Dean of Engineering, RMIT University

RMIT University is seeking an exceptional leader to serve as the next Dean, School of Engineering within the STEM College. This is a rare opportunity to lead one of Australia’s largest and most globally connected engineering schools—home to nearly 10,000 students, 350 staff and research income exceeding $45 million annually.

Reporting to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, STEM College and Vice-President, the Dean provides visionary leadership across teaching and learning, research, industry engagement, and global partnerships. The role will shape the next chapter for a School already recognised internationally for its work-relevant programs, cutting-edge facilities, and research with real-world impact.

Joining at a time of purposeful renewal across the STEM College, the Dean will help drive a culture grounded in collaboration, accountability, respect, empowerment, and innovation— embedding digital transformation across learning, research and operations. This includes leading initiatives to enhance global partnerships and student experiences across RMIT’s campuses in Melbourne and Vietnam, and research centres in Europe and Asia.

Key Responsibilities include:

• Lead and inspire a world-class academic community across six engineering disciplines, ensuring excellence in education, research and engagement.
• Develop and implement a compelling vision for the School aligned with RMIT’s Knowledge with Action strategy and the STEM College’s Charter and Values.
• Foster an inclusive and high-performing culture built on collaboration, accountability, respect, and empowerment.
• Drive research excellence and interdisciplinary collaboration in areas such as advanced manufacturing and design; computing technologies; health innovation and nanomaterials and devices.
• Lead academic transformations in the School through digital innovation, including digitally enhanced student-centered learning experiences.
• Build and strengthen local and global partnerships with industry, government, community organisations and academic institutions that translate research into real-world outcomes and expand international education and research opportunities.
• Lead strategic and operational management of the School, ensuring academic quality, financial sustainability, and continuous improvement.

About You

You are an accomplished leader in engineering higher education with the strategic capability, scholarly reputation, and people leadership experience to lead and elevate a School of this scale and influence. You bring credibility in both research and teaching, proven ability to lead large, complex academic environments, and a track record of cultivating innovation and collaboration across diverse teams.

To be successful in this role, you will bring:

• A PhD in a relevant Engineering discipline and distinguished standing as a scholar and leader.
• Proven experience leading a School, Faculty or large research unit within a university or equivalent organisation.
• Demonstrated ability to drive transformation across digital learning, research innovation, and culture within a complex setting.
• Success in growing external engagement, research income, and global partnerships, ideally including work with energy, infrastructure defence, and/or technology sectors.
• A leadership style that is authentically accountable, collaborative, inclusive and empowering, in alignment with RMIT’s values and the STEM College’s Charter.

The deadline for receipt of applications is midnight on the 24^th of November.

For more information, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with Evelyn Wills at evelyn.wills@societysearch.com to book a confidential conversation.