Director, Academic Innovation

Laurus Education is seeking an exceptional and strategically minded Director, Academic Innovation to lead the evolution of our academic model across Higher Education (HE), Vocational Education and Training (VET) and ELICOS.

About the Role

As Director, Academic Innovation, you will lead enterprise-wide curriculum strategy, course portfolio development, pedagogical frameworks and learning design capability. You will oversee the development of scalable, high-quality academic products and digital learning environments that support strong student outcomes, workforce relevance and institutional growth.

This role is ideal for a strategic thinker who combines academic credibility with strong commercial awareness, digital fluency and a passion for educational innovation.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development and evolution of Laurus Education’s course portfolio across HE, VET and ELICOS

• Identify new program opportunities, pathways and innovative product offerings

• Align academic products with workforce demand, student outcomes and commercial strategy

• Provide strategic advice on course viability, positioning and portfolio growth

• Establish enterprise-wide curriculum architecture and assessment frameworks

• Ensure scalable and consistent design standards across all delivery modes and campuses

• Embed employability, industry relevance and real-world capability development into curriculum design.

• Lead course accreditation and regulatory submissions for TEQSA and ASQA

• Ensure compliance with HESF, Standards for RTOs 2025, CRICOS, ESOS and relevant professional standards

• Partner with Risk, Quality and Compliance teams to maintain regulator-ready academic products.

• Define and evolve LE's pedagogical frameworks across HE and VET

• Drive innovation in online, blended and technology-enhanced learning

• Lead development of microcredentials, stackable pathways and emerging learning models

• Champion AI-enabled learning and future-focused education practices

• Provide enterprise leadership of learning design and LMS architecture

• Oversee instructional design standards and digital learning quality frameworks

• Leverage learning analytics and emerging technologies to improve curriculum and student engagement.

• Ensure programs remain current, viable, compliant and strategically aligned

• Work collaboratively across Commercial and Operations portfolios to support successful program launches.

• Ensure curriculum reflects workforce needs, professional standards and graduate employability outcomes

• Lead and develop a high-performing academic innovation and learning design team

• Contribute to enterprise-wide academic strategy and executive decision-making

• Provide expert advice on academic innovation, curriculum strategy and emerging education trends

About You

You are an experienced and credible academic leader who combines operational strength with a strong commitment to student outcomes and teaching excellence.

You will bring:

• Significant senior academic leadership experience within HE and/or VET, plus regulated education environments.

• Proven experience leading curriculum strategy, accreditation and academic innovation

• Strong knowledge of TEQSA, HESF, ASQA Standards for RTOs 2025, CRICOS and ESOS requirements

• Experience overseeing LMS architecture, learning design and digital education capability

• Strong commercial awareness and the ability to balance innovation with operational and regulatory requirements

• Exceptional stakeholder engagement and leadership capability.

• Significant senior academic leadership experience in regulated education environments

• Demonstrated experience leading curriculum development, academic quality and innovation initiatives.Qualification or equivalent experience in instructional design, learning technology or curriculum architecture

Nice to have (but not essential) :

• Doctoral qualification (PhD or equivalent)

• TAE40116, TAE50216 or equivalent vocational teaching qualification

• Experience across both Higher Education and VET sectors

• Familiarity with ELICOS and international education frameworks.

Why Join Us?
This is your chance to contribute to the success of a bold new vision in higher education. At Laurus Education, you’ll have the opportunity to help shape programs, culture, and graduate outcomes from the ground up—while making a meaningful difference in the lives of students and the children they educate.

For any questions, feel free to reach out at Dennise Loyo on 03 •••• •838 or at ••••@lauruseducation.com.au

**Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.