Media releases

Federation University today advertised two executive positions to support the university in its current and emerging strategic direction.

In a move to promote new perspectives and innovative thinking, these new positions are open to women only.

The University’s executive team is currently over-represented by men, with five men and no women. It is calling for women-only applications for the following two opportunities:

• Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Global and Engagement
• Director, Governance and Strategy.

The Equal Opportunity Act 2010 (Vic) (s.12) allows for special measures designed to promote or realise substantive equality.

Advertising for women in these roles will enable the University to attract high calibre candidates that may not otherwise be drawn to these positions due to the current composition of the executive team.

This initiative aims to enhance career opportunities for emerging leaders across the community.

Gender-diverse leadership at executive level is shown to increase an organisation’s problem-solving ability and its lateral and critical thinking skills.

Gender diversity benefits all, as teams with gender diversity have been shown to enhance performance and create stronger job satisfaction and inclusive practice.

Federation achieved SAGE Athena Swan bronze accreditation in 2019 with a four-year plan to identify and address gaps and barriers to gender equity in science, technology, engineering, maths and medicine (STEMM).

The action plan will support future opportunities for women in leadership.

For more information on the positions or to obtain a copy of the Candidate Brief, visit careers.federation.edu.au, applications close 6 December 2020.

Quotes attributable to Federation University Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Duncan Bentley

“This initiative is a proactive step toward gender equity at Federation University. Our workforce is 61 per cent women with no representation at the executive level, and this step aims to achieve inclusivity within our organisation across all levels.”  

“This is just one of the methods that Federation and other universities are using to attract excellent women to apply for career opportunities in senior leadership. We are hoping to accelerate the achievement of our representation targets so we can all benefit from the increased diversity sooner rather than later.”

“I believe there is a clear lack of visible role models and pathways for women in our executive leadership and implementing stronger gender diversity at Federation is not only the right thing to do, it makes excellent business sense.”