Newman College is named after John Henry Newman, one of the greatest writers and theologians of the nineteenth century. Towards the end of his life, he was made a Cardinal. In 2010, he was beatified, and in October 2019, he was Canonized (made a Saint) in Rome.

John Henry Newman wrote an eloquent tribute to the Collegiate ideal and a liberal arts education in his classic, The Idea of a University.

The Dean of Studies role, in its support of the academic affairs of students during their university lives, aims to foster their intellectual, spiritual and ethical development, to enable them to become curious lifelong learners, responsible participants in civic life, committed to justice and the promotion of common good.

The Dean of Studies is a residential role; however the College may consider a non-residential appointment.

About Newman College

Newman College is a Roman Catholic co-educational residential College affiliated with the University of Melbourne. The Society of Jesus, the Jesuits, are responsible for the administration of the College.

The College’s fundamental purpose is to foster the intellectual, ethical and spiritual life of its members, to enable them to become effective leaders in the community, mature in faith and committed to justice. The College seeks to assist its members in achieving the highest standards in their personal lives, in their studies and in the professions they will enter, standards based on Catholic and Jesuit values and showing a genuine compassion and respect for others.

About the opportunity

The Dean of Studies holds a senior leadership position in the structure of the College and the life of the community. Reporting to the Provost, the focus of the role is on the provision of quality academic and career enrichment programmes for the accompaniment of the students during their university studies.

The role requires certain flexibility in attitude and work patterns to accommodate the variety in the cycle of the academic year and the fact that this is a residential community.

Some of the key priorities of this role include;

• Leading, maintaining and enhancing the academic ethos of the College, with an emphasis on balanced education and all-round excellence.
• Responsibility for the overall running of the College’s academic support, which fosters the intellectual life of the community.
• Developing and coordinating the tutorial programme, which involves interviewing, selecting, training, supervising and assessing the tutors, assuring the quality of the content, as well as monitoring student attendance and engagement with tutorials.
• Providing guidance to students in the area of course selection and handling problems encountered in this area (e.g., change of subject, course study plans, deferral, academic adjustment plans and special consideration).
• Collaborating with other members of the SLT to ensure that the general welfare and pastoral care (including discipline) of students is managed effectively.
• Provides input, as a member of the SLT, on strategic issues in the College’s efforts to achieve its mission and affirm its Catholic and Jesuit identity.
• Collaborates in the implementation of a welcoming, safe and respectful culture and environment consistent with the institution’s rules and expectations and College SAFE Policies & Procedures

Key success factors for the role include

• A Masters, or equivalent qualifications in a relevant discipline, higher education or online learning or substantial experience in higher education administration.
• Demonstrated experience in the design, development, and execution of university academic and career enrichment programmes.
• Minimum of 2 years’ experience in the higher education sector, or in a similar senior management role in secondary education.
• Excellent leadership, communication and interpersonal skills that demonstrate adaptability, innovation, and resilience.
• Demonstrated capability to work as a member of the College Senior Leadership Team to achieve strategic outcomes.
• Comprehensive understanding of the tertiary education landscape in Australia and internationally.
• High level of organisational and time management skills with a proven ability to supervise, motivate and mentor staff.
• High capacity to build community through the creation of interpersonal relationships with students.
• Advanced working knowledge of various IT platforms, including, but not limited to, Microsoft Teams, Synergetic and Cognito forms.

How to apply

Click Apply and include a cover letter, resume, and responses to our screening questions. These questions are tailored to help us gain a deeper understanding of your skills and experiences.

Should you have any questions about the role, these can be addressed by Rebecca Daley (Deputy Provost) via email at: [email protected]

Please note: We will be reviewing applications on a rolling basis, if you believe this role might be for you, please apply as soon as possible.

Employment is subject to satisfactory background checks which include a National Police Check, Working with Children Check and Reference Checks. To be successful in this role you must hold valid working rights in Australia.

Newnan College information

If you would like to find out more about us, please go to https://newman.unimelb.edu.au/

Please note: Newman College is committed to the safety, wellbeing and dignity of all children and vulnerable adults. It is a requirement across our organisation that all employees have a valid Police and Working with Children Check.