The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts

DEAN OF THE SCHOOL OF MUSIC

In a city renowned for its international outlook and connectivity, The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (HKAPA) plays a unique and influential role in nurturing future generations of performing artists, including performers, practitioners, designers, and technicians. Ranked 10th in the 2026 QS World University Rankings for Performing Arts and 1st in Asia, the Academy and its Schools of Chinese Opera, Dance, Drama, Film & Television, Music, and Theatre & Entertainment Arts form a vibrant centre of practice, production, teaching, and practice-as-research. Its outstanding reputation is reinforced by the quality of its graduates and its partnerships with centres of excellence locally, regionally, and internationally. Through international residencies, visiting artists, and a distinguished alumni network—including some of the most respected professionals in their disciplines—the Academy is committed to training future world-class performers and practitioners.

The School of Music at the Academy offers comprehensive full-time programmes, including Diploma, BMus, MMus, and a planned doctoral degree, alongside its highly successful Junior Music Programme – comparable to the ‘Junior Schools’ of other world-leading conservatoires. In keeping with its conservatoire status, the School’s philosophy is centred on performance and reflects Hong Kong’s unique cultural mix, with an emphasis on both Western and Chinese traditions. The School comprises the Departments of Strings, Keyboard Studies, Vocal Studies, Woodwind/Brass/Percussion (‘WBP’), Composition & Electronic Music, Chinese Music, Academic Studies and Junior Music.

As part of the Academy’s senior management team, the Dean is responsible to the Deputy Director (Academic) for the academic, artistic and operational management of the School. The Dean should be a sophisticated, highly experienced performing arts practitioner and educator, bringing high-level, discipline-based expertise to the Academy to strengthen and elevate the School’s leading position in music education within the higher education sector. The Dean shall lead and shape the School's overall vision and academic development during a period of significant and exciting development within the Academy and the higher education sector in Hong Kong, and work collaboratively with senior staff and colleagues to fulfil the Academy’s Strategic Plan 2024-2033.

The Dean undertakes a broad range of duties at Academy and School levels to promote artistic excellence and pioneer innovative approaches to delivering performing arts education, exemplifying the Academy’s unique strengths and locational advantage as a dynamic and diverse cultural metropolis, with an emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration, arts technology and original creativity. The Dean plays a crucial role in developing local, regional, and international partnerships in music education, building on existing strengths and developing new areas that support the School's overall growth and positioning. The Dean shall provide leadership in the advancement of Chinese music within a global context.

Subject to negotiation, the preferred commencement date is no later than August 2027.

Key Requirements

The successful candidate should have a proven track record of outstanding achievement and leadership in music, music education, artistic practice, research, or a related professional field, including the following attributes:

(a) Strong academic and/or professional background in music or a music-related field, preferably with knowledge of practice-as-research; a recognised national or international profile; and the capacity to contribute to the development of Chinese music in globalised environment;

(b) A strong track record of teaching and scholarly achievement, preferably with experience in doctoral education, research supervision, or advanced postgraduate programme development;

(d) A successful track record of leadership within an educational institution or a similar performing arts organisation, with evidence of innovative approaches to programme management, staff development and institutional advancement/fundraising;

(e) Solid knowledge of trends and developments in performing arts education, as well as an in-depth understanding of music’s role within an interdisciplinary performing arts conservatoire context;

(f) A strong vision for the School and its future development, including leveraging technology innovation and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance artistic, professional and educational excellence, in line with the Academy’s strategic vision;

(g) High-level interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage and inspire diverse academic, artistic and professional communities;

(h) Evidence of successful outcomes in building productive partnerships among tertiary institutions, industry, community groups and international collaborators;

(i) A willingness and enthusiasm to embrace, lead and manage change;

(j) Demonstrated experience in strategic planning, financial stewardship, budgeting, and resource allocation, with the ability to manage and optimise human, physical, and financial resources effectively; and

(k) Fluency in written and spoken English; fluency in written and spoken Chinese/Cantonese will be an advantage.

TERMS OF APPOINTMENT

Appointment will be made on a 4-year renewable contract, subject to performance and mutual agreement, with an end-of-contract gratuity. Fringe benefits include leave, medical, dental and housing will be provided to the eligible appointee.

APPLICATIONS

To apply, please submit a completed Application Form (https://www.hkapa.edu/job-opportunity/dean-of-the-school-of_music) together with a covering letter, curriculum vitae and copies of academic qualifications, by email to (hkapa-d_music@odgers.com) on or before 3 November 2026. The application documents should be combined into one file in PDF format. Please quote reference code 'Dn(M)' in the Application Form. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

HKAPA is an equal opportunity employer.

Personal data collected will be used for recruitment-related purposes only.

The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts

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DEAN OF THE SCHOOL OF MUSIC