Deputy Dean, Faculty of Design and Creative Technologies

• Bring authentic partnership-driven leadership to our outstanding Faculty
• Champion, lead and drive improvements as a key member of the Dean’s Executive team
• 3-year renewable role with substantive permanent senior academic appointment
• Based at AUT’s City Campus in Auckland

As one of the world’s top 50 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 central to our purpose and actions, and we offer a stimulating teaching and research environment with strong connections to government, business, and industry. AUT has more than 27,000 students and over 4,000 staff based primarily at our three Auckland teaching campuses.

For our Faculty of Design and Creative Technologies Faculty (DCT), disruption is our purpose and our passion. We imagine the unimaginable and envision our future environments. We are dynamic, innovative and recognise that design as a discipline is central to advancing transdisciplinary learning and research at university level. DCT is an outward looking and inspiring hub of significant size and scale, with 450 FTE staff serving as the locus of activity for five very distinct discipline areas: architecture and built environment, art and design, creative technologies, communication and media studies, and engineering, computer and mathematical sciences. Student projections are positive for 2024, programmes have gone through significant reform and our research is on an upward trajectory. We are experiencing growth in external engagement and the outlook is exciting, it’s an exceptionally good time to consider joining us!

Become the new Deputy Dean, Faculty of Design and Creative Technologies

We have a fantastic opportunity for an experienced ‘all-round’ senior academic leader to become Deputy Dean and a critical member of our dynamic, diverse, established and high-performing faculty leadership team. This role will support and contribute across many areas including external engagement, research, learning and teaching, external accreditation processes and the academic leadership development of our people leaders.

You’ll have a curious mind and flexibility of thought extending past disciplines of your own, as you take time to understand the faculty culture and how things work. You’ll enjoy learning about the complexities of our faculty due to the breadth of disciplines we have and actively seek to empathise, understand and see our leaders perspectives and points of view. You’ll have a keen attention to detail and advocate for the Faculty and the Dean, and work collaboratively across the schools, helping to drive change, streamline processes and create efficiencies to make things happen. This is a role supporting, leading and guiding continuous improvements across our faculty – not about making significant change. DCT is high-performing, and the new Deputy Dean will help take it to the next level.

Key focus areas include:

• Deputising for and representing the Dean when required (the opportunities for which will be numerous, as the Dean also undertakes significant international travel as part of his additional role as AUT’s Pro Vice-Chancellor International). This will include work around promotions, appointment panels and managing complex student-related situations and staff matters.
• Ensuring a clear, consistent message and narrative is communicated from the Office of the Dean.
• Partner with the Dean and other senior faculty leaders to support the development, drive and implementation of key strategic projects and initiatives across strategy, planning, leadership and management. A particular focus directly supporting the Dean on day-to-day operations and long-term transformation projects and initiatives.
• Provide governance expertise (such as chair the faculty board, lead/participate in Faculty Executive and numerous working groups and support our Associate Deans in areas such as the periodic review of academic programmes and research agendas).
• Support the advancement of a faculty culture focused on excellence in teaching, research, service and other academic contributions whilst ensuring staff feel safe and productive in their work. Further enhance the sense of community and collaboration amongst staff post-COVID.
• Drive greater cross-disciplinary collaboration across the Faculty and University to encourage new thinking and enhance student and staff experiences.

You will be recognised as a culturally capable leader who values diversity, works inclusively and allows and champions creativity, flexibility and innovation whilst being humble and principled. You will be able to help lead the Faculty on the next steps of its Te Tiriti journey. You will display attributes of inclusiveness, empathy, trustworthiness, confidence and kindness. Your ability to listen, connect, collaborate, communicate and influence will be critical – as is your level of strong respect for others coupled with an open and engaging attitude that is flexible to changing requirements. A resolute, robust and positive attitude is essential.

Applications and Selection Criteria

We welcome applications from senior academics of high standing with extensive senior leadership and staff management experience. Along with your full CV, 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 your experience aligns with the key selection criteria we’re seeking below:

1. A record of distinguished academic achievement and research appropriate for appointment as a professor or associate professor. A PhD is mandatory.
2. Extensive subject matter experience broadly related to one (or more) of the disciplines in our DCT Faculty. Please highlight relevant interdisciplinary contributions.
3. Extensive senior academic leadership and staff development and demonstrated staff management experience dealing with complex people-related situations. Please highlight successes ensuring a positive work culture for staff.
4. Expertise across external accreditation processes.
5. Capability to support the Faculty’s authentic and robust Te Tiriti journey.
6. Capability to advance Māori and Pacific students, staff and community outcomes. A champion for equity.
7. Significant experience leading key strategic change demonstrating an excellent understanding of cultural, operational and environmental change management.
8. Outstanding resilience, interpersonal, negotiation and diplomacy skills, combined with a coaching and consultative approach to leadership. You must possess exceptional communication skills.
9. A brief summary of your interest and experience embracing innovation and experimentation in previous leadership roles.
10. Significant experience managing facilities, financial performance and strategic planning resources.
11. Applicants are welcome to add further comments they may feel of relevance.

Further Information:

• Start Date: The successful candidate would ideally be able to join AUT by 1 February 2024 (or earlier by agreement).
• Term: The successful candidate will secure a 3-year term to the role of Deputy Dean (with potential for further extension) and a permanent appointment as a senior academic. A competitive remuneration package will be agreed with the successful applicant, commensurate with skills and experience.
• Referees: Applicants should also provide names, contact details and clarification of relationship for at least three potential referees. Referees will not be contacted without the prior consent of the applicant.
• Enquiries: Please contact Mike Wood – AUT Executive Recruitment Partner – [email protected]  

Advertising closes: Sunday 17 September at 11.55pm (NZST). We expect interviews to take place during late-September/early October 2023.
Reference: 86734

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