Head of School (International) China opportunity
Permanent, full-time
This is a significant international leadership opportunity based in Xiangtan, Hunan Province, China. Your office will be located at Hunan Institute of Engineering, where you will work alongside our Chinese partners while maintaining strong connections with Otago Polytechnic teams in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Mō te tūraka mahi | About the role
The Head of School (International) provides academic, operational and people leadership for Otago Polytechnic programmes delivered through the Joint Institute with Hunan Institute of Engineering.
Working across two institutions, cultures and education systems, you will ensure programmes are delivered effectively, consistently and to Otago Polytechnic standards.
You will lead the day-to-day delivery of Joint Institute programmes, oversee academic quality and continuous improvement, and ensure offshore delivery meets relevant Otago Polytechnic and New Zealand regulatory requirements.
You will work closely with Hunan Institute of Engineering leadership and staff, Otago Polytechnic Heads of School and academic teams, International, Academic Excellence, Student Support Services and other key stakeholders.
As Otago Polytechnic’s appointed Vice Dean within the Joint Institute, you will represent OP’s interests and contribute to its leadership and governance.
Key responsibilities include:
- leading the implementation and delivery of Joint Institute programmes
- providing operational leadership across Otago Polytechnic and Hunan Institute of Engineering
- leading academic quality assurance, evaluation and continuous improvement
- supporting high-quality learning experiences and outcomes for ākonga
- overseeing student administration and recruitment logistics
- providing people leadership for OP student administration staff
- managing student concerns, complaints and escalations
- identifying and managing academic, operational and regulatory risks
- contributing to international growth, programme positioning and recruitment outcomes
- supporting reporting to OP leadership and the Joint Management Committee
- ensuring effective communication across academic, administrative and international teams.
This is not a role managed from New Zealand at a distance. You will live and work in Xiangtan, becoming part of the day-to-day leadership of the Joint Institute while remaining closely connected with colleagues across Otago Polytechnic. Candidates should carefully consider whether an extended period living and working internationally suits them.
Ko wai koe | About you
You will be an experienced tertiary education leader, fluent in spoken and written English and Mandarin, who can operate confidently in a complex international environment where strong relationships, sound judgement and cultural humility matter.
You will bring:
- tertiary education leadership or academic operational management experience
- experience in transnational or international education
- programme delivery and quality assurance experience
- people leadership and team management experience
- strong stakeholder and partnership management skills
- the ability to work effectively across organisational and cultural settings
- excellent communication and relationship management skills
- excellent spoken and written English and Mandarin, enabling you to act as a communication bridge between Otago Polytechnic and Hunan Institute of Engineering
- budget or resource management experience
- a relevant bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
- knowledge of NZQA requirements and the Education (Pastoral Care of Tertiary and International Learners) Code of Practice 2021
- an understanding of transnational education and offshore delivery models such as 3+1 and 4+0.
Ideally, you will also have:
- knowledge of the Chinese higher education system and regulatory environment
- experience in a joint institute or international education partnership
- previous experience working in China
- an understanding of learning platforms and digital delivery
- a postgraduate qualification
- experience studying outside China in an English-speaking country.
You will be adaptable, collaborative and comfortable working with a high level of autonomy while building strong relationships in both China and New Zealand.
Curiosity and cultural humility will be equally important. Success requires understanding different perspectives and finding ways of working that honour our partnership commitments while protecting academic quality and the learner experience.
You will also uphold Otago Polytechnic’s commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and continue developing your understanding of what these obligations mean within your leadership practice, including when representing Otago Polytechnic internationally.
Tono ināianei | Apply now
For a position description or to apply, click on the application link
For specific information about the position, contact francesca.brown@op.ac.nz.
Applications will be review as they are received. so don't delay submitting your application
Applications for this role will take you to the advertisers site.