Dean of Faculty of Law

FACULTY OF LAW/TE KAUPEKA TĀTAI TURE 

• Unique opportunity to shape the future of legal education in Aotearoa, New Zealand
• Situated in the beautiful and culturally rich city of Dunedin. 

The University of Otago | Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka has been a renowned place of learning and discovery for more than 150 years. 

We are currently seeking a visionary and strategic leader to become our new Dean/ Manutaki for the Faculty of Law/Te Kaupeka Tātai Ture. In this role you will be advancing the Faculty’s commitment to excellence in teaching, learning and legal research for which it has become renowned. 

Otago was the first University to teach Law in Aotearoa New Zealand, beginning in 1873. The Faculty has a long history of excellence and is a leader in legal research in New Zealand, with strong links to international research networks. Otago's legal research community consists of top-quality academics and postgraduate students from New Zealand and overseas, with a strong record of publications. 

The role/Te mahi 

This role will be instrumental in advancing the Faculty’s reputation for high-quality legal education and research. The new Dean will provide strong leadership within a collaborative academic environment. As a successful leader in their field, the Dean will further enhance our standing as a leading Law Faculty. They will address the challenges and seize the opportunities presented to a progressive Law School, driving forward our research excellence and student success. 

Collaboration and external engagement are expected, and the Dean will ideally have a track record of meaningful engagement with the legal profession, local and international law communities, government, business, and other key stakeholders. The Dean is a member of and will work closely with the NZ Council of Legal Education. 

The Dean will foster a culture of equity, diversity, and inclusion. They will uphold the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and lead the Faculty in achieving the goals of the University’s Māori, Pacific, and Equity and Diversity Strategic Frameworks.

The Dean is a key member of the Humanities Division's leadership team, contributing to the Division’s strategy and the broader advancement of the goals set out in the University’s strategic documents - Pae Tata and Vision 2040. 

Skills and experience/Kā pūkeka me kā wheako 

This position offers an exciting and unique opportunity to shape the future of legal education in Aotearoa, New Zealand. 

To be considered for appointment, candidates will ideally have:

• Distinguished academic credentials with a strong record of research and teaching in law.
• Evidence of leadership in a university setting with the ability to enhance the academic and research reputation of a leading law faculty.
• Proven ability to build meaningful relationships and drive external engagement with a wide variety of stakeholders.
• Strong academic management and leadership skills that foster an inclusive, collegial culture.
• Experience of supervising postgraduate research theses.
• Knowledge/awareness of values and key aspects of te ao Māori, and commitment to respect and uphold those values, guided by Ngāi Tahu, as mana whenua in the region.                   

While the University has a strong preference for making an appointment at the level of Professor, it is open to making an appointment to the level of Associate Professor if that rank is appropriate for the most suitable candidate. 

This is a permanent, full-time (1 FTE) position, located in Dunedin. 

Applications close Sunday, 21 July 2024.