Careers

Associate Dean
Academic Programs and Employability

Burgmann College – ANU

At Burgmann College, our community is built on connection, curiosity, and genuine care for one another. We are looking for someone who shares these values — someone who enjoys working closely with young adults, believes in the power of education and mentorship, and wants to help shape the next generation of confident, capable leaders.

We are looking for an educator who has a strong knowledge of the ANU's curriculum, and experience in helping students develop the critical 'soft skills' that employers of the future need and want.

About the Role

This is a hands-on, student-facing role where you'll make a real and visible difference in the daily lives of residents. You'll design and lead the programs that help our students succeed academically, prepare for their careers, and navigate the challenges and opportunities of university life.

You'll work closely with the Principal, Deputy Principal, and Director of Student Culture and Development, as well as a team of passionate student leaders. You'll also be a trusted support person for residents — someone they can turn to for advice, encouragement, and guidance when things get tough.

Some after-hours work is part of the rhythm of College life, and flexibility is built into the role to support this. This is not a residential role, but you will need to live within half an hour of our campus as you will need to serve on a backup duty roster monthly.

What You'll Do

Support Students to Thrive Academically

• Create a supportive and inspiring academic program tailored to the needs of our residents.
• Offer personal, one-on-one academic counselling — helping students with study planning, motivation, skills, and confidence.
• Identify students who may be struggling academically and make sure they receive the right support early.
• Work alongside student leaders to organise workshops, revision nights, study groups, and other academic events that keep our community engaged.
• Oversee our tutorial program and build strong connections with ANU academics and external tutors.
• Promote a culture of academic integrity and respectful learning.

Help Students Build Their Future

• Develop an employability program that feels relevant, energising, and accessible to a diverse group of students.
• Run practical workshops on resumes, interviews, LinkedIn, internships, placements, and graduate pathways.
• Partner with the Director of Advancement to bring alumni back into the community for panels, mentoring, and networking.
• Coordinate our annual Alumni and Friends Mentoring Program.
• Build relationships with ANU services, organisations, and employers to create opportunities for residents.
• Encourage volunteering, leadership, and personal growth.

Contribute to a Caring, Connected Community

• Lead our team of Academic Network Coordinators and support their discipline-based community-building.
• Be a visible, approachable, and reliable presence in the College.
• Offer guidance and mentorship to residents and support their wellbeing as part of the pastoral care network.
• Assist in responding to incidents professionally and calmly, with a trauma-informed approach.
• Help the leadership team maintain compliance with the National Higher Education Code to Prevent Gender-based Violence.
• Share your skills with staff and contribute to a positive, collaborative workplace culture.

Operational Responsibilities

• Participate in the on-call roster (approximately one week every month). This is a back up roster for those on site, who are our first port of call.
• Maintain accurate documentation and uphold all relevant policies.
• Meet regularly with the Principal or Deputy Principal for planning and support.
• Live within 30 minutes of the College.

About You

We are looking for someone who:

• Cares deeply about student's experience of university learning.
• Can build trust quickly and communicate with warmth, clarity, and respect.
• Is comfortable navigating complex situations with good judgement and empathy.
• Enjoys working within a vibrant, sometimes unpredictable residential environment.
• Is proactive, organised, and ready to take initiative.
• Brings experience in academic support, community development, residential education, or a related field.
• Values teamwork and sees themselves as part of a collaborative, supportive staff community.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Tertiary qualifications and relevant experience, preferably at the ANU (a higher degree is highly desirable).
• Working with Vulnerable People registration, National Police Check, First Aid Certificate, and full driver's licence.
• Willingness to undertake training in emergency response, gender-based violence prevention, incident response, and student wellbeing.

Why Burgmann?

Burgmann is more than a residence — it's a community where students are encouraged to grow not just academically, but personally and ethically. Staff and residents work in partnership, and every member of our team contributes meaningfully to the life of the College.

In this role, you will have the chance to see students flourish, to guide them through challenges, and to help build a community that is safe, inclusive, and joyfully engaged in learning.

How to Apply

Read the position description here: https://bit.ly/3XkpGum

Please submit:

• A cover letter telling us why you're drawn to this role
• Your CV
• Contact details for referees

Applications close:10 December, 2025
Enquiries:Dr Brenda Holt, Principal (principal@burgmann.anu.edu.au)

College Profile

Burgmann College is a unique university residential community of 378 undergraduate and postgraduate students. Opened in 1971, Burgmann is affiliated with The Australian National University and is situated on its campus, proud to be on Ngunnawal and Ngambri land. In 2021, the College celebrated the 50th Anniversary of its Founding and celebrated its capstone 50th anniversary alumni reunion event Back-to-Burg in 2022. In its 50 years, Burgmann College is proud to have produced a remarkable and diverse group of alumni, now living and working all over the world.

Our mission is the growth of the whole person— a vibrant and dynamic residential experience which equips young people with the interpersonal and intellectual skills that will best serve them to excel academically and make their most valuable contribution to the world.

Burgmann offers exceptional pastoral care in a non-hierarchical, multi-year resident structure. The Principal, Deputy Principal and College Dean live on-site, contributing strongly to residents feeling safe in their home-away-from-home.

Burgmann residents play an extraordinary role in the College's governance, which gives them a powerful influence in making important decisions that affect them and their fellow residents and provides meaningful opportunities in governance training for a future generation of leaders.

The College was established by the Anglican, Baptist, Presbyterian and Uniting Churches and the Churches of Christ, which are represented on the College Council. There is no religious test for entry, re-entry or any process within the life of the College. However, the College is not a secular foundation. It has an inclusive Christian heritage, which continues in various ways to define its character and sustain its lifestyle.

Burgmann is a community comprising residential members (students and staff), members of Council and members of Convocation. Unlike many older colleges, Burgmann is a single community with no hierarchies of residential membership, and students play a significant role in the affairs of the College.

The College aims to provide:

• a vital community
• academic support
• pastoral care for members of the community and, where possible, a wider university population
• the empowerment and development of students, with maximum cooperation with resident bodies