Head Of The Centre For Creative Arts

MIT is committed to the development of a Centre for Creative Arts which encompasses the existing Visual Arts delivery under the Manukau School of Visual Arts. This is a new role where the successful individual will  provide leadership and change management to the MIT Centre for Creative Arts during its initiation and development phases. This position is responsible for the leadership of the Manukau School for Visual Arts as well as the establishment of the new Centre, with the aim of bringing future growth to the region through the arts.

Some of the immediate core responsibilities for the incoming individual will include:-

• Designing and implementing a development plan for the Center for Creative Arts
•   Appointing an Associate Head of Centre;
•  Providing leadership and support to the programme leaders to develop / re-develop programmes in line with the implementation of the Center for Creative Arts;
•  Forging “horizontal synergies” between different departments and subjects with the aim to build upon the portfolio of courses available as well as introducing new ones;
•  Leading the delivery of creative writing at MIT, specifically making links across the performing arts, film, TV and theatre.

For an individual in their mid-career this is a fantastic opportunity to make a step up and lead a significant change management programme in one of New Zealand’s most highly respected tertiary education institutions.

The methods and approach to the teaching and learning of the creative arts are traditionally archaic. This individual will be encouraged to “rattle chains”, while at the same time win the hearts and minds of the Faculty staff. They will manage a talented young team   as well as a budget of around $1.8 million. Due to the nature of the role, they will also have an input into defining the physical environment of the new Centre; therefore not only having a direct impact on the legacy of the educational process but also the legacy of the MIT campus overall.  

The career trajectory of the target individual for the role of Head of the Centre for Creative Arts will include achievements / accumulation of the following:

• Be a recognised specialist in a relevant arts discipline; 
• PhD Qualified  
•  Will have held a senior management role within a creative arts and/or a tertiary education institution;
•  Proven success in managing large scale change;
•  Be adept in performance management and is able to demonstrate prior success in the mentoring and development of a team
•  Has been effective working with aggressive KPIs; 
•  Previous experience managing budgets with tacit knowledge of tertiary funding and policy models;
• Can demonstrate expertise and passion for the whole education process; 
• Demonstrated ability to communicate with people form diverse cultures, age, gender abilities, disciplines and learning styles;
• An affinity with New Zealand and ideally the Manukau region;
• Understanding of the Treaty of Waitangi and how it applies to the education sector.