Head of School - School of Allied Health, Sport and Social Work

Acknowledgement of Country

Griffith University acknowledges the people who are the traditional custodians of the land and pays respect to the Elders, past and present, and extends that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Griffith University’s campuses are based on the lands of the Yugarabul, Yuggera, Jagera, Turrbal, Yugambeh and Kombumerri peoples.

Here, you can make it matter

Ranked in the top 2% of universities world-wide, Griffith is well known for its values, outstanding student experience, high impact research, commitment to social justice and a welcoming environment which values excellence, equity, diversity, and innovation. As Griffith approaches its 50th anniversary in 2025, we remain steadfast in being a leading university of influence and impact.

Griffith University values diversity, inclusion and flexibility and we encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and people of all backgrounds, to apply. If you’re looking for a supportive environment where you can accelerate your career, search our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion page.

Professor Carolyn Evans, Vice Chancellor and President

What makes Griffith a great place to work?

At Griffith, you’ll find a community that is built on values.

Excellence

We believe excellence should have impact. It’s why we’re here. We strive for the highest possible standards in teaching and research, while ensuring we create positive effects for our communities.

Culture

Our people thrive in a culture of support and inclusivity, united by a shared purpose. We bring together exceptional thinkers from diverse disciplines to tackle the greatest challenges of our time.

Opportunity

Griffith was created to be a different kind of university. We’re proud of our past, but we understand that true progress comes from challenging the status quo. That’s why we’re excited for what we’re building next.

Ranked in the top 2% of universities worldwide

50000+ students, 4000+ staff, 200+ degree, 200000+ graduates

5 physical campuses and a growing digital campus

Highest rating well above world standard in 24 specific fields of research

At a glance

Ranked in the top 2% of universities globally

Range of subjects ranked in the world’s top 200

Research rated at world standard or above in more than 50 disciplines

Highly regarded as a young university, ranked in the top 50 under 50

Griffith Health

Griffith Health is one of Australia’s largest and most diverse health faculties, recognised for innovation and excellence in education and research. Comprising five schools, it is ranked Australia’s top university for Nursing and Midwifery (2025 Shanghai Global Ranking) and for overall experience in Pharmacy (2025 Good Universities Guide) and holds a five star QS rating for graduate employability. With strong industry and community partnerships, practice oriented programs and more than 2,000 clinical placements many linked to the Gold Coast University Hospital, Griffith Health delivers high impact learning and research across south east Queensland.

School of Allied Health, Sport and Social Work

The School of Allied Health, Sport and Social Work is a leader in person centred education, research and clinical practice, offering high quality programs that prepare career ready global citizens. With strong links to industry, government and community, students learn from experts while gaining hands on experience through state of the art Griffith Health Clinics, which provide services in exercise physiology, nutrition and dietetics, physiotherapy, speech pathology and social work. The School is also deeply engaged in cutting edge research that shapes new models of healthcare and responds to emerging community needs, creating a dynamic environment where education, research and real world impact come together.

About the role

The Head of School – School of Allied Health, Sport and Social Work is a hands on academic leadership role responsible for driving the School’s strategic direction while actively overseeing its operational performance. The position requires a leader who is highly competent in managing complex budgets and financial resources, ensuring the School’s sustainability and growth. You will champion excellence in teaching, learning and research, guide high performing academic teams, and cultivate a collaborative, student centred culture.

Working closely with an experienced executive team, you will shape high quality programs, strengthen research outcomes, and build strong internal and external partnerships. This role suits an accomplished academic leader who thrives on direct engagement with staff, operational decision making, and fostering an environment where people and programs excel.

This is a three-year appointment based at the Gold Coast campus, with responsibilities across multiple Griffith University sites. The successful candidate will also receive an underlying Professorial appointment.

About you

You are a hands‑on, high impact academic leader ready to guide a strong School through its next phase of growth. You excel in elevating teaching quality, strengthening research culture and advancing professional practice, while fostering a safe, positive and high performing environment for staff and students.

You bring deep academic credibility, a PhD, and substantial leadership experience within a complex university setting. Critically, you pair this with strategic financial capability, enabling you to manage budgets, allocate resources effectively and support the School’s long‑term sustainability.

Your leadership is ethical, values driven and collaborative, allowing you to influence stakeholders, build strong partnerships and enable people and programs to thrive.

Position description

How to apply

To learn more about this unique leadership role, please contact Professor Analise O’Donovan, Pro Vice Chancellor (Health) via email pvchealth@griffith.edu.au.

For application and recruitment advice, please contact Maria Mahon, Talent Acquisition Partner, via email m.mahon@griffith.edu.au.

Applications will be submitted via the Griffith University website.

Applications close Monday 11th May.

Our university

For almost 50 years, Griffith has been proudly doing things differently. Our people have challenged convention, adapting and innovating to pioneer solutions ahead of our time. Here, you’ll find high-impact research, outstanding student experiences and a genuine commitment to social justice, inclusivity and sustainability.

Ratings and rankings

Griffith ranks among the world's best universities.

Ranked in the top 2% of universities globally

Range of subjects ranked in the world’s top 200

Research rated at world standard or above in more than 50 disciplines

Highly regarded as a young university, ranked in the top 50 under 50

Since opening in 1975, Griffith has grown from one campus and 451 students to become a comprehensive, multi-campus institution, with 50,000 students and more than 200,000 graduates.

Griffith was created to be a different kind of university—one that challenges convention, adapts and innovates, creates bold new trends and pioneers solutions ahead of their time. Today, we are known for our high-impact research, outstanding student experience, commitment to social justice and our welcoming environment, and rank among the top 2 per cent of universities worldwide.

For over 40 years, we have been deeply connected to the Asia-Pacific, socially conscious and environmentally aware. We introduced Australia’s first degrees in a range of important areas, including modern Asian studies and environmental science, and we are a recognised leader in online education, having offered award-winning online programs for nearly 20 years.

We also understand that education isn’t static—on the contrary, we know that new forms of teaching and learning will be needed in future to help people build the skills necessary to thrive in uncertain times. That’s why our high-quality degrees are specifically designed to prepare students for the future, developed in consultation with industry, based on cutting-edge research, and taught by some of Australia’s most highly awarded teachers.

We’ve never lost sight of our progressive beginnings, and everything we do—from education to research and community engagement—is designed to not only meet but improve the new world our students, graduates and communities will encounter, and create a more just and equitable future for everyone.

Griffith places, spaces and communities

At Griffith, it’s not just about the work you do and how you do it—it’s also about where you’ll make your impact. Spanning three cities in South East Queensland, our campuses each offer a place for our people to connect and collaborate. From the city to the beach and the bush, you’ll find spectacular environments and vibrant lifestyles. We also have thriving digital spaces, allowing our staff and students to work together on and off campus.

Our campuses