Head, School of Psychological Sciences

We are looking to appoint an exceptional academic leader as Head of the School of Psychological Sciences to provide strategic, academic and operational leadership across teaching and learning, research, and community and industry engagement.  

In this role, you will shape the School's future direction by leading the development of sustainable and innovative academic programs, strengthening and aligning research performance and impact, and building meaningful partnerships across government, health services, industry and community sectors. As a key member of the UTAS Health leadership team, you will support the stewardship of the Health portfolio and broader institutional priorities, and help advance the University's Health Transition. Working collaboratively across the University, you will champion interdisciplinary approaches, support staff and student success, and position the School to respond to emerging workforce, professional practice and community needs. 

This is a unique opportunity to lead a School that plays a vital role in advancing health and wellbeing outcomes for, and from, Tasmania. Through strategic leadership and collaboration, you will help shape the future of Psychological Sciences, strengthen the University's impact, and make a lasting contribution to the communities it serves. 

As part of UTAS Health, the School of Psychological Sciences is a vibrant and high-performing academic community with a strong reputation for excellence in teaching, research and community engagement. The School delivers nationally accredited undergraduate, Honours and postgraduate programs in Psychology, alongside Counselling programs offered across Tasmania and nationally, providing accessible and innovative pathways for students seeking to make a meaningful difference in people's lives. 

Through a commitment to outstanding student experiences, industry engagement and evidence-based practice, the School prepares highly skilled graduates to understand, assess and influence human behaviour across a broad range of professional, clinical and community settings. Close connections with government, health and community sectors, together with the University Psychology Clinics in Hobart and Launceston, create rich opportunities for applied learning, research translation and community impact. 

The University of Tasmania is a mission-driven institution dedicated to making a difference for Lutruwita/Tasmania and a distinctive contribution from Tasmania to the world. As the sole university on the island, the University is deeply embedded in the social, economic, and environmental fabric of Tasmania, working in close partnership with communities, industry, and government to address key challenges in education, health, productivity, and climate action. The University takes pride in its place-based identity, leveraging Tasmania’s unique geography, culture, and resources to offer world-leading research and education. 

We are seeking an accomplished and collaborative leader with academic qualifications and experience commensurate with a senior academic appointment in a relevant discipline. You will bring a strong track record of leadership within a university, health education or related setting, with the ability to build high-performing teams, foster an inclusive culture, and contribute to institution-wide outcomes. 

As the successful candidate will possess a strong understanding of the health workforce, accreditation and service delivery trends shaping higher education. You will demonstrate excellence in academic leadership, including curriculum development, teaching quality, student success, research performance, and partnership development. 

A strategic and collegiate leader, you will be comfortable navigating complexity, contributing as part of a high-performing leadership team, building relationships across industry, government and community sectors, and overseeing financial, governance and risk responsibilities to ensure a sustainable and future-focused School. 

As we look toward 2050, we remain committed to fostering excellence, collaboration, and transformative education - preparing graduates to navigate the challenges of a rapidly changing world, and shape its future. While remaining true to our Tasmanian roots, this career defining role will see you significantly contribute to our dedication to making a difference for, and from, Tasmania. In return for your experience, you’ll have access to an array of staff benefits and discounts including: 

If this role is of interest, we look forward to hearing from you. Please provide your up-to-date resume and: 

• A 1-2 page cover letter outlining your motivation for the role at the University of Tasmania 

• Address the selection criteria by outlining how your skills and experience align with the role specific skills, knowledge and experience in the Position Description 

•  For further information about this position, please contact the Talent Acquisition team via email: TalentTeam@utas.edu.au 

 Position Description - Head of Psychological Sciences.pdf

To be eligible for this position, you are required to have Australian citizenship, permanent residence or a current valid visa that allows you to fulfill the requirements of this role. 

As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive workplace, employment history and police background checks may be conducted as part of the selection process.