Associate Dean Research & Innovation

What’s the job? 
The Associate Dean Research & Innovation (Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School) provides strategic and operational leadership for research, innovation, research training, industry-partnered research, and external engagement within the school and facilitates working relationships with research centres and institutes in line with university strategy and enterprise objectives. 

Working closely with the Dean of School and the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research & Innovation, the role is responsible for developing and implementing the School’s Research & Innovation Plan in alignment with Torrens University Australia’s broader strategy, mission differentiation, regulatory obligations, and national research priorities. 

The role supports the growth of a high-quality, applied, industry-engaged and impact-focused research culture. It will help build research capability, improve research performance, strengthen external partnerships, support Higher Degree by Research activity, grow research income, and ensure research activity contributes meaningfully to student experience, industry engagement, social impact, and the University’s reputation as a university for the real world. 

While the role is School-based, the Associate Dean Research & Innovation is expected to contribute actively to university-wide research strategy, policy, governance, performance improvement, and cross-School and cross-centre collaboration. 
 
Principle accountabilities: 

• Strategic Leadership & Planning - Provide strategic leadership to shape and deliver the School's Research & Innovation strategy, driving research excellence, collaboration, innovation, and alignment with the University's strategic priorities. 

• Operational Management - Lead the implementation of the School's research and innovation plan, supporting research capability, Higher Degree by Research (HDR) activity, external funding, research performance, and continuous improvement. 

• Research Quality, Performance & Governance - Champion a high-performing research culture by strengthening research quality, integrity, governance, compliance, and performance while enhancing the School's national and international reputation. 

• Innovation, Industry Engagement & External Partnerships - Build and strengthen partnerships with industry, government, and the community to expand research impact, foster innovation, and create meaningful opportunities for collaboration and external engagement. 

• Leadership & People Development - Lead and develop a high-performing, collaborative team by driving capability, workforce planning, performance, engagement, and a culture of innovation, inclusion, accountability, and continuous improvement. 

To read more about the role please click here to View job description.  

This is a permanent position with hybrid working arrangements. 

Who you are:  

• A doctoral qualification or equivalent, preferably in tourism, hospitality or business 

• Significant track record of leadership in tertiary education including contribution to education policy, processes, governance and research 

• Experience in leading research and innovation within an academic or business environment 

• Demonstrated track record of contributions to teaching and learning and an intellectual leadership in a defined discipline area  

• Experience in developing, leading and managing high performance teams 

• Demonstrated national reputation 

We encourage career growth and internal mobility: 
As we continue to establish ourselves as a truly global university, we never lose sight of our people-centric approach. Hiring internally, we support professional development, career advancement and personal aspirations to make your working life at Torrens Global Education Services (TUA/Think Education/MDS) a more rewarding experience. Recognising the talent and contributions of our employees, we’ve built a culture that celebrates community, collaboration and innovation, where people love what they do. 

Hiring process 
We aim to provide you with the necessary information you need at each stage of this process to put your best self forward. Should you have accessibility requirements or needs please contact [email protected] for confidential support to ensure an equitable, barrier free application process as we have a Reasonable Adjustment Procedure in place to support you through the recruitment process. 

Applications close: 2nd August 2026 
Job reference: R30724