A/4.1 Organisational structure
Policy Owner | Vice-President (Administration) and University Registrar |
Approval Date | 30/06/2022 |
Approval Authority | Council |
Date of Next Review | 30/06/2025 |
4.1.1 Purpose
4.1.2 Application
4.1.3 Roles and responsibilities
4.1.4 Vice-Chancellor and President
4.1.5 Heads of divisions
4.1.6 Senior executive officers
4.1.7 Executive dean of faculty
4.1.8 Other senior officers
4.1.9 Academic organisational structure
4.1.10 Professional organisational structure
4.1.11 Definitions
4.1.12 Delegations
Related Documents
Modification History
4.1.1 Purpose
QUT's organisational structure is designed to promote the efficient and effective management of the University and to support its vision – the university for the real world – and purpose – to provide transformative education and research relevant to our communities (Connections - the QUT Strategy 2023 to 2027). This policy sets out the requirements for establishment and disestablishment of organisational structures and the designation of principal and other senior officers within that structure.
4.1.2 Application
This policy applies to organisational structures established as a constituent part of the University. It does not apply to subsidiary companies.
4.1.3 Roles and responsibilities
Position |
Responsibility |
|---|---|
|
Council |
|
|
Vice-Chancellor and President |
|
| Director, Governance and Performance |
|
4.1.4 Vice-Chancellor and President
Council has delegated all operational aspects of the management of the University to the Vice-Chancellor and President as chief executive officer (referred to as Vice-Chancellor).
As chief executive officer, the Vice-Chancellor and President provides leadership to the University, promotes QUT’s vision, priorities and objectives, and advances its development and organisational values.
The Vice-Chancellor and President is ultimately responsible for the management, operation and performance of the University, including its academic, administrative, financial and other functions. The Vice-Chancellor is designated as President of the University, recognising the responsibility for the professional functions of the University.
4.1.5 Heads of divisions
The Vice-Chancellor and President (A/4.1.4), may nominate heads of division for the overall leadership, management and administration of a division.
Positions that may be a head of division include the Vice-Chancellor and President, Provost/Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor, and Deputy Vice-Chancellors and/or Vice-Presidents.
4.1.6 Senior executive officers
The following senior executive officers are responsible for the overall leadership, management and administration of high-level University functions.
Provost and/or Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor
This position is responsible to the Vice-Chancellor and President for the leadership, management and improvement of a senior portfolio of activities, including overseeing academic governance and the academic faculties. The Provost/Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor acts for the Vice-Chancellor and President in that officer’s absence.
The Provost/Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor position is equivalent to a head of division.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor and/or Vice-President
A Deputy Vice-Chancellor and/or Vice-President is responsible to the Vice-Chancellor and President or a Head of Division for the leadership, management and improvement of a senior portfolio of activities.
4.1.7 Executive dean of faculty
An executive dean of faculty is responsible to the Provost/Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor for the leadership, management and integration of the activities of schools and centres of the faculty and for promoting a sense of unity, cooperation and common purpose within the faculty. The executive dean is assisted in management of relevant functions of the faculty by a deputy dean and associate deans.
4.1.8 Other senior officers
Pro Vice-Chancellor
A pro vice-chancellor is a senior officer responsible for a University-wide strategy or function reporting to the Vice-Chancellor and President, to the Provost/Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor or to a deputy vice-chancellor.
Deputy Dean of faculty
A deputy dean is responsible to the executive dean of the faculty and assists in management of the faculty. A deputy dean provides leadership and supervision to the faculty’s associate deans, including specialist student support and related academic functions.
Associate Dean of faculty
Associate deans are responsible to the deputy dean of faculty for managing activities such as learning and teaching or research within the faculty.
Head of School
A head of school is responsible to the executive dean of faculty for academic leadership and management of the school.
Executive Director
An executive director is a senior officer responsible to a head of division or another senior officer for the operation and management of a substantial or specialised department, institute or function.
Director, department/independent section
A department/independent section director is responsible generally to a head of division or portfolio for the operation and management of the particular department/independent section.
Research Centre Director
A research centre director is responsible to the relevant executive dean of faculty for the coordination of research and doctoral programs in areas associated with the research centre.
4.1.9 Academic organisational structure
The academic organisational structures of the University are established by Council to:
- undertake teaching and learning and/or research (through faculties and schools), and/or
- provide academic support activities to promote quality and best practice in teaching and learning (including curriculum), and research (including engagement and collaboration).
The organisation of QUT’s academic areas is based on identifiable complementary discipline areas which are grouped into faculties and schools. Faculty and school status is determined by factors including:
- educational, administrative and economic efficiencies
- size (staff FTE, student EFTSL)
- number, complexity and diversity of courses and facilities
- coherence with respect to courses, and professional or disciplinary orientation
- level of research, consulting and fundraising activity
- identified need for leadership at executive dean of faculty, deputy dean or head of school level respectively.
