Dean, NAFA Graduate School (3-year contract)

The establishment of the NAFA Graduate School responds to the increasing demand for high-quality postgraduate education and research excellence across all disciplines in the arts. The role is essential to ensure coherence, quality assurance, and strategic alignment across all postgraduate offerings, and to position NAFA as a leader in postgraduate arts education regionally and globally.

Role Summary

The Dean of the NAFA Graduate School will serve as the academic and administrative leader responsible for the strategic development, operationalisation, and ongoing excellence of postgraduate education at NAFA. This role encompasses the oversight of curriculum design, research initiatives, faculty development, and interdisciplinary collaboration across all master’s programmes and doctoral programmes. The Dean will lead the Graduate School in alignment with NAFA’s mission, vision, and strategic priorities, ensuring a vibrant and sustainable ecosystem for advanced learning and innovation. As the Graduate School is a new entity, the Dean will play a pivotal role in shaping its foundational structure, governance, and academic culture. This includes:

• Translating the Graduate School Steering Committee’s recommendations into actionable strategies and institutional frameworks.
• Providing leadership in academic planning, resource allocation, and stakeholder engagement.
• Ensuring the financial and operational sustainability of the Graduate School and its programmes.
• Championing transdisciplinary approach and elective options that reflect contemporary practices and future-oriented thinking in the arts.

In addition to leading the Graduate School, the Dean will champion interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research and collaborate closely with the Research Division, research centres, institutes, and labs to ensure the curriculum remains current with emerging developments, while providing graduate students with opportunities to engage in cutting-edge research alongside faculty members.

Requirements

Academic and Professional Qualifications:

• A doctoral degree or equivalent terminal qualification in a relevant discipline in the arts, performing arts, or other creative practices.
• A distinguished record of academic leadership, teaching, and research in higher education.

Experience and Expertise:

• Proven experience in developing and managing postgraduate programmes in the arts and creative fields.
• Demonstrated ability to lead strategic initiatives, manage complex projects, and work collaboratively across disciplines, departments and institutions.
• Familiarity with curriculum design, programme development, assessment, education policy, accreditation processes, and quality assurance frameworks.
• Experience in financial planning, resource management, stakeholder engagement, and institutional governance.
• Experience in global academic affairs with extensive international network with universities and industries, showing a deep understanding of diverse socio-cultural contexts and evidence of forming sustainable partnerships.

Leadership and Vision:

• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills with the ability to inspire faculty, staff, and students.
• Visionary thinking with a commitment to innovation, interdisciplinarity, and global engagement.
• Ability to represent the Graduate School within NAFA, UAS and to external stakeholders, including academic partners, industry collaborators, and funding bodies.