Director, Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment

• Senior Staff Executive Level, full time 5 year fixed term with potential for an underlying continuing academic appointment
• Hawkesbury campus
• Competitive Senior level salary plus 17% Super and Leave Loading

Lead a world‑leading research institute driving environmental and agricultural science.

The Opportunity

The Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment (HIE) is a world‑leading environmental research institute recognised for impactful research across Smart and Sustainable Horticulture, Soil Biology and Genomics, Plants, Animals and their interactions, Ecosystem Function and Integration and Bushfire Research. As Director, you will direct and lead the Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, shaping its strategic direction and strengthening its contribution to national and international research.

You will oversee and guide the Institute’s research agenda, research training environment, partnership development, and its operational and financial performance. This includes building capability, fostering cross‑disciplinary collaboration, mentoring early and mid‑career researchers, and ensuring the Institute continues to produce high‑quality research outcomes. You will play a key role in attracting external research funding, strengthening strategic alliances with government, industry and community organisations, and building research networks with Australian and international partners.

Reporting to the Provost, your leadership will ensure the Institute remains cohesive, forward‑looking and impactful, while maintaining strong alignment with Western Sydney University’s research strategy and institutional priorities.

What Success Looks Like:

• A clear strategic direction that strengthens HIE’s research excellence and profile.
• Growth in partnerships, collaboration networks, research income and external engagement.
• A strong research culture supported by mentoring, development and cohesion.
• Effective leadership of research training, supervision and high‑quality academic activity.
• Sound operational, financial and governance performance aligned with goals.

Please refer to the Position Description for full details.

About You

• A PhD in a relevant discipline and an international reputation for research excellence.
• Demonstrated success in leading research teams, securing competitive funding and developing research networks.
• Experience directing organisational strategy, research programs and resource management.
• Highly developed communication, negotiation and stakeholder engagement capability.
• Commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration and building a collegial research community.

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. Please include the job reference code REF1114T.
• Closing Date: 11:59pm, Friday 17 April
• 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:

1. Full Academic Curriculum Vitae
2. Candidate Statement
3. Referee details
4. 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 [email protected].

About Western
This is your opportunity to be part of something bigger. By joining Western Sydney University, you become a valued member of our community. As our region changes, so too does our university. Western is boldly different, energetic, global, diverse, dynamic, and youthful.

Our mission is to deliver student success, impactful research, and stronger communities. As part of our team, you will have a stake in shaping the future of education, broadening horizons, and changing lives. Making a difference starts at Western.

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