* Full time, fixed term for up to 5 years with a continuing professorial appointment
* Opportunity to contribute to world-class research with real-world impact in a highly collaborative environment
* Offering a competitive remuneration package including 17% superannuation
About the opportunity
The University of Sydney Business School is undergoing an exciting transformation, moving from nine disciplines to six schools to enable greater leadership opportunities, balanced resources, and more impactful interdisciplinary teaching and research.
As Head of School, you will be a key member of the Faculty Leadership Group and lead the school’s leadership team. This pivotal role shapes and executes the overall faculty strategy at the school level, ensuring alignment with university policies and external standards. You will set, communicate, and achieve academic and operational objectives, including curriculum development, research and education strategies, resource allocation, talent management, and external engagement.
You will also manage the school’s budget to ensure financial sustainability, while fostering a positive workplace culture and role modelling the University’s values. Your leadership will inspire academic excellence, enhance the student experience, maintain accreditation standards, and further strengthen the school’s reputation nationally and internationally.
About the School of International Business, Logistics and Supply Chains (IBLS)
The School of International Business, Logistics and Supply Chains (IBLS) brings together complementary strengths in international business, logistics, and supply chain management to address some of the most complex challenges shaping global economies and shaping solutions for business. The school delivers high-quality, policy-relevant research and contemporary teaching that equips students, industry, and governments to navigate increasingly interconnected, volatile, and sustainability-orientated global systems.
IBLS has expertise spanning international business, global strategy, cultural frameworks and logistics, global value chains, and sustainability. The school is also home to the world-leading Institute of Transport and Logistics Studies (ITLS), ranked #1 in Australia and #8 globally for Transportation Science and Technology (Shanghai Ranking 2025). IBLS maintains deep and enduring partnerships with industry, government, and international organisations, reinforcing its position as a trusted authority in international business, logistics, and supply chain policy and practice.
The school has a distinctive and internationally visible research profile and is widely regarded as a research powerhouse within the Business School. ITLS’s research spans all modes of transport — including aviation, maritime, road, rail, and public transport — and sits at the interface of transport systems, logistics, supply chains, infrastructure management, sustainability, and innovation. Research in international business is focused on dynamics of international business and the economy, regulatory and cultural aspects as well as emerging markets. Strong media presence and sustained engagement with government and industry are supported by governance structures, including an active Board of Advice, ensuring research impact extends well beyond academia.
Teaching includes a major in the BCom program as well as a combination of specialist degree offerings, including two world-leading programs, the Master of International Business (ranked #1 in Australia) and the Master of Logistics and Supply Chain Management. Value adding contributions to the University’s lifelong learning and executive education portfolio occurs through short courses and micro-credentials. The school engages through impactful connections with professional and industry bodies, providing students with recognition, prizes, and access to industry networks that enhance employability and professional engagement.
The school is outward-looking, diverse, and globally connected, with strong international research collaborations across leading institutions in Australia, Asia, Europe, Africa, and beyond, including partnerships with Monash University, ETH Zurich, and the University of Leeds. IBLS is also advancing inclusive and socially impactful initiatives, including the donor-funded Cooee Program delivered with Sydney Indigenous Enterprise, supporting Indigenous economic capability and entrepreneurship in transport and logistics.
For an incoming Head of School, IBLS offers a high-performing, industry-embedded platform with a global reputation, and clear scope to shape strategy, scale impact, and lead one of the Business School’s most distinctive and connected academic communities.
About you (skills, capabilities and experience)
We are seeking an experienced and visionary leader with:
* A wide network of established relationships with key academic, industry, and professional institutions, partners, and stakeholders.
* In-depth knowledge of strategic issues in the higher education sector.
* Proven skills and experience in financial and operational management.
* A strong understanding of academic leadership, from curriculum design to research excellence and student success.
* Demonstrated experience in people leadership and management within the higher education or knowledge sector.
Your ability to inspire, influence, and lead will be critical in shaping the future of the school and contributing to the University’s reputation for excellence.
Key benefits
* a University contribution of 17% of your base salary to your superannuation fund
* tax-efficient salary packaging options for cars, laptops, and additional contributions to your superannuation fund
* generous relocation allowance if moving from interstate or overseas
* access to fitness passport, as well as discounted rates on university sports and fitness centers
* gain the recognition of working in a leading University.
Term and remuneration
The successful candidate will be offered up to a 5 year fixed term position on a full-time basis, with a professorial appointment in an appropriate discipline in the school and will retain that position at the conclusion of
their headship. The appointment is subject to completion of a satisfactory probation period for new appointees.
Pre-employment checks
Your employment is conditional upon the completion of all role required pre-employment or background checks in terms satisfactory to the University. Similarly, your ongoing employment is conditional upon the satisfactory maintenance of all relevant clearances and background check requirements. If you do not meet these conditions, the University may take any necessary step, including the termination of your employment.
EEO statement
At the University of Sydney, our shared values are trust, accountability and excellence and we strive to be a place where everyone can thrive. We are committed to creating a University community that thrives through diversity and reflects the wider community that we serve. We deliver on this through our commitment to diversity and inclusion, evidenced by our people and culture programs, as well as key strategies to increase participation and support the careers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, women, people living with a disability, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and those who identify as LGBTQIA+. We welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds.
We are proud to be recognised as an Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI) Platinum Employer. Find out more about our work on diversity and inclusion.
How to apply
Applications (including a CV and cover letter outlining how your skills, capabilities and experience meet the requirements for the role) can be submitted via the Apply button at the top of the page. Please refer to the candidate information brochure and position description for further details.
Click to view the Candidate Information Brochure for this role.
You can also obtain a link to the brochure by contacting **************@odgers.com
Click to view the Position Description for this role.
For employees of the University or contingent workers, please login into your Workday account and navigate to the Career icon on your Dashboard. Click on USYD Find Jobs and apply.
The university has engaged executive search firm Odgers to assist with this appointment who will support the Selection Committee to identify the widest possible field of qualified candidates and to assess candidates against the requirements for the role.
For a confidential conversation concerning the Heads of the Schools of International Business, Logistics and Supply Chains; Strategy, Innovation and Technology; or Work and Organisational Studies, please contact:
* Dr Alistair Clark on **************@odgers.com
* Sophie Malone on +61 2 8905 3703 or *************@odgers.com
© The University of Sydney
The University reserves the right not to proceed with any appointment.
Applications Close
Monday 02 March 2026 11:59 PM