Director, Institute for Culture and Society

• Senior Staff Executive Level, full time 5 year fixed term with potential for an underlying continuing academic appointment
• Parramatta South campus with flexible working arrangements
• Competitive Senior level salary plus 17 percent Super and Leave Loading

Lead a globally connected research institute advancing culture, technology and society.

The Opportunity
The Institute for Culture and Society (ICS) is a leading interdisciplinary research institute with a 20 year legacy exploring culture, society, technology and environment. As Director, you will steward this legacy while shaping the next phase of ICS’s strategic direction. You will continue building the Institute’s work across humanities and social sciences, strengthening collaboration with STEM and health, and fostering partnerships across the University and beyond.

ICS is also deeply connected to Western’s transnational education hubs in Vietnam, Indonesia and India, and maintains active research partnerships across Southeast Asia, Latin America, Europe and Oceania. The Director will play a key role in developing the Institute’s global reputation, growing its standing in international rankings and strengthening its network of partnerships.

You will lead the next cycle of strategic planning in a resource constrained environment, setting the agenda for ICS and engaging with industry, government, community partners and philanthropy. This includes actively shaping and responding to the opportunities emerging across Greater Western Sydney, one of Australia’s most dynamic and diverse regions. Working closely with the ICS Operations Committee and senior colleagues, you will ensure the Institute maintains research excellence, financial sustainability and a thriving interdisciplinary culture.

To learn more about the work and members of ICS, explore the ICS website and social media channels here:

• Institute for Culture and Society
• https://www.facebook.com/westsyduics/

What Success Looks Like:

• Delivering a clear strategic agenda that strengthens ICS’s research impact, reputation and partnerships
• Building interdisciplinary research programs spanning humanities and social sciences, and beyond including health and STEM
• Securing competitive and industry linked research funding that enables sustainable research growth
• Cultivating a collaborative and high performing research culture with strong mentoring across career stages
• Ensuring effective governance, communication and resource management across the Institute

Please refer to the Position Description for full details.

About You

• Recognised international research profile supported by strong publications, grants and networks
• Demonstrated ability to lead interdisciplinary research teams across diverse fields
• Capacity to set strategic vision, guide organisational planning and enable long term research sustainability
• Strong leadership capability including mentoring, workforce development and performance management
• Commitment to equity, Indigenous advancement and research impact beyond academia

Benefits
We invest in the people who make our mission possible. Beyond a rewarding career, we offer a suite of benefits designed to support your physical, financial, and family wellbeing:

• Fitness Passport: Access hundreds of gyms and pools across the state through salary-packaging options.
• Onsite Childcare: Convenient facilities with exclusive staff discounts and salary packaging options.
• Financial Benefits: Salary sacrifice options for onsite parking and novated motor vehicle leasing,
• Holistic Support: Free Employee Assistance Program (EAP) along with discounted retail and private health cover.

Application Details

• Position Enquiries: Direct to Professor Deborah Sweeney, Provost via d.sweeney@westernsydney.edu.au. Please include the job reference code REF1114T. 
• Closing Date: 11:59pm, Tuesday 14 April 2026.
• Working Rights: Employer Visa sponsorship will be provided if required.
• How to Apply: Please note that only applications submitted via the University’s online recruitment system will be considered.

Applications for the position should include the following:

• Full Academic Curriculum Vitae
• Candidate Statement
• Referee details
• Date of Commencement

CURRICULUM VITAE

• Details of positions held, including dates, details of your present position, and key achievements.
• Details of education, professional training and qualifications (and dates of degree completion).
• Research Activity Statement, including details of your research track record, such as external income, research outputs, and outcomes.
• Evidence of the delivery of innovative teaching and world-class research.
• Any other relevant information, such as contributions to professional associations and learned societies, community activities, awards and other recognitions of esteem.

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​CANDIDATE STATEMENT
A brief statement (no more than five pages) outlining your vision for the role and what you would expect to accomplish in the role, reflecting on your experience and skills as it relates to the selection criteria found in the Position Description.

REFEREES

• Full contact details of three referees that we may contact.
• Candidates should state their relationship to the referees and why they have been nominated to speak on the candidate’s behalf.
• Referees will only be contacted after prior consultation with the candidate.

DATE OF COMMENCEMENT

• An indication of the earliest date on which you could commence in the position.
• Applicants should provide a confidential email address and suitable daytime and evening telephone contact details (including mobile), and details of their availability during this period.

Belonging at Western
We are committed to substantive equality as outlined in our Equal Opportunity Policy. We actively encourage applications from Indigenous Australians, candidates of all gender identities and expressions, people of all abilities, and those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

For Reasonable Adjustments during the application process, please contact talentacquisitionteam@westernsydney.edu.au.

About ICS and Western Sydney University
We are delighted to introduce you to Western Sydney University, a global university in the heart of one of Australia’s most dynamic and important regions. Our new Director, Institute Culture and Society (ICS) will join this anchor institution as we embark on an exciting new phase of amplifying our research impact, building our partnerships, growing our global footprint, reinvigorating our teaching, and establishing one of the country’s most distinct centres of Indigenous culture, research and education.

Western Sydney University is more than a university; it is part of the community. The University’s values of boldness, excellence, integrity, fairness, and trust reflect those of Western Sydney through its diversity, youthfulness, and aspiration.

At Western, we are driven to ensure impactful research that will match our teaching excellence, drive advancements for the region, nation, and global communities as well as promote equity and sustainability. Through our research we seek to attract partnerships and investment, and support the development of new industries, skills and capabilities. Our mission, outlined in our WESTERN 2030 strategic plan, is to deliver student success, impactful research and stronger communities.

For the latest please visit our website and LinkedIn.