About AE
Acknowledge Education is entering an exciting new chapter. With a refreshed leadership team and a renewed focus on innovation, growth, and student success, we are building on our 139-year legacy to shape the future of higher education and VET in Australia.
We deliver programs across health & community services, social work, engineering design & construction, hospitality, and the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE), with campuses in Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, Brisbane, and Adelaide. Each year we support more than 8,000 students to achieve their goals.
Now, under new leadership, we are strengthening our academic vision, deepening industry connections, and investing in our people. If you’re looking to make an impact in an organisation with momentum, this is the right time to join us.
Job Description
About the role: The Dean – Academic Quality provides strategic leadership and institutional oversight of academic quality, course integrity, and continuous improvement across all accredited higher education. The role ensures that all courses meet regulatory, accreditation, and internal quality standards, and that academic governance processes are robust, transparent, and compliant with the HESF, ESOS, National Code, and relevant professional accreditation requirements.
What We Are Looking For
* A senior academic leader with extensive experience in academic quality, governance, and course accreditation.
* Proven ability to ensure regulatory compliance across HESF, ESOS, National Code, AQF, and professional accreditation frameworks.
* Strong strategic, analytical, and policy development skills, with experience leading multi-campus or multi-mode education programs.
* Exceptional stakeholder engagement, leadership, and communication skills, with a track record of driving continuous improvement in higher education.
Key Responsibilities
Academic Quality & Standards
* Provide institutional leadership for academic quality assurance and enhancement across all courses and disciplines.
* Ensure course design, delivery, assessment, moderation, and review processes align with:
o Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards)
o ESOS Act and National Code
o AQF requirements
o Internal Academic Policies and Procedures
* Oversee the integrity, consistency, and comparability of academic standards across campuses and modes of delivery.
Course Approval, Review & Accreditation
* Lead and oversee all course lifecycle processes, including:
o New course development and approval
o Course review, renewal, and Teachout processes
o Major and minor course amendments
* Prepare submissions to governing bodies, regulators and professional accrediting bodies, ensuring academic rigor, compliance, and timely progression through internal review processes.
* Act as the senior academic leader for quality assurance in course accreditation matters.
Assessment, Moderation, Grade Ratification & Student completion
* Ensure effective institutional frameworks for:
o Assessment design and alignment with learning outcomes
o Moderation and benchmarking
o Grade ratification and progression decisions
* Promote sector best practice in authentic assessment and integrity assurance.
* Ensure to check and identify the academic requirements of the student before the Board of Examiners recommend the graduands to the Academic Board for conferral.
Academic Policy reviews and updates
* Lead the review, development, and periodic updating of academic quality and course-related policies to ensure compliance with regulatory, accreditation, and institutional requirements
* Oversee the evaluation of existing policies to ensure they remain current, effective, and aligned with best practice in higher education
* Promote understanding and consistent application of course quality policies across faculties and campuses
* Lead continuous improvement initiatives informed by policy review outcomes, course performance data, and stakeholder feedback
* Consult with academic leaders, course coordinators, quality teams, and governance committees during policy reviews and updates
* Interpret external regulatory changes (e.g. TEQSA, AQF, accreditation bodies) and translate them into clear, implementable policy updates
Academic Governance & Committees
* Serve as a member of the Academic Board and relevant sub-committees.
* Provide advice to the Provost, Academic Board, on academic quality risks and improvements.
* Lead reporting for AB and all sub-committees
* Chair some of the Academic Board sub-committees
* Ensure academic governance processes are compliant, well-documented, and auditable.
Regulatory Compliance & Risk Management
* Lead institutional (academic part) readiness for audits, re-registration, and accreditation processes.
* Identify, monitor, and mitigate academic quality risks, including:
o Course viability and outcomes
o Student progression, attrition, and completion
o Assessment validity and consistency
* Ensure compliance reporting is accurate, timely, and evidence-based.
Data, Monitoring, Benchmarking & Continuous Improvement
* Lead the use of academic performance data and quality indicators to inform decision-making and improvement strategies.
* Oversee course evaluation processes, including student feedback, external benchmarking, and outcomes analysis.
* Ensure action plans arising from reviews and audits are implemented and monitored.
Capabilities & Attributes
* Deep expertise in academic quality assurance and governance within Australian higher education.
* Strong working knowledge of:
* TEQSA regulatory framework
* ESOS Act and National Code
* AQF and course accreditation requirements
* Demonstrated ability to interpret standards and translate them into operational academic practice.
* High-level analytical, policy development, and academic writing skills.
* Proven leadership in managing complex academic quality systems and regulatory submissions.
* Exceptional stakeholder engagement, influence, and communication skills.
Qualifications
* Doctoral qualification in a relevant discipline
* Extensive senior academic leadership experience (e.g. Dean, Associate Dean, Head of School, Director of Quality).
* Demonstrated experience leading course accreditation, review, and regulatory compliance processes.
* Strong track record in academic governance and quality assurance
* Experience in multi-campus, multi-mode, or international education contexts.
* Understanding of Higher Education regulatory environments.
* Familiarity with digital learning environments and emerging educational technologies.
* Experience in staff development, mentorship, and performance management.
This advert will close on the 13th of February 11.55pm
Please submit your cover letter and CV and press the apply now button below
Additional Information
Why join AE
Now is the perfect time to join Acknowledge Education. With a refreshed leadership team and a renewed focus on innovation and growth, we’re building something special — and you can be part of it.
* Opportunities to grow within the organisation
* $1,500 annual professional development allowance
* Incredibly committed and supportive team of student-centric professionals
* Health insurance discounts through Bupa
* Be part of a fast-moving, agile private provider where decisions turn into action quickly
* Acknowledge Education is part of UP Education group – a leading education provider: https://www.up.education/
Questions about your identity help us appreciate the diversity of individuals looking to work with us, ensuring we’re attracting applications from people with identities and perspectives that are as diverse as our students.
We are an equal opportunity employer. As part of our commitment to equity, we work to ensure a fair and consistent interview process. We celebrate diversity and we are committed to an inclusive work environment.
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