Head of Discipline - Social Work

Polytechnic Institute Australia – Melbourne VIC

Founded in 2010, Polytechnic Institute Australia (PIA) is a leading Institute of Higher Education accredited by the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA). With campuses in Melbourne CBD, Geelong, and Sydney CBD, PIA is a registered provider of courses for international students through the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS).

Committed to fostering a creative, supportive, and inclusive culture, PIA empowers students to achieve their professional aspirations while providing a safe and enriching learning environment tailored to real-world success.

Why your role matters Teaching staff play a key role in contributing to the achievement of PIA’s strategic objectives, particularly its strong commitment to an exceptional student experience and high-quality innovative teaching and learning practices.

Head of Discipline Responsibilities The Head of Discipline is responsible for the development, delivery and quality of the programs within their discipline. As the discipline expert, the position holder is focused on quality teaching for all units and courses within their area of expertise. The position holder is responsible to the Dean for ensuring that the curriculum material is, in compliance with the Institute policies, current, relevant and of appropriate quality and depth so that students are given the best possible start to their chosen career or enhancement to that career.

The heart of the role is the delivery of excellence in teaching and ensuring that content of all discipline units and courses within their discipline is current, relevant, and of high quality. In addition, the Head of Discipline needs to be a visionary to drive the development/orientation of current and future courses within their discipline and the future demands from industry and students.

Employment Status Negotiable Full‑Time or Part‑Time

Reporting to Head of School- Education and Humanities

Location Melbourne, Sydney or Geelong Campus

What you’ll do:

Learning & Teaching Management

Ensure effective delivery of all discipline units;

Actively support the deployment of effective, contemporary and creative learning & teaching strategies;

Manage professional placements (providers and students) for effective student outcomes;

Lead teaching staff on the tactical development and execution of learning and teaching methods, processes, and policies;

Course Development & Quality Assurance

Lead the regular revision of the PIA courses and units within the discipline;

Monitor PIA courses and units in the discipline, ensuring that learning and teaching processes are compatible and meet the requirement of both PIA, accreditation agencies and the regulator;

Support cross‑discipline reviews to promote academic consistency and continuous improvement;

Engage with learning technologists to ensure that technical innovations are implemented to meet the Institute’s functional learning and teaching needs within the discipline;

Industry Engagement & Relevance

Lead external discipline benchmarking of delivery approaches and tools to enhance quality delivery;

Engage with industry and discipline regulators to ensure continuing course relevance and alignment with contemporary pedagogies and professional standards;

Identify opportunities for improving academic and operational processes and quality to enhance operational efficiency and outcomes;

Implement initiatives aimed at improving the student experience and streamlining services;

Lead external benchmarking initiatives relating to the student experience;

Stakeholder Management

Collaborate with academic staff, administrative teams, and external stakeholders to ensure effective academic service delivery;

Provide timely support and advice to the Dean and other senior leaders regarding the student experience;

About You:

Doctoral qualifications in the discipline or Masters level qualifications with extended professional experience;

Evidence of ongoing scholarship in the discipline;

Experience in higher education learning & teaching operations and leadership;

Ability to work with students, placement mentors and staff from diverse backgrounds;

Ability to support students’ learning activities through various media and modes;

Excellent oral and written communication skills; and

Commitment to equity and diversity principles, and Work Health & Safety;

Relevant current professional memberships and registrations;

A postgraduate qualification in adult or higher education or a willingness to undertake such study to obtain one;

Activity in research/scholarship in relevant fields of education;

Understanding of Higher Education regulatory requirements, including the ESOS Act and the Threshold Standards;

Apply Now PIA is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. We value diversity in all its forms and welcome applications from all individuals, regardless of gender identity, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, or age. We particularly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Workplace Culture and Values Our institution is committed to academic excellence, student success, and innovation in learning. PIA employees are required to act in accordance with PIA’s values and behaviours of:

Accountability

Collegiality

Commitment

Recognition

Respect

Trust

If you meet the above criteria, you have a great opportunity to join PIA. Please provide your application with a Cover Letter and CV addressed to HOS- H&E @ ******@pia.edu.au. If you have any queries regarding the position or application process, please contact

**@pia.edu.au .

Given the seniority and significance of this position, and in recognition of the upcoming holiday period, the role will remain open for applications until 23 January 2026. To accommodate SEEK’s system parameters, the advertisement will run in two consecutive campaigns.

With consideration to the volume of applications received; only applicants moving to the next stage will be contacted.

Successful candidates will be required to obtain a Working with Children Check and provide evidence of Australian Citizenship or Visa.

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