Job Description

Company Description

Join Curtin College, a dynamic higher education institution and the on-campus pathway to Curtin University. For over 25 years, we have offered more than 60 pathways to undergraduate and postgraduate degrees at Curtin University’s Perth and global campuses.

As part of Navitas’ University Partnerships Australasia Division, Curtin College is home to a dedicated community of international higher education professionals. Navitas is a leading global education provider that has helped generations of learners transform their lives through education. With a workforce of 5,000 and a presence in multiple countries, we deliver an extensive range of educational services to more than 60,000 students each year.

Working at Curtin College means being part of a collaborative community that extends beyond the classroom — connecting educators, student support specialists, and professionals across diverse disciplines, all committed to empowering student success.

Job Description

The College Director and Principal (CDP) reporting to the Chief Operating Officer leads the college in every aspect across the student and college staff journey and is supported by a small Senior Executive Management team of key leaders accountable for each function: marketing and student recruitment, academic leadership and delivery, and student engagement (including student support, quality and compliance, and student administration).

The CDP works closely with colleagues from the Partner University and within Navitas to drive outcomes, and demonstrably develop influential networks and deep relationships that open opportunities and foster collaboration. This role will be accountable for building an inclusive, high-performing and motivating culture that enables staff to develop, contribute, collaborate and thrive.

The CDP owns the business performance of the College and is accountable for the commercial outcomes including revenue, cost and long-term growth. And to drive performance that benefits the College across all measures: student academic outputs and outcomes, student experience, staff experience, Partner University and Navitas relationships, commercial outcomes.

• Lead the staff team – recruit, nurture and develop talent, manage performance, build capability, culture and collaboration. Model, lead and nurture a culture of continual learning and improvement across all aspects of the college: delivery to students, staff culture, commercial outcomes and stakeholder engagement.
• Develop and execute annual plans and long-term strategic approach to relationship-building with the Partner University, Navitas, and other key stakeholders, which leads to demonstrable improvements in commercial opportunities, student experience, staff experience, process efficiency.
• Develop and report against annual budgets, with the support of the College Senior Leadership Team, and the Commercial Finance Manager.
• Closely manage commercial levers to optimize revenue and EBITDA outcomes.
• Routinely review course and program offerings to ensure strong commercial outcomes.
• Routinely prepare and present papers and presentations for the College/ Partner University Joint Management Committee, College’s Governing Board and the Academic Board, and the Strategic Business Review Group, ensuring that these transparently demonstrate performance against targets and inform strategic decision-making.
• Lead the development of regulatory submissions and evaluations – internal or external, and work in collaboration with the Senior Management Teams and Navitas colleagues to build staff capability and understanding of the regulatory framework and its application to College operations.

As well as efficiently, effectively and equitably achieving the key areas above, the College Director and Principal is expected to:

• safely, in accordance with WHS policy and procedures
• Abide by all organizational policies and procedures
• Participate in professional collegiate relationships with College, Partner University and Navitas staff members, students and management
• Participate in performance reviews and planning
• Undertake other duties consistent with the position as required

The CDP and college team liaise with a network of relationships within the Partner University and are supported by specific Navitas Shared Services: Global Student Recruitment, Commercial Finance, HR, IT, Learning and Teaching, Marketing Services and Strategic Insights. A key aspect of the CDP’s role is to effectively draw value from these services to further the unique needs of their College.

The College Director leads, or represents the College in all key leadership and governance groups, and routinely delivers papers and presentations which further the aims of the College:

• College Senior Leadership Group
• College Academic Board
• College Governing Board
• College / Partner University Joint Management Committee
• College / Partner University Strategic Business Review Group
• University Partnerships Australasia Division Senior Leadership Team

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience of educational leadership across multiple functions within a regulated environment.
• Demonstrated ability to strategically develop and nurture complex stakeholder relationships.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and execute on strategy that progresses the College in terms of student experience and outcomes, staff engagement, university relationships, commercial results, and regulatory compliance.
• Demonstrated ability to work “in the grey”, i.e. to lead others positively through uncertainty and change.
• Demonstrated experience of leading and managing others, including the development of effective professional development and performance and talent management leading to measurable positive change for staff and students.
• Demonstrated knowledge of, and commitment to, quality assurance management concepts and issues, with the capacity to apply this knowledge to the accountability of the position.
• Knowledge of and ability to respond to the regulatory framework governing the higher education sector in Australia.
• An understanding of pathway and enabling programs for domestic and international students and their articulation with university courses.
• Sound knowledge of equal opportunity, equity and workplace health and safety principles and ability to implement them at the strategic and operational level.
• Demonstrated experience of leading in a multicultural environment and strong experience of delivering service to international and domestic students.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, and the ability to influence and motivate colleagues, staff and stakeholders at all levels. This will include experience developing and communicating strategy, producing formal papers such as Board papers and presentations to executives, and leading the preparation of regulatory submissions.
• Tertiary qualifications in a relevant discipline; preferably at a postgraduate level.

Special Requirements

• Some interstate and international travel may be required
• Satisfy the requirements of a Fit and Proper Person declaration

Additional Information

About Navitas

Navitas is a leading global education provider that has helped generations of learners transform their lives through education. The Navitas portfolio employs over 5000 staff and, supports over 60,000 students and encompasses a broad selection of partners, locations, and opportunities, including university pathway programs, English language qualifications, employment training, creative media training, and more.

What we can offer

• Collegial and collaborative environment with a commitment to education
• Navitas portfolio career opportunities globally and professional development
• Health & wellbeing benefits which includes support for employees and family
• Corporate discount for Medibank Private and plus other benefits

Diversity Equity and Inclusion

• As part of Navitas, Curtin College promotes and embraces an inclusive and diverse workforce. We believe equality, flexibility, and diversity deliver a rich collaborative environment. We strive to ensure that all our staff – no matter where they are from or who they are – feel safe, supported, and given opportunities to thrive.
• We encourage applications from candidates with disabilities, of all ages and genders, First Nations and Indigenous peoples, and people of diverse community groups.

How to Apply

Applicants are assessed upon receipt, so you are encouraged to apply now. To view other opportunities, please visit navitas.com/careers

All applicants must have full working rights within Australia. Successful candidates will be required to undertake and submit a National Police Check report at their expense.