PRINCIPAL HEAD (EXTERNAL AFFAIRS)

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 Principal Head (External Affairs) is a senior management position that plays an instrumental role in connecting strategic and operational level drivers to facilitate multi-faceted educational and research activities in an international context.  The post holder will provide high-level leadership for managerial decision-making to drive the implementation of the Academy’s global development strategies, as well as measure and assess their development across all areas of the Academy with specialist focus on elite education in the performing arts.  He/She will also assist the Academy in establishing a new campus in the Northern Metropolis and maintain a close and sustainable network of relevant authorities/organisations/institutions in Mainland China.  By providing oversight and maintaining sustainable relationships with all the Academy’s local, regional, Mainland and international partners, including higher education institutions, performing arts communities, the creative and cultural industries, alumni, prospective students, and government bureau, this role will require a thorough understanding of current developments in higher education, preferably in the performing arts sector, within a local, regional, Greater Bay Area, Mainland China and global context.  

The Principal Head (External Affairs) reports to the Director, and line-manages the staff of the External and Mainland Affairs Office and oversees the activities of other associated support units.

Key Requirements:
• Proven and rich relevant experience in working at and communicating with Mainland authorities/organisations/institutions with good professional connections and network in the Mainland China.
• A higher degree in a relevant field preferably with relevance to performing arts or the arts in general.
• Previous experience in leading and developing strategic initiatives relating to internationalisation and external relations as well as providing high-level steer and professional executive support to the Academy (e.g. writing and negotiating Memorandum of Understandings “MoUs”) to establish partnerships with relevant authorities/organisations/institutions.
• High level management, communication and interpersonal skills with demonstrable ability to work collaboratively with a diverse range of staff and partners.
• The ability to present effectively and with confidence to senior-level managers, the Academy’s management groups and, as required, to the Academy Council.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including Chinese (Putonghua and Cantonese) and English.
• Demonstrable experience in leading and ensuring the timely delivery of project outcomes.
• Previous experience in a tertiary institution, or a knowledge of the trends and best practices in higher education, particularly those related to performing arts, is an advantage.

TERMS OF APPOINTMENT
Appointment will be on a two-year contract.  Renewal of contract is subject to performance and operational needs of the Academy.  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.  Non-accountable Cash Allowance will be provided to the eligible appointee.