Academic Director

Company Description

Navitas is a leading global education provider that has helped generations of learners transform their lives through education. Working in our University Partnerships Australasia division you’ll be part of a team supporting Navitas’ portfolio of colleges, campuses, and offices. Employing 5,000 staff, we create life-changing opportunities for students to learn by delivering an extensive range of educational services to over 60,000 aspirational students across our global network each year.

Working in Western Sydney University Sydney City Campus and Sydney Institute of Business and Technology means you’ll become part of a dedicated community that extends beyond the classroom, encompassing a wide range of professions.

Our global footprint offers you the chance to connect with people from around the world.

Job Description

The Academic Director is a senior leadership role reporting to the General Manager of Western Sydney University Sydney City Campus (WSUSCC) and the Sydney Institute of Business and Technology (SIBT). The role leads and assures the quality of learning and teaching across Western Sydney University undergraduate and postgraduate programs and SIBT Foundation and Diploma programs. Working collaboratively with Western Sydney University, Navitas and campus stakeholders, the Academic Director oversees academic quality, governance and compliance. As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, the role contributes to strategic, operational and commercial objectives while building strong relationships with partner institutions, regulators, industry and governance stakeholders.

The Academic Director is responsible for:

• Leading academic quality assurance, governance, and continuous improvement initiatives to enhance teaching and learning outcomes.
• Driving excellence in teaching practice and delivery to maximise student engagement, success, and retention.
• Providing strategic leadership for academic workforce planning, including recruitment, performance management, and professional development.
• Overseeing academic staffing, workload allocation, and resource management to ensure compliance and operational effectiveness.
• Managing teaching budgets and resources to deliver high-quality educational outcomes within financial targets.
• Leading the development, accreditation, and implementation of new programs, expanding the portfolio in high-demand disciplines.
• Ensuring compliance with university requirements, professional accreditation standards, and regulatory obligations, including TEQSA.
• Fostering strong partnerships with university stakeholders and contributing to academic governance, reporting, and work-integrated learning initiatives.

Qualifications

• PhD qualified in a discipline relevant to one of the programs offered at WSUSCC/SIBT together with extensive experience in the administration and management of an academic unit.
• Demonstrated excellence in academic leadership and management within a higher education environment, including an ability to build strong, sustainable teams, manage resources within a budget and coordinate a broad range of academic functions.
• Substantial experience in teaching and learning, including scholarly and practical approaches to the management and evaluation of learning and teaching effectiveness
• Demonstrated experience in building a culture that supports scholarly, innovative and flexible approaches to teaching and facilitation of learning
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills and the ability to inspire students and staff
• Proven success in working collaboratively and an ability to build highly productive relationships across a range of internal and external partners
• Demonstrated experience in managing and leading staff in addressing teaching and learning issues experienced by staff

Additional Information

• We offer careers across our global operations.
• We recognise and reward.
• We understand the importance of showing appreciation.
• We care for you. We offer a range of employee benefits, support to help you be your best, and flexibility, to help us all thrive.
• Navitas is where work has meaning. Our impact is far-reaching – we create lasting legacies for students and communities.
• Access to LinkedIn Learning for your development

Diversity Equity and Inclusion 

• At Navitas we promote and embrace an inclusive and diverse workforce. We believe equality, flexibility, and diversity deliver a rich collaborative environment. We strive to ensure that all our staff – no matter where they are from or who they are – feel safe, supported, and given opportunities to thrive.
• We encourage applications from candidates with disabilities, of all ages and genders, First Nations and Indigenous peoples, and people of diverse community groups.

How to Apply

Applications are assessed upon receipt and applications will close 18 September 2026. For enquiries about the role, please contact John McGuire on 02 9964 6527. To view other opportunities, please visit navitas.com/careers. 

All applicants must have full working rights within Australia to be considered. It is a mandatory requirement for any incumbent of this position to have a current NSW employee Working With Children clearance in accordance with the NSW Child Protection (Working with Children) Act 2012.