Head of School - Dunedin School of Art
Fulltime, permanent
Tēnā koutou katoa
Mō te tūraka mahi | About the role
The Dunedin School of Art is seeking an experienced and thoughtful academic leader to join our College leadership team.
Established in 1870, the Dunedin School of Art is Aotearoa New Zealand’s oldest art school and holds a significant place within the country’s creative and cultural landscape. As part of Otago Polytechnic, the School offers a cohesive suite of qualifications from certificate through to postgraduate level, supporting clear learner pathways and the ongoing development of artistic practice.
The School is known for its strong studio culture, vibrant creative community, and commitment to practice-based learning. Public exhibitions, collaborative projects, and engagement with local and national creative networks are central to the learner experience. The School also has a distinctive national footprint through the delivery of its ceramics programme across Aotearoa, helping ensure access to specialist art education beyond Dunedin while maintaining a strong sense of place, practice, and connection.
Reporting to the Head of College, the role is responsible for operationalising the strategic direction of the College and wider organisation, leading academic and professional kaimahi, and ensuring the delivery of high-quality art and creative education that is academically robust, financially sustainable, and responsive to the evolving needs of learners, communities, and the wider creative sector. The role holds responsibility for operational planning, resource management, budgeting, and ensuring the School is well-positioned for future growth and sustainability.
The HoS: Dunedin School of Art will provide strong people leadership, creating a collaborative and high-performing team culture while supporting excellence in teaching, learning, learner experience, and creative practice. The role leads day-to-day operations, supports curriculum quality and relevance, and ensures academic integrity and performance expectations are consistently met.
Key responsibilities include:
· Providing inclusive and effective people leadership to build a collaborative, high-performing team
· Leading academic quality, curriculum development, and continuous improvement across programmes
· Managing operational and financial performance, including planning, budgets, resource allocation, and reporting
· Strengthening relationships with industry, creative sector, community, and cultural partners
· Supporting a vibrant studio culture and learner-centred educational environment
· Embedding research-informed practice, Te Tiriti o Waitangi commitments, sustainability, and learner wellbeing
Ko wai koe | About you
You will bring leadership experience within tertiary education, creative practice, or a related field, along with the ability to translate strategy into action. You will be a confident and collaborative people leader with strong communication skills, sound operational judgement, and a commitment to learner success, equity, and creative excellence.
You will have a strong understanding of studio-based, practice-led, and learner-centred education, alongside experience in academic quality processes, programme development, and strategic planning. You will be capable of leading and supporting diverse academic teams through change and growth, while understanding the contemporary challenges and opportunities within art and creative education. The ability to build and maintain strong relationships with industry, community, and creative sector partners will also be important to your success in the role. You will also bring the ability to manage resources effectively, make informed operational decisions, and contribute to the long-term sustainability and success of the School.
A commitment to culturally responsive leadership practice and Te Tiriti o Waitangi is essential. The successful applicant will continue to develop and uphold their understanding of our obligations and connection with Te Tiriti, both as an individual and as part of the organisation. Through recognition, empowerment, and inclusion, you will support greater acknowledgement of the unmet needs of Māori, Pasifika, and disabled people and their whānau.
A research profile, active creative practice, or ongoing contribution to the arts sector would be advantageous. You will also demonstrate strong health and safety practices, value collegial and supportive team environments, and communicate effectively across a range of settings and stakeholders.
Tono ināianei | Apply now
For specific information contact Emma Hogg 0800 762 786 or emma.hogg@op.ac.nz
For a position description or to apply click on the link
Applications close: 5pm, 1 June 2026
Proposed interviews: week of 8 June 2026
Applications for this role will take you to the advertisers site.