With some 800 students, HEAD – Genève, University of Art and Design offers BA and MA level courses in the fields of Fine Arts, Film Studies, Space Design, Visual Communication and Fashion, Jewellery & Accessory Design. Recognised as one of the best art and design schools in Europe, HEAD promotes international exchanges while being deeply rooted in the professional fabric and local cultural life in which it actively participates. It carries out a large number of contracts with various private and public partners, as well as research projects within its institute. HEAD is one of the six university-level schools belonging to HES-SO Geneva. In view of the retirement of the current incumbent, the Director General of HES-SO Geneva is inviting applications for the position of: Director of the University of Art and Design – Geneva.

Job profile

The future director, will be required to offer a vision of art, film and design, its teaching and its new fields of application, which will then be implemented in the school’s goals, i.e. basic training, continuing education, artistic research and the provision of services. They will be responsible for rallying the teaching and administrative teams around an ambitious school project that responds to current artistic, design and societal issues thereby developing close relationships with cultural and academic institutions, as well as with the economic fabric, at local, national and international levels. Mindful that HEAD remains a recognised player in regional cultural life, they will work to promote its activities and ensure their visibility. Responsible for the educational, artistic and administrative management of the school, they will ensure participative governance, coherent organisation and optimal allocation of resources, both human and financial. They will represent the school at cantonal and inter-cantonal level, particularly within the domain of HES-SO’s Design and Visual Arts. Finally, as a member of the HES-SO Genève Board of Directors, they will actively contribute to the definition and implementation of the school’s strategy, in a spirit of collegiality and complementarity.

Personal profile

The post-holder will have a strategic vision, interpersonal skills and charisma that enables them to unite teams around a common academic and artistic project, in a spirit of participation and inclusion of all stakeholders. Their inspiring personality will enable them to rally their partners and wide professional network, both regionally and internationally. Thanks to their adaptability and forward-looking vision, they will be at ease in changing environments and know how to find concerted solutions while promoting the institution’s policies and values. With creative and innovative thinking, they will be pragmatic and quickly understand the strategic, human and financial challenges of an organisation like HEAD. Finally, as an inventive personality in the world of art and design, they will be sensitive to interdisciplinarity and new technologies and have a marked interest in teaching and research.

The position requires a minimum of an MA degree in art, solid management experience, ideally in the field of higher education and professional experience in the field of art and design, with an international outlook. In addition to English, knowledge of German is an asset.

The recruitment policy of HES-SO Genève promotes equal opportunities and diversity.

Place of work: Geneva
Start date: 1 January 2023
Tenure: Permanent full-time

Those who feel ready to contribute to these goals should send expressions of interest (CV + letter of motivation) by 18 March 2022 to contact@artemia-executive.com.

For further information, please contact our agent on +41 21 213 08 03. Complete confidentiality throughout the process is guaranteed.