Research activities are pursued through university research centres, faculty research centres and research groups.
Research structures that reside within faculties and portfolios are defined in the Research structures policy (D/1.2).
QUT has five faculties (Business and Law; Creative Industries, Education and Social Justice; Engineering; Health; Science) and one institute (the Carumba Institute).
4.1.10 Professional organisational structure
The professional organisational structures of the University are established by the Vice-Chancellor and President to undertake core administrative and corporate services. Professional areas are grouped into divisions, portfolios, departments and sections, as determined by administrative efficiency and alignment of services, including factors such as:
- size, including students, staff, other stakeholders and facilities serviced; staff employed; records maintained; transactions performed
- number, complexity and diversity of activities performed
- number, size, diversity and complexity of facilities, equipment and systems used.
The following divisions have been established: Chancellery, Administrative and Academic.
4.1.11 Definitions
Faculty means a formal grouping of academic programs, schools, disciplines, centres, or any combination of these, drawn together for educational purposes and/or administrative efficiency and convenience.
School means a formal grouping of academic and professional staff, physical facilities and equipment, which is aggregated in order to conduct courses identified with specific professions or disciplines. Schools are responsible for teaching, consulting, research and community service, and for associated academic support activities.
Institute is a formal grouping of staff engaged in research and teaching activities contributing to university strategies and initiatives.
Division is a formal grouping of a number of portfolios, departments and/or independent sections drawn together for the purpose of coordinating activities and for administrative efficiency and convenience. A division is characterised by complexity of operation and responsibility for the provision of a wide range of administrative and/or academic support services.
Portfolio is a formal grouping of a larger number of staff, physical facilities and equipment, which is responsible for a major functional area or administrative or academic services. Portfolios are part of a division and may contain departments and sections.
Department is a formal grouping of a number of staff, physical facilities and equipment, which is responsible for a functional area of administrative or educational services. Departments are part of a division and may contain sections.
Section or unit is a formal grouping of a relatively small number of staff, physical facilities and equipment, which is responsible for the performance of a discrete set of activities. Sections are normally part of a department. A number of sections within the University are classified as 'independent sections' and have similar responsibilities to a department, but on a smaller scale.
Research centres contribute to the University's research agenda and capacity as defined in the Research structures policy (D/1.2).
Organisational chart is the graphical depiction of QUT's Organisational Structure, including reporting lines and organisational hierarchies and accountabilities.
4.1.12 Delegations
Refer to Register of Authorities and Delegations (C048, C049, VC032) (QUT staff access only).
Related Documents
MOPP B/8.7 Conflict of interest - definition of ‘Key Management Personnel’ to be read in conjunction with A/4.1 Organisational structure
MOPP D/1.2 Research structures
MOPP Appendix 5 QUT Organisational Structure
Queensland University of Technology Act 1998
Modification History
| Date | Sections | Source | Details |
| 21.11.22 | A/4.1.6, A/4.1.7, A/4.1.8 |
Vice-President (Administration) and University Registrar | Administrative change to align the definition of Key management personnel (KMP) with the University’s statutory reporting obligations, and provide clarity to staff regarding which roles constitute a KMP for the purposes of managing conflicts of interest, disclosures, and financial reporting obligations |
| 30.06.22 | A/4.1.4, A/4.1.5, A/4.1.6, A/4.1.7, A/4.1.10 |
Council | Revised policy to update Heads of Divisions and Senior Executive Officers, and remove the naming of organisational units section (A/4.1.10) |
| 14.12.21 | A/4.1.6 | Council | Revised policy to include changes to the International Portfolio - International and External Relations, and position title change from Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (International) to Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (International and External Relations) |
| 29.04.21 | All | Council | Revised policy to include changes resulting from QUT’s Repositioning QUT for a post-COVID world organisational restructure (effective 31.01.21) |
| 19.02.20, 27.02.20 | A/4.1.5, A/4.1.8 | Vice-Chancellor and President, Council | Revised to include division name change - Division of Resources to Finance Business Solutions Division |
| 25.11.19 | A/4.1.5, A/4.1.6, A/4.1.7 | Council | Revised policy to include new Carumba Institute; new position title, Deputy Dean; and position title changes for Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Learning and Teaching) to Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Education) and Vice-President (Resources) and Chief Financial Officer to Chief Financial Officer - effective 01.01.20 |
| 21.08.19 | A/4.1.7 | Council | Revised section to incorporate content on institutes from revised research structures policy (D/1.2) |
