President and Vice-Chancellor

President and Vice-Chancellor

Lead one of Australias most progressive and influential universities

Deakin University is a globally connected, innovative and future-focused institution committed to transforming lives and communities through excellence in education and research. Ranked among the worlds leading universities, Deakin has built a reputation for educational innovation, industry engagement, outstanding student outcomes and research that delivers meaningful impact locally and globally. The University is recognised as Victorias leading university for student satisfaction and is a pioneer in digital education, lifelong learning and emerging technologies.

Deakin was founded in Geelong in 1974, and that is still where the University sits. It is a regional university with a large metropolitan campus, not a metropolitan university with a regional address, and that shapes who Deakin is for, how it teaches and how it engages with its communities. With campuses in Melbourne, Geelong and Warrnambool, international branch campuses in India and Indonesia, a global network of partners and more than 370,000 alumni worldwide, Deakin combines educational excellence with research impact at scale.

Guided by its strategic ambition to generate ideas that transform lives and communities, Deakin is focused on becoming Australias most progressive and responsive university. Its strategy is centred on leading the sector in digitally enabled education, advancing world-class research and innovation, strengthening industry and community partnerships, and maximising social, cultural and economic impact. The University is investing strongly in artificial intelligence, lifelong learning, employability, research translation and global engagement, ensuring it remains at the forefront of a rapidly evolving higher education landscape.

Reporting to the University Council, the President and Vice-Chancellor will lead the next chapter of Deakins development, building on the Universitys strong foundations while positioning it for continued success in an increasingly complex and competitive environment. The role provides an opportunity to shape institutional strategy, advance academic and research excellence, foster a high-performing and inclusive student and staff culture, and strengthen Deakins reputation and influence nationally and internationally.

The successful candidate will be an exceptional and inspirational leader with experience leading large, complex institutions. They will possess outstanding strategic, commercial and stakeholder engagement capabilities, together with the ability to unite a diverse community of staff, students and other stakeholders around a shared vision and purpose. They will have a strong understanding of and commitment to the Universitys academic mission, including excellence in education, research and engagement, and will bring the credibility and influence required to strengthen relationships across government, industry, philanthropy, the broader community and the global higher education sector.

This is a rare opportunity to lead a university with a strong reputation, clear strategic momentum and a distinctive place within the Australian higher education landscape. The next President and Vice Chancellor will play a defining role in shaping Deakins future and ensuring the University continues to deliver meaningful impact for students, staff, partners and communities around the world.

For a confidential discussion and candidate brochure, please contact Dr Courtenay Atwell at Deakin VC@kornferry.com.

Applications should include a cover letter, a brief response to the selection criteria and a curriculum vitae.

Applications close Wednesday 23 September 2026.

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