DEPUTY DIRECTOR (ACADEMIC)

The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts

DEPUTY DIRECTOR (ACADEMIC)

In a city renowned for its international outlook and connectivity, The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts plays a unique and influential role in developing future generations of performing artists that include performers, practitioners, designers and technicians. The Academy’s six Schools: Chinese Opera, Dance, Drama, Film & Television, Music, and Theatre & Entertainment Arts create a vibrant centre of practice, production, teaching and practice-as-research. Its outstanding reputation is reinforced by the quality of its performers and its partnerships with other centres of excellence locally, regionally and internationally. With international residencies, visiting artists and alumni, including some of the most respected professionals in their disciplines, the Academy is committed to the training of future world-class performers and practitioners. HKAPA is ranked number 1 in Asia and number 10 in the World for Performing Arts by the QS Rankings.

The intensive phase of development and implementation that the Academy has now entered will be framed around developing Academy’s 10-year Strategic Plan and its implementation in 2024, key accreditation processes to be undertaken through to 2023, and overseeing the newly launched curriculum.  To lead this key phase, the Academy is seeking to fill the position of Deputy Director (Academic). As such, applications are now being sought from experienced and motivated individuals who have an interest in filling this role and the ability to lead the Academy through a significant developmental cycle.

Position Description
Reporting to the Director, the Deputy Director (Academic) is a dynamic leader responsible for managing and overseeing the ongoing review and development of the Academy’s six schools and academic units’ educational programmes and their related operations. He/She, as the most senior academic manager, will play a key role in planning and implementing the Academy’s strategic developments. The successful applicant should demonstrate extensive experience in programme development and accreditation, and possess a thorough and practical-based understanding of the HKCAAVQ or the equivalent, and related validation and QA processes, and a comprehensive professional understanding of the unique characteristics of performing arts education within a higher education context.  He/She will also have a track record of successfully leading impactful academic developments with a global vision.

The candidate should be action and outcome focused. He/She is expected to embrace planning within an institutional-wide context and to develop a culture of Practice-as-Research within the Academy, as well as the concept of interdisciplinary education. In response to professional and industry needs, he/she should undertake on-going curricula development, promotional activities in student recruitment, and opportunities for innovation in educational design through the use of new technologies, flexible delivery, authentic learning programmes, and global educational partnerships.

KEY REQUIREMENTS
Applicants should address the following criteria in their applications and, where appropriate, cite relevant examples:
•    Possess a recognised PhD or an equivalent terminal degree for at least 4 years;
•    Possess over 15 years of  fulltime and solid work experience in the higher education sector with a solid understanding of the performing arts;
•    Evidence extensive and high-level management and leadership experience within the higher education sector;
•    Demonstrate capacity to think and plan strategically with a global perspective;
•    Exhibit thorough familiarity with programme validation processes and mechanisms overseen by the HKCAAVQ or the equivalent, and demonstrate an effective track record of leading validation processes, and achieving successful outcomes;
•    Possess a thorough and applied understanding of quality assurance processes within the higher education sector locally and internationally;
•    A track record of leading and contributing to academic development within higher education institutions particularly in relation to the performing arts;
•    Demonstrate ability to plan for effective use of resources in the provision of high quality outcomes to students, staff and other stakeholders;
•    Demonstrate excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the proven ability to work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders and maintain a harmonious work environment
•    Possess excellent industry and international connections;
•    Exhibit proven ability to lead teams to meet stringent deadlines while achieving effective outcomes; and
•    High level of spoken and written proficiency in English. Proficiency in Chinese and Putonghua would be an advantage.

TERMS OF APPOINTMENT
The position will be offered for a four-year period with the possibility of a further extension following an appropriate review process. The benefit package includes 15% end of contract gratuity, leave, housing allowance, medical and dental scheme, and airfare allowance as appropriate.  The current standard rate of income tax in Hong Kong is 15%.

APPLICATIONS
To apply, please complete an Application Form (https://www.hkapa.edu/file/content_block/124/P-21 (2017-09_01).pdf) and submit together with a covering letter, curriculum vitae and copies of academic qualifications, to the Human Resources Office, The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, No.1 Gloucester Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong, or email (hro@hkapa.edu).  Please quote reference code ‘DepD(Ac)’ in the Application Form.  Applications are now open until the post is filled.

The Academy reserves the right not to fill the position.  The information provided will be used for consideration of an application.

HKAPA is an equal opportunity employer.
Personal data collected will be used for recruitment-related purposes only.