Associate Director, Student Transitions
- The University of Waikato
- New Zealand, WKO
- Jul 31, 2026
Job Description:
Lead the University’s student success and resolution services, helping students transition, persist and achieve across their studies.
Continuing, full-time role based at our Hillcrest Campus
Additional university leave and competitive superannuation
Flexible working, onsite parking and discounted gym membership
Ngā kōrero mō te tūranga – About the role
This is an exciting time for the University, and for the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) portfolio in particular, as it builds a more connected experience for students from admission through to graduation. The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) is responsible for teaching and learning, curriculum oversight, academic governance and quality assurance, student administration and enrolment, and the pastoral care and support of students.
The portfolio is undergoing significant change to put students at the centre and align its services and leadership with the University's future direction. This role has been created to help lead and shape that work.
As the portfolio undergoes transformational change to better support student success, strengthen the student experience, and ensure services and leadership are aligned to the University’s future direction, this newly established role has been created.
The purpose of the role is to provide strategic leadership and operational oversight of the University’s student success and student resolution functions across the student lifecycle. Reporting to the Director of Student Services, you will lead a team of managers and professional staff delivering conversion, retention, programme advice, complaints and appeals, and student discipline and academic integrity processes, all focused on helping students transition well, persist and achieve. The role will contribute to shaping a more connected and responsive portfolio that enables students to thrive, supports staff to deliver high-quality services and learning experiences, and helps ensure the University continues to meet the evolving needs and expectations of its students.
While the purpose of the role is clear, there is genuine scope for the successful candidate to help shape how it evolves in practice. This is an opportunity to bring your expertise, influence direction, and make the role your own while contributing to the future of the University’s academic portfolio and the success of its students.
Salary will be in the range of $123,224 to $141,022 per year pro rata based on skills, knowledge and experience brought to the position. This is a full-time role (37.5 hours a week), based on our Hillcrest Campus. For more information on the role please see the position description.
For a confidential conversation about the role, please contact Michelle Blake, Director, Student Services, at [email protected] All applications must be submitted through the online portal, emailed applications will not be accepted.
Ko wai koe? – Who are you?
You are an experienced, people-centred leader with a track record in student success, student services or a comparable complex service environment. You combine strategic thinking with operational delivery, and you bring sound judgement and procedural fairness to sensitive matters. You hold a postgraduate qualification with relevant experience, or a relevant bachelor’s degree with extensive experience.
You will bring:
demonstrated experience in learner success, student support, student services, student resolution or a comparable complex service environment
proven ability to provide strategic leadership and manage people, teams and service operations effectively
success in leading service improvement, change or innovation that lifts learner engagement, retention and progression, or the quality and consistency of complaints, appeals, student discipline and academic integrity processes
a strong understanding of the factors that influence student transition, belonging, persistence, success and completion, and the fair resolution of student matters in tertiary education
capability in managing budgets, resources, performance outcomes and cross-functional initiatives in complex environments
excellent communication and relationship-building skills, including the ability to engage constructively with students and whānau and to oversee complex complaints, appeals, student discipline and academic integrity processes with procedural fairness
a demonstrated understanding of and commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and mātauranga Māori, and the ability to apply this in leadership, decision-making and service delivery.
A relevant postgraduate qualification, experience with student management systems, CRM or case management tools, and an understanding of natural justice in student-facing processes would each be an advantage.
Don’t meet every single requirement? Research shows that some people are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every qualification. At The University of Waikato, we’re committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, and genuine workplace. So, if you’re excited about this role but your experience doesn’t perfectly match every listed qualification, we still encourage you to apply. You might be just the right person for this or another opportunity on our team.
Ko wai mātou? – Who are we?
Situated within the Student Services portfolio, Student Transitions plays a critical role in helping students choose well, transition successfully, persist in study, navigate concerns fairly and achieve positive outcomes across their learner journey.
We provide integrated, high-quality services and coordinated interventions across conversion and transition support, retention, programme advice, and complaints, appeals, student discipline and academic integrity. Together our work strengthens learner success, progression and institutional confidence in student resolution processes.
He aha ngā take me tono mai ai koe? – Why should you apply for this position?
We want you to be part of our success! Our university stands proudly on the world stage as a provider of future-focused, international education and an active player in global research. Our rankings reflect these strengths. Working with us means you’ll enjoy a satisfying work environment with many benefits.
The University of Waikato is distinctive for the diversity of its staff and students and encourages applicants with the relevant capabilities from all backgrounds to apply. Applicants must have the legal right to live and work in NZ in accordance with the NZ Immigration regulations which can be found here.
Ko te Tangata – For the People
The University of Waikato prides itself on the quality of its engagement with the communities that it serves, the provision of a world-class education and the national and international impact of its research. Our policies are guided by the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi and equal opportunity for all.
E herea ana te Whare Wānanga ki te kaupapa kia whakaratohia te mea angitū ōrite ki ngā tāngata katoa.
