• Based at our GIFT City Campus, India
• Full-time and continuing
• A competitive salary package on offer

Who are we?

Deakin is a cutting-edge public university in Victoria, revolutionising education with 61,000 students across seven campuses: Melbourne Burwood, Geelong Waurn Ponds, Geelong Waterfront, Warrnambool, Deakin University Lancaster University Indonesia (DLI), GIFT City, India and our dynamic online Campus. We're proud to be a progressive and open-minded university, delivering the highest student satisfaction in Victoria and consistently ranked in the top 1% of the world's universities.

About GIFT City

Deakin’s GIFT City Campus operates within Gujarat International Finance Tec-City’s (GIFT City) special economic zone (SEZ) which is being developed as a global financial services hub designed to generate positive economic growth. The city is India’s first greenfield smart city which aligns with Deakin’s values to operate a sustainable campus that is functional, scalable and eco-friendly.

Concentrating on the needs of the digital economy, Deakin’s world-class course offerings on campus initially include Master of Cyber Security (Professional) and Master of Business Analytics. Both full-time courses are two years in duration (18 months fast-tracked) and through internships students will be provided with real-life, practical experience to focus on enhancing their knowledge and skills and preparing future-ready graduates that can support the workforce demands of GIFT City.

About the role

Deakin University is the first in the world to establish an international teaching campus in GIFT City, India, offering postgraduate programs designed to meet local employment needs. The Director will foster strong relationships with industry partners in India to create valuable opportunities for students and strengthen Deakin’s reputation in the region. The Director will mentor the academic staff, driving excellence in course delivery and enhancing the overall student experience.

The Director will primarily focus on external engagement, building and nurturing strategic industry partnerships and promoting the Deakin brand to enhance student employability and opportunities for collaboration. At the same time, the role requires a strong internal focus on ensuring the quality and accreditation of academic programs, as well as providing support for the academic staff to build their profile externally. By balancing these responsibilities, the Director will play a key role in advancing Deakin’s global leadership in graduate employability and ensuring the continued success of the GIFT City campus.

As Director, Engagement and Academic Programs, you will:

• Leverage industry partnerships to develop and deliver collaborative learning and research opportunities, including internships, work-integrated learning (WIL), capstone projects, guest lectures, case studies and research projects.
• Actively promote Deakin University’s reputation and offerings, assisting in marketing strategies to attract students and developing strategic partnerships that enhance the Deakin brand.
• Enhance the student and teaching staff experience through academic leadership, manage masterclasses, thought transfer, industry guest lectures and fostering a culture of collaboration and educational excellence.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with industry partners to create valuable opportunities for students and faculty, driving innovation and real-world impact.
• Lead initiatives that promote a collaborative learning environment, involving students, faculty and industry stakeholders to create a dynamic educational experience.

What you’ll bring:

• A PhD in IT, Business, Marketing or a related discipline, with a proven record of academic leadership and teaching excellence.
• Demonstrated excellence in scholarly learning and teaching at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, including a track record of innovative curriculum design and the supervision of doctoral research students.
• Proven success in leading and managing academic programs, research initiatives, and administrative functions with a focus on achieving institutional goals.
• A demonstrated ability to successfully engage with research, industry, community and government stakeholders to enhance the institution's national and international standing and foster collaborative opportunities.
• Well-established network within the education sector in India, with a deep understanding of the local academic landscape and industry trends.
• Comprehensive knowledge of the global higher education market, with an emphasis on international partnerships, recruitment strategies, and academic collaborations.
• A strong customer-focused approach, with the ability to engage, communicate effectively, and build positive relationships with a culturally diverse range of students, staff and stakeholders.
• Proven experience in leading teams in the planning, development and successful implementation of new academic programs, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives and quality standards.

Here's how to apply: 

Please submit your updated resume, a short cover letter and responses to the Key Selection Criteria.

For a confidential discussion regarding this role, please contact Stephanie Leeson - Senior Consultant, Change & Improvement via stephanie.leeson@deakin.edu.au

For a copy of the position description, please see below:

 PD - Director, Engagement and Academic Programs (GIFT City).pdf

Applications for this position close on Sunday, 19 January 2025.

Are You Ready?

Deakin is a Victorian university with a global impact. We are an agile, dynamic, and innovative university committed to making a positive impact through our excellence in education, research and innovation and the contributions we make to the wider community.

We understand that our reputation has been built on the dedication and expertise of our staff and we offer a dynamic and diverse working environment with opportunities to grow and develop careers. We believe that a progressive, thriving culture will ensure that people choose to come, and stay at Deakin and contribute to our ongoing success.

We value diversity and aim to build an inclusive environment that champions, embraces and respects differences. We support and encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and people of all abilities, cultures, sexual orientation, and genders.