Dean of Applied Professional Practices

Job Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: Auckland

Job Category: Education & Training

At Skills Group Training (Skills), our purpose is to be a global leader in maximising human potential. Our mission is to build talent and prepare a skilled future-fit workforce that drives personal, organisational, and industry success. With a commitment to innovation and excellence, we're transforming how education and industry connect to create meaningful career pathways and prepare graduates for evolving workforce challenges.

Job Description

The Opportunity

Lead the Faculty of Higher Education and Professional Practice at Skills Institute

Skills is seeking an exceptional and visionary Dean to provide strategic leadership for our new Faculty of Higher Education and Professional Practice. This is a rare opportunity to shape the future of professional education by building an innovative faculty dedicated to bridging academic excellence with real-world practice.

As the founding Dean, you will establish a distinctive educational model that integrates rigorous academic standards with industry-relevant experience, developing graduates who will enter the workforce with both theoretical knowledge and practical capabilities that employers value.

This role provides a platform to make a lasting impact on the future of professional education, creating programmes that respond to emerging workforce trends while establishing Skills Institute as a recognised leader in vocational professional practice education globally.

Reporting Line

Reporting to the Director of Vocational and Higher Education, you will have the autonomy to build a faculty culture that champions innovation, research excellence, and meaningful industry engagement.

Direct reports: During the initial establishment phase, Senior Discipline Leads and as the faculty matures and systems are established the direct reports will be Heads of School.

Desired Skills And Experience

Strategic Leadership Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a compelling vision and strategic plan for the Faculty that aligns with Skills' global mission while establishing a distinctive academic identity
• Create and embed a culture of innovation, academic excellence, and creativity in curriculum design that seamlessly integrates rigorous scholarship with practical work-integrated learning experiences
• Drive the development of industry-leading educational programmes that deliver measurable career advancement outcomes for graduates and address emerging workforce trends
• Establish and nurture strategic partnerships with industry leaders across sectors, creating meaningful workplace learning opportunities and ensuring curriculum relevance
• Lead the faculty's research strategy, building a vibrant research culture that contributes new knowledge in applied vocational professional practice and work-integrated learning
• Build, mentor, and lead a diverse team of academic and administrative staff and industry professionals, fostering collaboration and a commitment to educational excellence
• Represent the Faculty across the institution and externally, serving as a compelling advocate for the value of vocational professional practice education
• Ensure sound financial management and sustainability through effective planning, resource allocation, and development of alternative revenue streams
• Create systems for continuous improvement and quality assurance, ensuring programs maintain high standards and respond to emerging trends
  
  

Research Leadership

• Establish and advance a distinctive research programme that positions the Faculty as a thought leader in applied learning and professional practice
• Foster a thriving research culture by mentoring academic staff, facilitating collaborative research initiatives, and creating structures that support research success
• Drive cross-organisational research initiatives to develop institutional research capacity and create valuable interdisciplinary connections
• Secure external research funding from industry, government, and other relevant sources
• Establish strategic research partnerships with industry, professional bodies, and other higher education institutions nationally and internationally
• Ensure research activities translate into enhanced teaching and learning experiences and contribute to improved professional practice
• Chair of the Academic Research and Ethics Committee to support funding submissions/grants, forums and approvals
  
  

Essential Qualifications & Experience

• PhD in a relevant field, preferably with a focus on vocational/applied professional practice
• Proven track record of progressive leadership in higher education, demonstrating both vision and operational excellence
• Significant industry experience with established networks across relevant professional sectors
• Established research profile with a strong publication record in high-impact journals and success in securing research funding
• Demonstrated success in developing and implementing innovative, industry-relevant higher education programmes
• Experience in faculty development, including recruiting, mentoring, and evaluating academic staff
• Track record of building successful partnerships between academia and industry
• Proven ability to manage budgets and resources effectively in an academic setting
• Experience with academic quality assurance processes and accreditation requirements
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in higher education
  
  

Key Leadership Attributes

• Visionary Thinking : Ability to conceptualise and articulate a compelling future for vocational professional practice education and translate this vision into practical strategies
• Inspirational Leadership : Exceptional interpersonal skills with the charisma to inspire and motivate teams, engage diverse stakeholders, and build consensus around shared goals
• Strategic Agility : Capacity to navigate complexity, anticipate emerging trends, and position the Faculty to respond proactively to changing workforce needs
• Innovative Mindset : Demonstrated ability to challenge conventional approaches and foster an environment where creative thinking thrives
• Global Perspective : Understanding of international educational contexts and workforce trends with the vision to apply global insights to local contexts
• Collaborative Approach : Skill in building productive relationships across organisational boundaries and with external partners
• Entrepreneurial Spirit : Willingness to take calculated risks, identify new opportunities, and develop innovative approaches to challenges
• Results Orientation : Strong focus on delivering measurable outcomes and creating lasting impact
  
  

What We Value

At Skills, we are more than a team, we are a community. Our culture is built on our vital signs of Joy, Manaakitanga, Grow and Bold. We believe in creating an environment where everyone feels valued and empowered. We encourage curiosity, innovation, and continuous learning. We celebrate our successes together and support each other in challenges.

Our guiding whakatauki (proverb) encapsulates this ethos: 'Ko te manu e kai ana i te miro nōna te ngahere, ko te manu e kai ana i te mātauranga nōna te ao.' This translates to 'The bird that feasts upon the miro berry, the forest belongs to it; the bird that consumes knowledge, the (whole) world belongs to it.' We are committed to fostering an environment where knowledge is celebrated, the key to unlimited possibilities.

The Rewards

As Dean Of Professional Practice, You Will

• Shape the future of professional vocational education at a time of significant transformation in higher education and workforce needs
• Lead a dynamic and diverse team committed to educational excellence and innovation
• Build meaningful connections with industry partners and professional communities
• Advance your own research and professional standing in a supportive environment
• Contribute to an institution with a strong commitment to making a difference in the lives of the learners
• Enjoy competitive compensation and benefits reflective of the seniority and importance of this role
• Work in a collaborative, values-driven environment that celebrates achievement and fosters well-being
  
  

This is a rare opportunity to create something truly distinctive in the higher education landscape, combining academic excellence with professional relevance. If you are a visionary leader who is passionate about transforming professional vocational education and ready for a challenge that will test your creativity, strategic thinking, and leadership capabilities, we want to hear from you.