Applications Close on August 16, 2026
Requisition number: 1003818
The University of Waikato holds a special place in the New Zealand university system. Since its inception in 1964 when it was created by the demands of the local community, the University has shown a commitment to innovation and to...
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Job Description:
Lead the University’s student success and resolution services, helping students transition, persist and achieve across their studies.
Continuing, full-time role based at our Hillcrest Campus
Additional university leave and competitive superannuation
Flexible working, onsite parking and discounted gym membership
Ngā kōrero mō te tūranga – About the role
This is an exciting time for the University, and for the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) portfolio in particular, as it builds a more connected experience for students from admission through to graduation. The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) is responsible for teaching and learning, curriculum oversight, academic governance and quality assurance, student administration and enrolment, and the pastoral care and support of students.
The portfolio is undergoing significant change to put students at the centre and align its services and leadership with the University's future direction. This role has been created to help lead and shape that work.
As the portfolio undergoes transformational change to better support student success, strengthen the student experience, and ensure services and leadership are aligned to the University’s future direction, this newly established role has been created.
The purpose of the role is to provide strategic leadership and operational oversight of the University’s student success and student resolution functions across the student lifecycle. Reporting to the Director of Student Services, you will lead a team of managers and professional staff delivering conversion, retention, programme advice, complaints and appeals, and student discipline and academic integrity processes, all focused on helping students transition well, persist and achieve. The role will contribute to shaping a more connected and responsive portfolio that enables students to thrive, supports staff to deliver high-quality services and learning experiences, and helps ensure the University continues to meet the evolving needs and expectations of its students.
While the purpose of the role is clear, there is genuine scope for the successful candidate to help shape how it evolves in practice. This is an opportunity to bring your expertise, influence direction, and make the role your own while contributing to the future of the University’s academic portfolio and the success of its students.
Salary will be in the range of $123,224 to $141,022 per year pro rata based on skills, knowledge and experience brought to the position. This is a full-time role (37.5 hours a week), based on our Hillcrest Campus. For more information on the role please see the position description.
For a confidential conversation about the role, please contact Michelle Blake, Director, Student Services, at [email protected] All applications must be submitted through the online portal, emailed applications will not be accepted.
Ko wai koe? – Who are you?
You are an experienced, people-centred leader with a track record in student success, student services or a comparable complex service environment. You combine strategic thinking with operational delivery, and you bring sound judgement and procedural fairness to sensitive matters. You hold a postgraduate qualification with relevant experience, or a relevant bachelor’s degree with extensive experience.
You will bring:
demonstrated experience in learner success, student support, student services, student resolution or a comparable complex service environment
proven ability to provide strategic leadership and manage people, teams and service operations effectively
success in leading service improvement, change or innovation that lifts learner engagement, retention and progression, or the quality and consistency of complaints, appeals, student discipline and academic integrity processes
a strong understanding of the factors that influence student transition, belonging, persistence, success and completion, and the fair resolution of student matters in tertiary education
capability in managing budgets, resources, performance outcomes and cross-functional initiatives in complex environments
excellent communication and relationship-building skills, including the ability to engage constructively with students and whānau and to oversee complex complaints, appeals, student discipline and academic integrity processes with procedural fairness
a demonstrated understanding of and commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and mātauranga Māori, and the ability to apply this in leadership, decision-making and service delivery.
A relevant postgraduate qualification, experience with student management systems, CRM or case management tools, and an understanding of natural justice in student-facing processes would each be an advantage.
Don’t meet every single requirement? Research shows that some people are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every qualification. At The University of Waikato, we’re committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, and genuine workplace. So, if you’re excited about this role but your experience doesn’t perfectly match every listed qualification, we still encourage you to apply. You might be just the right person for this or another opportunity on our team.
Ko wai mātou? – Who are we?
Situated within the Student Services portfolio, Student Transitions plays a critical role in helping students choose well, transition successfully, persist in study, navigate concerns fairly and achieve positive outcomes across their learner journey.
We provide integrated, high-quality services and coordinated interventions across conversion and transition support, retention, programme advice, and complaints, appeals, student discipline and academic integrity. Together our work strengthens learner success, progression and institutional confidence in student resolution processes.
He aha ngā take me tono mai ai koe? – Why should you apply for this position?
We want you to be part of our success! Our university stands proudly on the world stage as a provider of future-focused, international education and an active player in global research. Our rankings reflect these strengths. Working with us means you’ll enjoy a satisfying work environment with many benefits.
The University of Waikato is distinctive for the diversity of its staff and students and encourages applicants with the relevant capabilities from all backgrounds to apply. Applicants must have the legal right to live and work in NZ in accordance with the NZ Immigration regulations which can be found here.
Ko te Tangata – For the People
The University of Waikato prides itself on the quality of its engagement with the communities that it serves, the provision of a world-class education and the national and international impact of its research. Our policies are guided by the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi and equal opportunity for all.
E herea ana te Whare Wānanga ki te kaupapa kia whakaratohia te mea angitū ōrite ki ngā tāngata katoa.
Applications Close on August 16, 2026
Requisition number: 1003818
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