The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts is entering an important and vital time in its academic development. It is now strongly positioned to develop and implement innovative and sector leading programmes across all of its six Schools. These programmes will leverage off the Academy’s unique multi-disciplinary learning environment, while also, importantly, acknowledging the unique learning methodologies and demands of each individual discipline. This development follows an intensive period of review of the Academy’s current curricula, which drew on the expertise of a broad range of leading international experts and consultants.
This intensive phase of development and implementation that the Academy is now entering will be framed around two key validation processes to be undertaken through to 2021. To lead this key developmental 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 leading the Academy through a significant developmental cycle.

Position Description:
As the Deputy Director (Academic), the successful applicant will be responsible for leading the ongoing review and development of the Academy’s educational programmes. The successful applicant should demonstrate extensive experience in course development and accreditation, a thorough and practical based understanding of the HKCAAVQ and related validation processes, and a comprehensive professional understanding of the unique characteristics of performing arts education within a higher education context. They will also have a track record of successfully leading academic development and validation processes.
The applicant will be action and outcome focused and be expected to embrace planning within an institutional-wide context, as well as embracing the concept of interdisciplinary education, on-going curricula development responsive to professional and industry needs, opportunities for innovation in educational design such as might be achieved through the use of new technologies, flexible delivery, authentic learning programmes, and global educational partnerships.

The Deputy Director (Academic) will be responsible to the Director of the Academy and will be required to:

• Take the lead role and responsibility for managing the Academy’s progress through the key validation processes involved in its Mid-Cycle Review and Periodic Institutional Review (PIR). 

• Work closely with the Academy’s Registrar to oversee the effective and timely preparation and submission of documents to the HKCAAVQ for the Academy’s Mid-cycle Review and PIR and to other Government, academic and professional bodies as required. 

• Chair the Board of Undergraduate Education (BUE), the Board of Postgraduate Education (BPE), the Academic Policy and Quality Assurance Committee (APQAC) and the Curriculum Review Committee, and serve as an ex-officio member of other Academy committees as and when required. 

• Guide the development of postgraduate education within the Academy. 

• Promote flexible modes of delivery and the use of innovative educational technologies to encourage further enhancement of all the Academy’s academic programmes. 

• Oversee and encourage the development of a culture of Practice as Research within the Academy. 

• Work closely with the Academy’s Librarian to oversee the service of the Library to ensure it meets the Academy’s educational and research requirements. 

• Take a lead role in student number projections and planning. 

• Line manage the following post-holders and take responsibility for their appraisal; 

• The Head of the Centre for Complementary Studies 

• The Head of the Innovation Hub 

• The Head of Postgraduate Studies 

• The Librarian 

• The Head of the Centre for Practice as Research 

• The Academy’s Deans will report to the Deputy Director (Academic) regarding all academic matters.

Other Responsibilities

• Discharge any reasonable additional duties as assigned by the Director.

KEY REQUIREMENTS
Applicants should address the following criteria in their applications and, where appropriate, cite relevant examples;

• Possess solid work experience in the higher education sector with a solid understanding of the performing arts. 

• Demonstrable management and leadership experience within the higher education sector. 

• Exhibit a thorough familiarity with programme validation processes and mechanisms overseen by the HKCAAVQ. 

• 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. 

• Demonstrate a familiarity with international systems of quality assurance and validation. 

• Demonstrable capacity to think and plan strategically. 

• A track record of leading and contributing to academic development within higher education institutions particularly in relation to the performing arts. 

• Demonstrable ability to plan for effective use of resources in the provision of high quality outcomes to students, staff and other stakeholders. 

• Possess excellent writing skills and a high level of proficiency in English and Chinese, including Putonghua. 

• Demonstrate excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the proven ability to work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders and maintain a harmonious work environment. 

• Exhibit proven ability to lead teams to meet stringent deadlines while achieving effective outcomes. 

• The possession of a recognised PhD or postgraduate qualification.