Department Chair, Media and Communication

Department Chair, Media and Communication

Prime opportunity to lead the Department of Media and Communication in the School of Social Sciences, Media, Film and Education.

Full-time position in Hawthorn, a central Melbourne location with staff benefits including hybrid work and discount study fees.

Three-year leadership role underpinned by an ongoing Professorial (Academic Level E) appointment.

About the Role

The Department Chair of Media and Communication, situated within the School of Social Sciences, Media, Film and Education, plays a pivotal role in both academic leadership and operational management. Reporting directly to the Dean, the Chair will engage collaboratively with fellow Department Chairs, Associate Deans, Centre Directors, and various teams across the University to craft and implement strategies that resonate with the University’s vision of becoming Australia's leading institution in technology and innovation.

In this capacity, the Department Chair will oversee the strategic development of academic programs, enhance the Department’s research profile, improve student experiences, and strengthen external engagement initiatives. This leadership role involves guiding a committed team of academics, ensuring accountability in executing strategic initiatives, and actively pursuing new opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration with other departments, research centres, and external partners.

Moreover, as a member of the School’s Executive Group, the Chair will be instrumental in fostering an innovation ecosystem within the School, contributing to a vibrant culture of creativity in teaching and research across discipline groups. Building the Department's capacity to create impactful teaching and research is a key focus. The ideal candidate will be a collaborative leader with a proven record in research and education, demonstrating a deep commitment to team-oriented approaches.

Additionally, the Department Chair will represent the University at relevant external committees and serve as an advocate for their discipline on various School and University-wide committees, further enhancing the Department’s influence and reach within the academic community.

About You

To be suitable for this role you will need to have experience in the below key accountabilities:

• Demonstrated profile as an outstanding leader in a relevant discipline and the ability to lead across the broader discipline areas within the Department.
• A demonstrated academic research and teaching achievements track record.
• Demonstrated ability to both lead and be an effective team contributor for the development of new course offerings in relevant disciplines and to lead and manage staff to deliver innovative course design in a multi-disciplinary setting.
• Demonstrated high level of interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to liaise with a wide variety of academics, work within a consultative, team environment in multi-disciplinary contexts. Ability to liaise with senior external members of relevant professions in industry and government.
• Demonstrated strong experience in the management of human, financial and physical resources.

Qualifications

• A PhD qualification in a discipline relevant to the Department (essential)
• A teaching qualification (preferred)

Appointment of Senior Academic Roles at the Department of Media and Communication

Following the launch of our next gen_now Bachelor of Media and Communication, the Department of Media and Communication at Swinburne University of Technology is seeking to appoint four exceptional senior academics.

Swinburne’s Department of Media and Communication offers innovative programs in Advertising, Cinema and Screen Studies, Creative Writing, Journalism, Public Relations, Social Media, and our groundbreaking Immersive Media program.

As we enter this new phase of development, we invite leading scholars in Professional Communication and Digital Media to join our ranks. These four positions are more than just jobs—they are opportunities to influence the next wave of media professionals. You’ll play a vital role in delivering inspiring undergraduate and postgraduate courses, while also leading impactful research initiatives that will push boundaries and redefine the industry.

With our soon-to-be-upgraded, state-of-the-art media and communication production facilities at your fingertips, you will have the tools you need to craft extraordinary learning experiences and contribute to pioneering research.

If you are ready to elevate your academic career and make a significant impact in the world of media and communication, we want to hear from you.

About Swinburne University of Technology

Swinburne Horizon 2025 draws upon our understanding of future challenges. With this strategic plan, we choose to build Swinburne as the prototype of a new and different university – one that is truly of Technology, of Innovation and of Entrepreneurship. We are committed to a differentiated university proposition in education and research, so that:

• Every Swinburne learner gets a work experience
• Every Swinburne graduate gets a job
• Every Swinburne partner gets a tech solution
• Swinburne is the prototype of global best practice

The achievement of our 2025 moon shots depends on our capacity to work collectively, always, as One Swinburne.

To Apply

Please submit your CV and cover letter addressing your suitability for this position.

To review the Position Description and to apply, please scroll down to the bottom of the page.

If you are viewing this advertisement from an external site, please click ‘apply’ and you will be redirected to Swinburne’s Jobs website to access the Position Description at the bottom of the page.

For more information about the role, please email Eve at echarif@swin.edu.au

Please Note: Appointment to this position is subject to passing a Working with Children Check.

If you are experiencing technical difficulties with your application, please contact the Swinburne Talent Acquisition Team on talentacquisition@swin.edu.au.

Applications Close: Sunday, September 15th 2024 at 11pm AEST.

Swinburne offers flexible working options contained in our leave and parenting/carer policies to support work-life balance.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Swinburne University of Technology is dedicated to creating a varied, welcoming, and open learning and work environment that embraces diversity, promotes inclusion, ensures fair access to opportunities, and actively opposes bullying, discrimination, sexual harm, victimisation, and vilification. We appreciate every individual in our community, regardless of ability/disability, age, cultural and ethnic background, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and family and relationship status. For further details on our efforts, please explore our Equity & Diversity website.

Disability and Reasonable Adjustments

Swinburne University of Technology actively supports and encourages individuals with disability to apply. We provide reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment and selection process by ensuring that we cater to the access and participation needs of all candidates.

For a confidential discussion regarding accessibility requirements, or to provide feedback on how we can continue to improve our recruitment processes to better accommodate adjustments you require, please reach out to staffrecruitment@swin.edu.au or call +61 3 9214 3410.

Science in Australia Gender Equity (SAGE) at Swinburne

Swinburne is enhancing gender equity and diversity, with a focus on science, technology, engineering, maths and medicine (STEMM), by participating in the Science in Australia Gender Equity (SAGE) program.

Swinburne University is actively engaged in improving representation and participation of women in STEMM fields, aiming to address ongoing gender inequity. As an inaugural recipient of the Athena SWAN Institutional Bronze Award, we have implemented our original SAGE Action Plan (2019-2021) and continue our commitment through the current SAGE Action Plan (2022-2025), focusing on meaningful actions to foster long-lasting change and advance gender equity and diversity in STEMM.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Applicants

We welcome and strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

For any support please contact staffrecruitment@swin.edu.au or for more information on our Indigenous strategies please follow the link to our RAP Reconciliation Action Plan.

Victoria’s Commitment to Action: Improving international student employment outcomes

As a signatory to Victoria’s Commitment to Action, Swinburne seeks to remove barriers to international graduate employment. We welcome and encourage applications from international graduates.

We are a 2023 Circle Back Initiative Employer – we commit to respond to every applicant.

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