HEAD OF CONTEMPORARY DANCE

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.

The School of Dance offers full-time programmes from sub-degree Diploma to MFA level, together with its part-time Gifted Young Dancer Programme. In keeping with its conservatoire status, the School's philosophy is centred around performance practice and reflects the unique cultural mix of Hong Kong, emphasising both Chinese and Western traditions. Our graduates are versatile and work across genres/styles, media and forms, and the ability to integrate core contextual knowledge and performance practice as theory and practice are the uniqueness of the School's programmes.

The Head of Contemporary Dance reports to the Dean of the School of Dance.  This position entails providing pedagogic, creative and artistic leadership across all levels and courses in Contemporary Dance offered by the Academy. Responsibilities include curriculum development for the Contemporary Dance programmes and the selection and development of repertoire for public performances and tours. Additionally, the Head will provide administrative support to the Dean in matters of scheduling, course evaluation, assessment, student mentoring, committee work, staff development, and planning.

The Head of Contemporary Dance is required to teach Contemporary Dance Technique and at least one of the following areas: Contemporary Dance practice/repertory, Composition, Choreography, Analysis, Dance History, Improvisation, Aesthetics & Criticism or Dance pedagogy.  The Head will be committed to fostering strong connections with professional dance community at local, regional and international levels, engaging in professional development, and staying current with trends in professional dance training and scholarship.  Additional duties may be assigned by the Dean from time to time.

Requirements
Applicants should hold a higher degree (preferably with a postgraduate qualification), possess extensive professional experience, demonstrate substantial scholarly achievement, and have teaching experience at university level in a conservatoire context. Experience in academic leadership and management is essential. The successful candidate will serve on the School’s Management Committee and lead the Contemporary Dance department.  The Head will be expected to play a strategic role in the further development of Contemporary Dance within the School, aligning with the Academy’s new strategic plan and School priorities, particularly concerning research in practice-based programmes.

Applicants should have:
Essential Criteria 
• Advanced-level academic qualifications in dance studies (preferably with a postgraduate qualification); and a minimum of eight years' experience in teaching in contemporary dance, including teaching at University and Master’s level. 
• Substantial academic leadership and administrative/management experience in a contemporary dance or equivalent. 
• Proven ability to be a team player and leader within a programme.
• Demonstrated commitment to the scholarship of learning and teaching, as well as practice-based research.
• Strong dedication to the integration of theory and practice within curriculum content and employing innovative teaching practices, including e-learning.
• Solid understanding of contemporary dance practice, and current developments in the discipline, particularly as they relate to practice-based research. 
• Experience in curriculum design and writing. 
• Fluency in spoken and written English.

Desirable Criteria 
• Experience of/teaching in a multi-cultural context. 
• Fluency in spoken and written Chinese.

TERMS OF APPOINTMENT
Appointment will be on a two-year contract.  Renewal of contract is subject to performance. A gratuity payment equals up to 15% of the total basic salary earned during the contract period may be granted upon satisfactory completion of the full contract period.  The amount of gratuity payable will be the sum which, when added to the Academy’s contribution to a Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF) scheme as required by the MPF Schemes Ordinance, equals 15% of the total basic salary drawn during the contract period.  Fringe benefits include leave, medical, and dental benefits. Starting salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. Non-accountable Cash Allowance will be provided to the eligible appointee.