OverviewVU Online delivers fully online Higher Education courses for Victoria University (VU). Victoria University is a dual sector university that offers the VU Block Model, an Australian first that lets students focus on one unit at a time - leading to increased student success. At VU Online, we're proud to deliver online postgraduate and undergraduate courses that empower students to succeed, backed by academic support and a commitment to preparing graduates with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in industry. We foster a community where accountability, innovation, collaboration and respect are embedded in how we work every day. We operate as a fast moving scale-up focused on delivering meaningful impact for learners. How we work is guided by our principles: Own It, Test and Learn, Better Together, Build with Care. These guide decision making, behaviours and the way we show up for students and each other. Own Itmeans we take responsibility and act early to do what's right for students and each other. Test and Learnmeans we improve quality and impact by learning quickly and adapting thoughtfully. Better Togethermeans we work as one connected organisation to deliver better outcomes. Build with Caremeans we support each other to do our best work, sustainably. We are guided by our mission to unleash career opportunities through genuine support and innovative learning. At all times we balance innovation and pace with a fierce commitment to quality – all underpinned by an ethos that puts students at the centre of our thinking. About youThe VU Online Executive Dean is a Level E (Professor) role. This is an ideal opportunity for an existing Level E academic, or a highly experienced Associate Professor looking to step into a Dean and Professor role, to shape the future of online education at scale. You are an accomplished teaching-focused academic with a strong track record of leadership in higher education. You bring significant expertise in the Scholarship of Learning and Teaching (SoLT) and are recognised as a thought leader and practice leader in online delivery models. You are passionate about ensuring that teaching practice is informed by cutting edge research - with a demonstrated ability to translate research into practice to continuously enhance learning outcomes. Your commitment to academic quality and standards is matched by your entrepreneurial mindset, allowing you to play a key senior leadership role within an entity charged with delivering substantial growth on behalf of VU. You are a values-oriented people leader who can drive great outcomes from your team with high levels of care. You are a strong communicator and an empathetic collaborator with a wide range of stakeholders, including professional functions. Purpose of the positionThe role of Executive Dean, VU Online holds an overarching academic accountability for VU Online's course portfolio leading academic quality, governance and innovation across a complex and commercially oriented environment. Reporting to the CEO, VU Online, the role provides academic leadership and governance across the student lifecycle to ensure excellence in teaching, learning, and student outcomes. Key responsibilitiesinclude: Lead the student-centred delivery of VU Online programs, ensuring strong academic outcomes at scale across a distributed workforce. Define and implement robust quality frameworks and practices across the entire student lifecycle. Ensure all academic delivery including unit design, assessment, and course builds meet internal and external compliance requirements. Oversee quality and compliance of third-party arrangements, ensuring quality frameworks extend across all delivery partners. Ensure all public facing materials accurately reflect academic offerings and meet regulatory requirements. Drive a culture of continuous improvement, embedding scholarship and emerging research into teaching practice. Lead a diverse academic portfolio managing quality, performance and innovation at scale. Build strong partnerships with academic and professional teams representing VU Online across governance forums as needed and with external stakeholders. Selection criteriaA doctoral qualification (PhD or equivalent); with significant post-doctoral experience in senior academic roles Experience translating the TEQSA Higher Education Standards Framework (2021) and institutional policies into internal quality assurance models and practices. Proven record of excellence and innovation in teaching and learning, with deep understanding of adult learning theories and evidence-based online pedagogical practices Demonstrable experience leading teams in the administration and end-to-end delivery of online higher education programs, including curriculum design, assessment, moderation, and quality assurance processes. Extensive academic leadership capability, with a proven ability to lead, mentor, and motivate academic staff to deliver high-quality online learning experiences and achieve strong student outcomes. Strong track record of embedding external scholarship and research into teaching practice, with recognised thought leadership in online pedagogy. Experience managing third-party delivery models and complex stakeholder environments. Proven track record as a people leader, managing performance and development of a team of academic and non-academic roles in a scaling organisation. Selection processPlease apply with your CV and a cover letter concisely addressing each of the Key Selection Criteria. Applications that do not contain both a CV and response to Key Selection Criteria will not be considered. If this is of interest, we would love to hear from you. Applications close 30 April 2026. VU Online will only contact shortlisted candidates. Statement of CommitmentVU has a strong commitment to progressive inclusivity including gender equality and the prevention of gender-based violence. To comply with its obligations under the National Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-Based Violence in Higher Education, VU Online is asking all prospective employees to declare whether they have previously been investigated for, or found to have engaged in, conduct that constitutes Gender based violence. Gender-based Violence means any form of physical or non-physical violence, harassment, abuse or threats, based on gender, that results in, or is likely to result in, harm, coercion, control, fear or deprivation of liberty or autonomy. As such, any offers are conditional to completing VU's pre-employment declaration and checks. Social InclusionVU Online is committed to equal opportunity, social justice, cultural diversity and social inclusion in education and employment. We are an LGBTIQA+ and gender diverse employer. Victoria University's commitment to social justice has been recognised in the Impact Rankings, which track universities against the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Acknowledgment of CountryVictoria University acknowledges, recognises and respects the Ancestors, Elders and families of the Boonwurrung, Waddawurrung and Wurundjeri of the Kulin who are the traditional owners of University land in Victoria, and the Gadigal and Guring-gai of the Eora Nation who are the traditional owners of University land in Sydney.#J-18808-Ljbffr