Head of School, School of Life and Environmental Sciences

The University of Sydney seeks a Head of School for the School of Life and Environmental Sciences. This leadership role involves shaping research and education strategies, managing curriculum design, and ensuring alignment with university objectives. The position is a four-year fixed-term appointment based in Sydney, requiring strong research credentials and cross-disciplinary experience. The school serves nearly 2,000 undergraduates and focuses on diverse fields like agriculture, ecology, and molecular biosciences.
• Lead a world-class, multi-disciplinary School of Life and Environmental Sciences at one of Australia's leading research-intensive universities.
• Shape research and education strategy across one of Australia's most diverse and influential schools spanning environmental, agricultural and molecular biosciences
• Opportunity to shape the School of Life and Environmental Sciences strategic direction at one of Australia's leading universities, ranked 18th globally
• 4 year fixed-term with continuing underlying appointment and competitive remuneration package with research support provided.

As Australia's first university, founded in 1850, The University of Sydney has established itself as one of the world's leading institutions of higher education and research. Currently ranked 18th globally by the QS World University Rankings, the University's influence extends across its 74,000-strong student body and a global alumni network of more than 440,000 graduates in over 170 countries.

Comprising eight schools that span a diverse range of scientific disciplines, the School of Life and Environmental Sciences (SOLES) is a vibrant and multidisciplinary community that brings together researchers in the life, earth and environmental sciences to enhance capacity in both research and teaching. Uniquely complex and diverse, SOLES was formed from the merger of Agriculture, Biological Sciences, and Molecular Biosciences, and operates across multiple campuses including Camperdown, Camden, and Narrabri.

With a substantial student cohort of nearly 2,000 undergraduate and more than 300 postgraduate students, SOLES is organised into three research and teaching clusters, Agriculture & Food, Ecology, Evolution and Conservation and Molecules, Cells and Organisms, each led by theme leads. The School embraces disciplines ranging from animal health, agriculture and food to molecular biology, creating a rich and rewarding environment for cross-disciplinary collaboration and innovation.

About the opportunity

Reporting directly to the Dean of Science, the Head of School, Life and Environmental Sciences is an integral member of the Faculty Leadership Group. The successful candidate will contribute to overall faculty strategy while leading and implementing strategic and operational plans at the school level, with responsibility for teaching, learning and research outcomes across SOLES' diverse fields of inquiry.

This position holds substantial responsibility for curriculum design and delivery, research and education strategy development, resource management, talent development, and external engagement. The Head of School will ensure alignment between school activities and faculty objectives, university policies, and external standards, while managing the school budget and maintaining financial sustainability.

The role requires a leader who can embody and enable the University's values in relation to its people and culture, creating an environment that fosters excellence, innovation, and collaboration across the School's geographically dispersed campuses and diverse academic community.

About you (skills, capabilities and experience)

You will bring strong research credibility into this role. Cross-disciplinary experience is highly valued, as is evidence of previously holding competitive research grants and leading significant academic and research programs.

With a PhD in an academic field relevant to the School, your leadership will be characterised by strong governance, delegation capabilities, and a demonstrated ability to manage complex academic environments. Financial and operational management experience will be essential, as will a demonstrated understanding of and ability to lead academic endeavours from curriculum design to producing leading research and providing a student-enabling environment.

You will have in-depth knowledge and understanding of key strategic issues in the higher education sector, along with proven experience in people leadership and management. Your established relationships with key academic, industry and professional institutions will be valuable in enhancing the standing and reputation of the School of Life and Environmental Sciences, the Faculty of Science, and the University more broadly.

Term and remuneration

The term of the appointment is four years on a full-time basis with a competitive remuneration package commensurate with the responsibilities of the position and the candidate's relevant experience and qualifications. The successful candidate will also be offered a professorial appointment in an appropriate discipline in the school and will retain that position at the conclusion of their headship.

Pre-employment checks

Your employment is conditional upon the completion of all role required pre-employment or background checks in terms satisfactory to the University. Similarly, your ongoing employment is conditional upon the satisfactory maintenance of all relevant clearances and background check requirements. If you do not meet these conditions, the University may take any necessary step, including the termination of your employment.

EEO statement

At the University of Sydney, our shared values are trust, accountability and excellence and we strive to be a place where everyone can thrive. We are committed to creating a University community that thrives through diversity and reflects the wider community that we serve. We deliver on this through our commitment to diversity and inclusion, evidenced by our people and culture programs, as well as key strategies to increase participation and support the careers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, women, people living with a disability, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and those who identify as LGBTIQ+. We welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds.

We are proud to be recognised as an Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI) Gold employer. Find out more about our work on diversity and inclusion.

How to apply

Applications (including a CV and cover letter outlining how your skills, capabilities and experience meet the requirements for the role) can be submitted via the Apply button at the top of the page. Please refer to the candidate information brochure and position description for further details.

Click to view the Candidate Information Brochure for this role.

Click to view the Position Description for this role.

For employees of the University or contingent workers, please login into your Workday account and navigate to the Career icon on your Dashboard. Click on USYD Find Jobs and apply.

Devereaux Consulting is supporting The University of Sydney with the search for the next Head of School, Life and Environmental Sciences. For a confidential conversation or to request the candidate prospectus, please contact Jackie Besley, Managing Partner, Devereaux Consulting on +61 413 633 195 or email SOLES@devereauxconsulting.com

© The University of Sydney

The University reserves the right not to proceed with any appointment.