| 22.01.19 | A/4.1.5 | Vice-Chancellor and President | Approved change to position title Vice-President (Administration) and Registrar to Vice-President (Administration) and University Registrar - effective 29.07.19 |
| 09.01.19 | All | Director, Governance and Legal Services | Policy revised to include approved position title change from assistant dean/s to associate dean/s - effective 01.01.19 |
| 20.12.18 | A/4.1.5 | Vice-Chancellor and President | Revised to include division and position title changes - Division of Research and Commercialisation to Division of Research and Innovation; Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Commercialisation) to Deputy Vice-Chancellor and President (Research and Innovation) - effective 01.01.19 |
| 08.08.18 | A/4.1.5 | Council | Revised policy to include changes to portfolio responsibilities and titles of principal officers - disestablishment of the Division of Technology, Information and Library Resources and Vice-President (Technology) and Chief Information Officer; establishment of new division and new position - Division of Business Development and Vice-President (Business Development) - effective 01.01.19; division title change from Division of International and Development to Division of International and position title of Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (International and Development) to Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (International); reporting line for Institute Executive Directors changed from Provost to Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Commercialisation) - effective 01.01.19 |
| 23.04.18 | All | Council | Revised and simplified policy, including title change and updated principal officer position titles - Vice-Chancellor to Vice-Chancellor and President; Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor to Provost; Registrar to Vice-President (Administration) and Registrar; Executive Director, Finance and Resource Planning to Vice-President (Resources) and Chief Financial Officer; Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Technology, Information and Library Services) to Vice-President (Technology) and Chief Information Officer; Deputy Vice-Chancellor (International and Development) to Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (International and Development) - effective 01.07.18 |
| 05.05.17 | A/4.1.3 | Vice-Chancellor | Revised policy to remove disestablished position Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Corporate Programs and Partnerships) - effective 31.12.16 |
| 09.12.16 | A/4.1.3 | Enhancing the Student Experience REAL Difference Change Manager | Revised policy to include REAL Difference initiative, approved name change for division, Division of Technology, Information and Learning Support to Division of Technology, Information and Library Services and position title, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Technology, Information and Learning Support) to Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Technology, Information and Library Services) - effective 03.01.17 |
| 11.12.13 | A/4.1.3 | Chancellor (on behalf of Council) | Policy revised to reflect a name change from Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic) to Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor |
| 17.11.12 | All | Registrar | Periodic review - minor editorial changes |
| 26.05.12 | A/4.1.3 | Vice-Chancellor | Editorial amendment to include addition of Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Corporate Programs and Partnerships) |
22.02.12 |
A/4.1.4 |
Council |
Policy revised to include change to reporting arrangements for institute directors |
22.06.11 |
A/4.1.6 |
Council |
Disestablishment of Faculties of Science and Technology and Built Environment and Engineering (with effect 31.12.11) and establishment of Science and Engineering Faculty (effective 01.01.2012) |
19.02.11 |
All |
Vice-Chancellor |
Policy revised to include approved position title change for Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Teaching Quality) to Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Learning and Teaching) |
| 21.10.09 | All | Council | Revised and renamed policy (replaces former policies A/4.1, A/4.2, A/5.1 and B/1.2) |
| 24.10.08 | All | Governance Services | Renumbered and relocated to A/5.1 (formerly A/3.3) |
| 29.07.05 | A/5.1.10 | Vice-Chancellor | Approved responsibilities for institute directors (endorsed by University Academic Board 01.07.05) |
| 21.10.04 | A/5.1.2, A/5.1.3, A/5.1.4 | Vice-Chancellor | Revised responsibilities of senior officers in accordance with current management structure (added new sections A/5.1.2 Deputy Vice-Chancellors and Heads of Division, and A/5.1.4 Executive Director, Finance and Resource Planning; deleted former A/5.1.3 Pro-Vice-Chancellors; re-numbered remaining sections) |
| 05.10.04 | A/5.1.7, A/5.1.8 | Secretariat | Editorial amendment consistent with Creative Industries structure and Appendix 3 - Schedule of Authorities and Delegations |
| 24.06.03 | A/5.1.9 | Vice-Chancellor | Approved responsibilities for faculty research centre directors |
| 14.04.03 |
A/5.1 |
Vice-Chancellor | Re-defined role of University Executive. |
| 03.01.02 | A/5.1.7, A/5.1.8 | Vice-Chancellor | Approved responsibilities for senior officers within Creative Industries Faculty |
| 07.07.99 | A/5.1 | Council | Approved Council Procedure 4 (replaces former Statute 5 - The Vice-chancellor and other University Officers) |
| 17.06.98 | A/5.1.2 | Vice-Chancellor | Revised responsibilities (endorsed by Vice-Chancellor's Advisory Committee 17.6.98) |
| 17.06.98 | A/5.1.3 | Vice-Chancellor |
Revised responsibilities (endorsed by Vice-Chancellor's Advisory Committee 17.6.98) |