National Course Leader (Design)

anzuk; Sydney; On-site; AUD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

JMC Academy in Sydney invites applications for the National Course Leader (Design), a national academic leadership role shaping curriculum quality, industry engagement and graduate outcomes across Design programs.

Reporting to the Head of Faculty, Animation, Design & Leadership, you will lead the Bachelor of Design (Visual Communication) and drive curriculum innovation, studio-based learning, and industry partnerships across campuses.

Qualifications

• Master's or higher in Design or related discipline.
• Higher education teaching and leadership experience.
• Strong professional industry experience and networks.
• Experience leading curriculum development and academic quality initiatives.
• Passion for studio-based and practice-led learning.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder engagement and people leadership skills.
• Student-centred approach with commitment to positive learning outcomes.
• Knowledge of higher education quality, compliance and governance frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Lead the academic direction and quality of Design programs nationally.
• Drive curriculum innovation and ensure industry relevance.
• Foster a studio-based culture that values creativity, design thinking and contemporary digital practice.
• Lead, mentor and support academic teams across campuses.
• Enhance student engagement, progression and graduate outcomes.
• Build industry partnerships that create internship, work-integrated learning and employment opportunities.
• Support student recruitment, program promotion and future course development.
• Ensure compliance with higher education quality and governance requirements.
• Represent JMC Academy within industry and professional networks.

Skills

Leadership

Curriculum development

Industry engagement

People management

Student-centred learning

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Master's degree in Design

Job description

Applications are warmly invited for the National Course Leader (Design). A national academic leadership role shaping curriculum quality, industry engagement and graduate outcomes across JMC Academy's Design programs.

The Opportunity

This is a unique opportunity for an experienced design educator and academic leader to help shape the future of Design education at one of Australia's leading creative institutions. Reporting to the Head of Faculty, Animation, Design & Leadership, the National Course Leader (Design) will lead the Bachelor of Design (Visual Communication), ensuring high-quality teaching, curriculum development, industry engagement and strong student outcomes across JMC Academy's campuses.

This role is based at JMC Academy's Sydney campus, with national collaboration across Melbourne and Brisbane campuses.

Working collaboratively with faculty leaders, academics and industry partners, you will:

• Lead the academic direction and quality of Design programs nationally
• Drive curriculum innovation and ensure industry relevance
• Foster a studio-based culture that values creativity, design thinking and contemporary digital practice
• Lead, mentor and support academic teams across campuses
• Enhance student engagement, progression and graduate outcomes
• Build industry partnerships that create internship, work-integrated learning and employment opportunities
• Support student recruitment, program promotion and future course development
• Ensure compliance with higher education quality and governance requirements
• Represent JMC Academy within industry and professional networks

This role offers the opportunity to make a lasting impact on both the student experience and the future growth of Design education at JMC Academy.

About You

You are an experienced design professional and academic leader who is passionate about creative education and preparing students for successful careers.

You will bring:

• A Master's qualification or higher in Design or a related discipline
• Higher education teaching and leadership experience
• Strong professional industry experience and networks
• Experience leading curriculum development and academic quality initiatives
• A passion for studio-based and practice-led learning
• Excellent communication, stakeholder engagement and people leadership skills
• A student-centred approach with a commitment to positive learning outcomes
• Knowledge of higher education quality, compliance and governance frameworks

Professionals with backgrounds in Visual Communication, Graphic Design, Digital Design, Creative Technologies or related creative disciplines are encouraged to apply.

About JMC Academy

Founded in 1982, JMC Academy is one of Australia's leading private higher education providers for the creative industries. With campuses in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, JMC delivers industry-focused programs across Animation, Design, Film and Television, Music, Game Design, Acting and Entertainment Business.

JMC Academy is committed to practical learning, industry engagement and preparing graduates for successful creative careers.

JMC Academy is committed to providing a safe, inclusive and supportive environment for all students and staff. The successful applicant will be required to satisfy relevant employment screening requirements.

Applications close: Friday 25th September 2026