Korn Ferry has partnered with our client on their search for Curtin University - Head of School (Education)
Head of School – Education
Faculty of Humanities | Curtin University
Curtin University is seeking an exceptional academic leader to become the next Head of School, Education.
Within the Faculty of Humanities, the School of Education prepares future educators, educational leaders and lifelong learners to thrive in an increasingly complex and rapidly changing world. The School's programs sit within, and are shaped by, Australia's national and state teacher regulatory architecture — and the next Head of School must be someone who knows that system from the inside, not only as a matter of compliance but as a matter of professional conviction.
This is a leadership role for someone who has stood in front of a class, who understands what it takes to prepare a graduate to meet the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers, and who can carry that understanding into the governance of an accredited Initial Teacher Education (ITE) provider operating under national standards and state-based regulatory authority.
The Opportunity
Reporting to the Pro Vice-Chancellor, Faculty of Humanities, the Head of School will provide strategic, academic and operational leadership to a diverse community of academics, professional staff and students.
The successful candidate will lead the School through its next phase of growth and impact, with particular responsibility for maintaining and strengthening the School's standing as an accredited ITE provider under the Teacher Registration Board of Western Australia (TRBWA) and the national framework administered through the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL). This is not a peripheral compliance function — it is central to the School's licence to operate, its reputation with the teaching profession, and its relationships with schools, systems and employers across Western Australia.
This role offers the opportunity to:
- Shape the future direction of a School central to Curtin's vision for Learning Futures, grounded in a genuine understanding of classroom practice.
- Lead the School's ongoing ITE accreditation obligations with confidence and credibility, engaging directly and knowledgeably with TRBWA, AITSL's national Accreditation Standards and Procedures, and the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers.
- Inspire and develop high-performing academic and professional teams, including those responsible for accreditation, professional experience placements and regulatory reporting.
- Enhance the School's research profile and impact, with particular value placed on practice-based research that grows out of classroom teaching and educational practice.
- Strengthen relationships with government, sector regulators, schools, systems, professional bodies and community partners.
- Drive innovation in educational practice, curriculum design and student experience, informed by direct knowledge of what happens in Australian classrooms.
- Contribute to the strategic leadership of one of Australia's leading global universities.
About You
You are a respected and accomplished academic leader with deep, first-hand knowledge of the Australian school education system and the regulatory framework that governs entry to the teaching profession. You are as comfortable discussing the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers and the mechanics of ITE accreditation as you are setting a research agenda.
The ideal candidate will demonstrate:
- A doctoral qualification in a relevant discipline, together with a substantial personal history in classroom teaching and a genuine appreciation of the craft, demands and realities of the profession.
- Deep and current knowledge of Australia's teacher registration and ITE accreditation system — including AITSL's national Accreditation Standards and Procedures, the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers, and the role and requirements of state and territory Teacher Regulatory Authorities, particularly the Teacher Registration Board of Western Australia (TRBWA).
- A track record of leading, or working closely with, ITE accreditation processes — able to engage directly and credibly with regulators, accreditation panels and government on matters of program standards, professional experience requirements and graduate outcomes.
- A well-developed understanding of practice-based research arising from classroom teaching, and a commitment to research that is generated by, and answerable to, the realities of educational practice rather than research conducted at a distance from it.
- A distinguished record of academic achievement and leadership, and experience leading and developing high-performing teams in complex, regulated environments.
- The ability to articulate and execute a compelling strategic vision, with strong financial, operational and organisational leadership capability.
- A commitment to excellence in learning and teaching, research and engagement, and outstanding stakeholder engagement and relationship-building skills across schools, systems, sector bodies and government.
- A demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging, and the ability to build meaningful partnerships that enhance educational impact and opportunity.
Why Curtin?
Curtin is a globally recognised university ranked among the world's leading institutions and renowned for its industry connections, impactful research and commitment to student success. The University's values of integrity, respect, courage, excellence and impact underpin everything it does.
Joining Curtin offers the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to the future of education, and to the integrity of the profession's entry pathway, while working within a supportive, ambitious and globally connected institution committed to making tomorrow better.
How to Apply
Applications should include a current curriculum vitae and a cover letter outlining your interest in the role and demonstrating how your experience and leadership approach align with the opportunity — including your experience of classroom teaching, of ITE accreditation and teacher registration systems, and of practice-based educational research. Applications should be submitted via email to HOSEducation@kornferry.com
Closing date: 6 August 2026, 11:59pm
Contact: Grace Tan & Caitlin Pang, Korn Ferry
SE: 510799239
