Head of School – Health job with AUCKLAND UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

• Lead a diverse, connected and highly capable set of clinical health disciplines
• Become a key member of the Dean’s Head of School Leadership team
• 5-year fixed-term appointment, based at AUT’s South Campus in Manukau

As one of the world’s top 100 young universities and New Zealand’s newest, Auckland University of Technology (AUT) is a university of opportunity where all students with talent and potential have the chance to succeed. We are a socially driven university, with equity and excellence at the heart of our purpose and actions. We offer a stimulating teaching and research environment, characterised by strong connections to government, business, and industry. AUT has more than 26,000 students and over 4,000 staff, primarily based at our three Auckland campuses.  

AUT’s School of Acute and Primary Health

The School of Acute and Primary Health is a leader in health education in Aotearoa New Zealand, delivering high-quality undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in oral health, paramedicine, midwifery and perioperative practice. These disciplines span the acute and primary care continuum, preparing graduates to work across diverse healthcare settings, from acute and emergency response, pre-operative, intra-operative and post-operative care to contributions in community-based and preventative healthcare services. The school’s unique combination of programmes reflects its commitment to integrated, person-centred healthcare that is responsive to both immediate and long-term needs. The school is part of our dynamic Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences.

Please review the extensive candidate information handbook available for this role (includes details on the school, faculty, AUT, position description and more). 

The Opportunity | Te Whiwhinga mahi 

We are seeking interest from experienced academic health leaders (not only from disciplines within those of the school). Join us and make real impact as the Head of School, Acute and Primary Health!

As a key member of an empowered Dean’s Head of School Leadership Team, this role contributes significantly to the faculty’s direction and provides exceptional academic, administrative, and people management to more than 70 school staff. The school has around 1600 students.

Key focus areas of this role include: 

• Contribute to the collaborative leadership of the faculty through:
  

  • Faculty-wide strategic and financial planning
  • Undertaking cross-school initiatives
  • Championing equity and Te Tiriti o Waitangi commitments
  • Ensuring the effective delivery of faculty-wide goals

• Lead and manage the school, ensuring operational and academic excellence within a cohesive, collaborative environment for staff and students.
• Strengthen academic performance by lifting research capability across clinical and industry focused teams. Drive and uplift research growth, including external funding and supporting staff to develop grant winning capability.
• Lead cohesive interdisciplinary collaboration, bringing together expertise from the School with other Faculty health professions.
• Continue to develop the existing academic programmes that meet industry standards and student needs.
• Proactively cultivate strong partnerships with external stakeholders to amplify the school’s national and international presence and influence.
• Drive enrolments growth of international and postgraduate students.
• Foster staff professional development and uplift of leadership capabilities

About you | Ko wai koe

You will be recognised as a positive, encouraging and culturally capable leader who champions inclusivity and diversity, and is committed to creativity and innovation. Your ability to listen, connect, collaborate, communicate, and influence will be critical, as will be a strong respect for others. A resolute, robust and positive attitude is essential. 

We welcome applications senior academic leaders of health with staff management experience. The key selection criteria being sought:

1. Proven academic excellence within health disciplines and a record of academic achievement suitable for appointment as a professor (preferably) or associate professor.
2. Previous experience line-managing academics. Please indicate the size/scale of staff led, as well as other key leadership contributions you may have made (such as, for example, running a research centre or high-level innovative pedagogy and curriculum development etc).
3. Evidence of successful cross-disciplinary leadership and contributions. 
4. Successful track record securing grant funding and external research income.
5. Demonstrated ability developing significant connections and partnerships with key stakeholders including government, industry, business and community.
6. A champion for equity, diversity and inclusion.
7. A brief summary of your interest and experience embracing innovation.
8. Applicants are welcome to add further comments they may feel are relevant. A relevant PhD/doctorate is mandatory.

How to apply | Me pēhea te tuku tono  

Along with your full academic CV (including a complete list of publications and grant acquisitions) – please ensure to submit a) a cover letter which explains why this particular role (and AUT) is of interest, and b) a statement addressing how you feel you meet some, or all, of the criteria listed above.

Further Information: 

• Start Date: The successful candidate would ideally join AUT in mid-2026 (to be agreed). 
• Term: The successful candidate will secure a 5-year fixed-term to the role of Head of School (with potential for further extension). Please note, this position does not include an additional substantive permanent academic appointment. 
• Salary: Aligned with the appropriate step in AUT’s academic pay scales (Professor range: NZD $162,608 – $209,052; Associate Professor NZD $148,548 – $171,983). An additional annual allowance is also paid for Head of School responsibilities. 
• Contact for enquiries: Mike Wood, AUT Executive Recruitment Partner – [email protected]. Please note: AUT is closed for summer operations until 7 January and enquiries will not be monitored over this time, but will be replied to upon our return.
• Please note: The actual formal title of the position is: Head of School – Acute and Primary Health

Advertising closes:  Sunday 8 February 2026 at 11.55pm

Reference: 94373

At AUT we strive to be a place where people love to work and learn. We are committed to te Tiriti, excellence and inclusivity and aspire to be the University of choice for Māori and Pacific communities. We welcome people of all ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, religious and political beliefs, socio-economic situations and accessibility needs.

Please note that all applications must be submitted through the online application process. For further information, please send us an enquiry here or call 921 9499. Please note we are happy to answer your questions but we do not accept applications by email. You will need to apply through the standard registration process.