in a discipline relevant to the School. You will bring strong academic judgement, a clear sense of purpose and the ability to translate strategy into meaningful outcomes within a large and complex organisation. Highly relational and collaborative, you will understand that the success of the School and the Faculty are closely connected. You will be able to advocate confidently for the School while remaining open to different perspectives, shared opportunities and decisions that support the Faculty as a whole.

You will also bring a genuine commitment to equity and diversity, alongside an understanding of the responsibility senior leaders hold in advancing Indigenous engagement, participation and success through respectful relationships, shared accountability and action.

We are looking for

- A doctoral qualification and an internationally recognised record of academic achievement.
- A distinguished academic profile with expertise aligned to the disciplines of the School.
- Significant academic leadership and governance experience within a complex organisation.
- Demonstrated success in developing and delivering strategic and operational priorities.
- A thoughtful, inclusive and empowering approach to people leadership.
- A highly relational leadership style and the ability to build trust, create connections and influence a diverse range of stakeholders.
- Sound financial, workforce and resource management capability.
- Experience leading organisational change and building a culture of excellence, collaboration and continuous improvement.
- Strong industry and community engagement, with the ability to develop partnerships that enhance education, research and impact.
- A demonstrated commitment to embedding equity and diversity and creating an workplace in which people from different backgrounds, identities and experiences can belong and thrive.
- Current appointment at Associate Professor or Professor level.

Leadership at Curtin At Curtin,



leadership is grounded in our values of integrity, respect, courage, excellence and impact. The Head of School will be a visible, values-led leader who listens, communicates openly and creates the conditions for others to succeed. They will bring strategic ambition together with a highly relational leadership style - building trust, developing capability and working collaboratively across the School, Faculty and University to deliver meaningful outcomes for students, staff, partners and communities.

Role Requirements

Applicants must hold valid Australian work rights that align with the tenure of the appointment to be considered. Successful applicants are subject to a National Police Clearance, and background, integrity, and reference checks to Curtin’s satisfaction.

About Curtin University

Curtin University proudly stands among the top one percent of global universities according to the ARWU 2025 rankings. We are an energetic, dedicated team of academics and professionals working together to provide global solutions through quality graduates and innovative research. Curtin is a welcoming space where integrity, respect for one another, courage, excellence, and impact are essential to everyday life.

Our aim is to create a workforce that reflects the diversity of the community in which we live.

What We Offer You

This full-time position attracts a remuneration package of $229,829 (ALE) + 10% Head of School Allowance + 17% superannuation.

Situated on Whadjuk Nyungar Country, our vibrant Bentley campus includes an art gallery, gym, childcare and medical centre, bus station, accessible parking and endless food options including a supermarket. Aside from the vibrant campus life, Curtin offers a wide range of generous perks, including additional leave, salary packaging, health and wellbeing services and an array of discounts for retail, travel and much more. For more reasons to work at Curtin, please visit https://staff.curtin.edu.au/discover-curtin/

Join Us!

If this sounds like your next role, please click APPLY NOW ensuring to attach the following documents:

- Up to date Resume
- Cover Letter outlining your interest and demonstrating how your experience aligns with the leadership capabilities, role responsibilities and selection criteria.

If you have any queries in relation to this opportunity or the application process, please contact our careers team on [email protected] or 08 9266 9000 (option 3,1), quoting the reference number. Please note, late applications or applications received via email will not be considered, and only successful candidates will be contacted. Applications close: 9pm (AWST), Friday 30 October 2026 Curtin reserves the right at its sole discretion to withdraw from the recruitment process, not to make an appointment, or to appoint by invitation, at any time. We reserve the right to remove the advert earlier than the date on the advert.

📌 Head of School, Population Health (Perth)
🏢 Curtin University
📍 Perth