Dean, School of Media and Communication
RMIT University
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Contract
Competitive
OfficeExecutive
Dean, School ofMediaand Communication
Lead a high-performing School of Media and Communication, shaping its future direction,performanceand impact
Drive excellence in teaching, research, industryengagementand student outcomes across a dynamic and future-focused portfolio
Executive leadership opportunity within RMIT’s College of Design and Social Context, based at Melbourne CBD campus
About the role
Reporting to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Design and Social Context, the Dean, School ofMediaand Communicationprovidesstrategic,academicand operational leadership of one of RMIT’s most distinctive and globally recognised Schools. Accountable for the School’s strategic direction and overall performance, the Dean leads excellence across teaching and learning, research, student experience, financial sustainability, people leadership and industry engagement.
The School of Media and Communication is recognised for pushing the boundaries of digital knowledge creation and future-focused practice, with deep engagement across industry and community to ensure teaching and research respond creatively,innovativelyand responsiblyto global conditions. Home to a vibrant interdisciplinary community spanning communication, journalism, screen, public relations, advertising, creative writing, publishing, culture, music industry, digitalethnographyand new media, theSchoolmaintains a strong international focus with programs delivered across Melbourne,Vietnamand Singapore.
As a key member of the College Executive, the Dean leads the School Executive to shape and deliver theSchool’sstrategic vision, ensuring alignment with College and University priorities. The roleis responsible forfostering an innovative,inclusiveand high-performing academic environment, strengthening research and educational impact, and advancing theSchool’sprofile and partnerships locally,nationallyand internationally.
This is an opportunity to lead a School with strong industry engagement, while shaping future-ready education, interdisciplinary research and engagement in a rapidly evolving media and communication landscape.
Key priorities
Lead the strategic direction,performanceand long-term sustainability of theSchool, ensuring alignment with College and University priorities
Provide academic leadership across teaching, learning and research, strengthening theSchool’sreputation,qualityand impact
Foster an innovative,inclusiveandcontemporarylearning environment that supports student success, retention,employabilityand student experience
Strengthen research excellence, capability and impact through a collaborative, interdisciplinary and high-performing research culture
Drive industry,communityand external engagement, building partnerships that inform curriculum,researchand work-integrated learning
Advance the School’s profile locally,nationallyand internationally through external engagement and partnerships
Lead accreditation and regulatory requirements, ensuring strong governance, quality assurance and compliance across programs and operations
Provide strategic oversight of theSchool’sfinancial sustainability, resourceallocationand operational performance
Build and lead a high-performing, inclusive and engaged workforce, fostering capability development,collaborationand accountability
Work collaboratively as a member of the College Executive to deliver shared priorities and contribute toUniversity-wide initiatives and transformation
To be successful in this role, you will bring:
Proven senior academic leadership experience within a university environment, withdemonstratedsuccess in delivering academic excellence and organisational performance
Significant academic and/or professional standing in disciplines relevant to media and communication, with the credibility to lead a high-performing School
Demonstrated ability to develop and implement strategic plans, balancing academic priorities, financialsustainabilityand operational performance in complex environments
Strongtrack recordof building excellenceand relevancein teaching, learning and research, including fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation
Demonstrated research achievement and the ability to build research impact, partnerships and collaboration across industry,businessand government
Deep understanding of the media and communication sector, including emerging trends and professional requirements
Proven success in building strong external relationships and partnerships across industry, community, alumni,governmentand professional bodies
Outstanding stakeholder engagement,communicationand influencing skills, with the ability to lead collaboratively and make evidence-informed decisions
Strong people leadership capability, withdemonstratedsuccess in developing high-performing and engaged teams
A PhD in a relevant discipline, or equivalent,and academic standing consistent with RMIT’s Professorial criteria
Please Note:Appointment to this position is subject to passing a Working with Children and National Police Check.
To Apply
Pleasesubmityour CV and covering letter addressing your interest and suitability for this position by clicking on the ‘Apply’ link at the top of this page.
For further information about this position, please see the Position Description or contactDaniela Alvarezvia emaildaniela.alvarez.arambula@rmit.edu.aufor a confidential discussionregardingthis opportunity.
RMIT is an equal opportunity employer committed to being a child safe organisation. We are dedicated to attracting, retaining and developing our people regardless of gender identity, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability and age. Applications are encouraged from all sectors of the community, and we strongly encourage applications from the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander community.
In line with RMIT University’s commitment to a safe, respectful and inclusive environment, from 1 January 2026, the University will also consider gender-based violence (GBV) risk factors as part of our recruitment processes. All applicants will be required to complete a gender‑based violence declaration in accordance with the National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based Violence. Preferred candidates will also be required to undertake relevant pre‑employment background checks, including Working With Children Checks. Information provided will be treated confidentially and considered only for its relevance to the role and RMIT’s safety obligations.
At RMIT, we are committed to supporting adjustments throughout the recruitment and selection process, as well as during employment. We actively support and encourage people with disability to apply to RMIT (including alternate formats of application forms). To discuss adjustment requirements, please contact Dani, via talentsupport@rmit.edu.au or visit our Careers page for more contact information - https://www.rmit.edu.au/careers.
We are a Circle Back Initiative Employer – we commit to respond to every applicant.