Associate Director of School

Are you passionate about creating an exceptional student experience through organization, curriculum development, and effectively implemented quality assurance procedures? If so, we are looking for a uniquely qualified educator to join us at the Institute of Creativity and Innovation (ICI), a dual-degree institute founded by the University for the Creative Arts (UCA) and Xiamen University (XMU) in 2020.

ICI is establishing a distinctive approach to design education. We emphasise active models of teaching and learning that build students’ communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity skills. Most of our units are taught as project and problem-based studio learning, supported with research, while developing students as independent learners. You will help us shape and drive forward the ICI vision.

As Associate Director, you will actively support and ensure innovative curriculum development, quality assurance and enhancement, and the professional development of our staff. You will support the Director of School in further developing the relationship with Xiamen University, staff recruiting, and industry engagement. You will also participate in growing the scholarly profile at ICI by either contributing to ICI’s creativity and innovation research portfolio, ongoing professional practice output, or actively enhancing creative education at ICI and beyond. Further, you will prepare and deliver lectures, workshops, and tutorials, as appropriate to your professional background.

You will be based at Xiamen University’s Zhangzhou campus, which boasts a park-like environment, with mountains to the west, Amoy Bay to the north, and the South China Sea to the east. It is a short commute to Xiamen, the multicultural centre of South-East China.

A terminal degree in an appropriate discipline is required, as are a minimum of five year’s teaching experience, a teaching certification or equivalent, and several years of leadership experience in higher education. Most importantly, you will be a natural leader with an ability to bring individuals from many cultural and disciplinary backgrounds together to build an effective team. The role requires someone who can demonstrate resilience and initiative when faced with challenges. Problem solving is an essential skill and a reflective, adaptable approach to teaching and teaching support is necessary.

The University for the Creative Arts is an inclusive, dynamic environment with campuses across Surrey and Kent, and our Institute for Creative Innovation in China. UCA is growing as an internationally recognised centre of creative learning, with an increasing presence across the globe. UCA is 2nd ranked as the Guardian’s specialist university in the UK and 3rd ranked in The Times Good University Guide.

UCA offers a competitive compensation package including visa application expense allowance, relocation allowance, health and accident insurance, annual repatriation allowance, and accommodation. If you would welcome an informal chat about the role before applying, or any aspect of living and working in China, please contact Philip Lambert by email (Philip.lambert@uca.ac.uk) providing your contact details.

For further details and to apply for this post please visit our website https://jobs.ucreative.ac.uk

The University for the Creative Arts (UCA) aims to be a welcoming and inclusive University that is truly representative of all sections of society. We particularly encourage applications from people from minoritised ethnic groups and people with disabilities who are currently under-represented within the University.

Please note UCA may close a vacancy early in the event of high numbers of applications being received.