Professor in Social Work

University of New England, NSW

Lead and shape the future of Social Work education

Drive research excellence and community engagement

Continuing, full-time leadership role with an attractive salary package

Acknowledgement of Country

The University of New England (UNE) is seeking an accomplished academic to take on the role of Professor in Social Work and Discipline Lead within the Faculty of Medicine and Health. This is a unique opportunity to influence the future of Social Work education and research in a dynamic regional university with a global reach.

As Discipline Lead, you will provide vision and strategic direction for Social Work, advancing excellence in teaching, research, and professional practice. You will play a key role in curriculum leadership, the scholarship of learning and teaching, and in driving impactful research outcomes. Building strong partnerships with local, national and international communities, you will ensure UNE’s Social Work discipline continues to grow its reputation for innovation, impact, and engagement.

You will:

Provide academic leadership in Social Work, shaping curriculum, research, and professional engagement.

Lead and inspire staff, fostering a collegial and inclusive culture focused on collaboration, wellbeing, and excellence.

Build strong partnerships with industry, government, and community to strengthen research impact and student outcomes.

Mentor and support staff development, contributing to a high-performing and future-ready academic community.

Contribute to UNE’s strategic goals, quality assurance, and accreditation requirements.

Promote ethical and innovative approaches in teaching, research, and practice.

About You
You are an accomplished academic leader in Social Work with a distinguished record of teaching excellence, research achievement, and professional engagement. You bring significant experience in shaping the academic direction of a discipline, driving innovation in teaching and curriculum, and leading high-performing teams. Your ability to build strong partnerships, advocate for the profession, and deliver impactful research will be key to your success.

You will embody the UNE values and strive to be Kind, Bold, Connected and Accountable. Additionally, you will be committed to achieving the goals embedded in the Future Fit Strategic Plan 2021-2030.

About the Faculty

The Faculty of Medicine and Health offers innovative degree programs across a range of disciplines and professions, underpinned by the University's commitment to providing excellent teaching, outstanding learning facilities and a first-rate student learning experience. The Faculty includes three Schools: The School of Health, the School of Rural Medicine and the School of Psychology. Further information can be found on the website at Faculty of Medicine and Health. .

About UNE

The University of New England (UNE) is a regionally based, globally networked university renowned for the quality of its student experience and the excellence of its research specialisations. It stands as a beacon of innovation, with a legacy stretching back to the 1950s when it became Australia’s first provider of distance learning. Today, UNE continues to redefine remote learning through cutting-edge programs and a deeply student-centred approach.

UNE’s education model combines unrivalled experience with modern, flexible delivery, ideal for students juggling life, work, or remote locations. With a library of over 200 courses, robust support systems, and a recognised track record for quality, UNE offers more than access to education, it offers a future‑focused learning journey designed for success in a rapidly evolving world.

UNE emphasises its people, staff and students' growth and development. We aspire to be a leader in innovation and change and a centre for the Armidale and the North-West communities.

Equity, diversity and inclusion are central to the core values of UNE, and we are committed to engaging, supporting and growing a richly diverse workforce. From the Oorala Aboriginal Centre at the heart of our campus, to the inclusive organisations such as the UNE Ally Network, the UNE Women’s Society, and the many international cultural groups - all will feel valued and respected at UNE.

Additional Information

· $209,591per annum (Level E), plus 17% employer superannuation

· Salary packaging options are available)

· Armidale, Sydney or Tamworth based role

· 20 days family and domestic violence leave available per annum

· 20 days gender affirmation leave per annum

· 10 days Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural and ceremonial leave per annum

· 4 weeks annual leave plus Christmas week shutdown, per annum

· Relocation assistance provided

· Travel to other campuses will be required

· This position will be open to sponsorship

Enquiries

For a confidential discussion, please contact Terri Ward, Principal Towardco, on 0447 667 439 or email: [email protected]

To Apply

Quoting UNEPSW11428 in the subject line, please submit your application to Terri Ward at [email protected]

Your application should be comprised of:

Covering letter no longer than two pages.

Responses to selection criteria

Current CV.

Commitment to Inclusion and Diversity

UNE is committed to building a diverse workforce and strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Australians, people with disability, people from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, mature age workers and LGBTQIA+ people.

About Our Process

At UNE, we are committed to employing individuals who meet the requirements of this role and align with our values. All applicants will be contacted and advised of an outcome. The successful candidate will be required to undertake pre-employment checks prior to commencing in this role as indicated in the position statement. Please visit our Privacy Statement to understand how your information is collected, stored, accessed and used.

National Police Check

If you are the successful candidate for this role you will be required to provide UNE with a National Police Check prior to your commencement. Please note that people with criminal records are NOT automatically barred from applying for this position (unless there is a particular requirement under law).