Perrett Laver will run the Vice-Chancellor search
Charles Darwin University has started the search for its next Vice-Chancellor and President. The university wants a new leader for its next chapter of impact and service.
CDU Chancellor Trevor Riley AO KC called the appointment one of the university’s most important decisions in the coming years. He said CDU holds a distinct place in Australian higher education as the Northern Territory’s university.
“Charles Darwin University occupies a unique place in Australia’s higher education landscape. As the Northern Territory’s university, we play a critical role in education, training, research and community development across some of the most diverse and geographically dispersed regions in the country,” Riley said.
The CDU Council wants a leader who can build on the university’s strengths. It is seeking someone who can inspire confidence and lead with ambition, integrity and purpose.
“We are looking for an individual with a demonstrated record of strategic leadership, a commitment to academic, research and vocational excellence, and a deep appreciation of the opportunities and responsibilities that come with serving the Northern Territory,” Riley said.
What happens next
The search will consider candidates from Australia and overseas. Executive recruitment firm Perrett Laver is managing the process.
Meanwhile, Professor Fiona Coulson will continue as Interim Vice-Chancellor and President while the recruitment process is underway. Further information about the position is available on the Perrett Laver website.
The recruitment process will also include consultations with key stakeholders. Those groups include staff, students, industry, government and First Nations leaders.
According to CDU, those consultations will help shape the leadership profile, the qualities sought in candidates and the priorities for the role. As a result, the university aims to match the appointment with its current strengths and future direction.
Riley said CDU’s next Vice-Chancellor will inherit an institution with strong foundations and major opportunities ahead. He linked the role to the university’s work in education, training and research across northern Australia.
“CDU is driven by a commitment to transform lives and communities through education, training and research,” Riley said. “Our next Vice-Chancellor will have the opportunity to shape the future of a university that is deeply connected to place, committed to equity and inclusion, and increasingly recognised for its impact nationally and internationally.”
The search also reflects CDU’s focus on First Nations leadership, regional development and educational access. It also highlights research that addresses the challenges and opportunities facing northern Australia and the wider region.
“We are seeking a leader who shares our commitment to First Nations leadership, regional development, educational access and research that addresses the challenges and opportunities facing northern Australia and our region,” Riley said.
