National Head of Design Department

JMC Academy; Sydney; On-site; AUD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

JMC Academy seeks a National Head of Design to provide academic and operational leadership for Design disciplines across Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane campuses. The role reports to the Executive Dean and oversees teaching excellence, student experience, curriculum development and compliance with national course standards.

The role leads senior staff and contractors, manages budgets, and champions inclusive curriculum while building industry partnerships and overseeing course accreditation and

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Design or related field is required.
• Extensive higher-ed teaching experience with unit coordination and curriculum design.
• Demonstrated leadership of academic teams and staff performance management.
• Strong industry connections and ability to broker partnerships for placements and live briefs.

Responsibilities

• Lead academic and operational leadership for Design disciplines across Sydney campuses.
• Manage resources, budgets, timetabling and compliance with TEQSA/ESOS.

Skills

Academic leadership

Budget management

Staff development

Curriculum design

Education

Master's degree in Design or related field

AQF Level 8+ qualification

Tools

Canvas LMS

Job description

National Head Of Department - Design

Founded in 1982, JMC Academy is Australia's premier institution in Creative Industries education, offering a diverse range of Degrees and Diplomas in Music, Songwriting, Audio Engineering, Film and Television Production, Acting, Entertainment Business Management, Visual Communication (Design), Animation, Game Design, and Music Production. With a 40-year legacy, JMC Academy provides cutting-edge and technologically advanced programs that meet the global demands of the creative industries. JMC operates from 3 large footprint campuses across the east coast of Australia (VIC, NSW & QLD), teaches ~2,500 students per annum and is positioned as one of the largest private higher education providers in Australia.

With advanced-design campuses, ongoing technology upgrades, a dedicated team of academics and industry professionals, and a network of international master class lecturers, JMC Academy is committed to ensuring our graduates make their own indelible mark on industry.

JMC Academy’s ultimate focus is to deliver inspiring and technologically sophisticated programs, which cater to the global needs of the Creative industries. By nurturing, supporting and mentoring students who share a true passion and dedication for these industries, we can guide them into rewarding careers.

We educate and inspire creative minds to shape their careers and our world.

At JMC Academy, we educate and empower creative minds to transform their passion into lifelong careers and meaningful contributions to the world.

As a vibrant, inclusive community of innovators and explorers, we deliver rigorous, real-world education in the creative industries, uniting academic excellence with practical experience, emerging technologies and industry engagement.

We nurture resilience, compassion, and curiosity in every student, helping them chart their unique path, shape their careers, and become creative leaders who inspire, connect, and thrive, locally and globally.

Our Vision

To be the global leader in creative education, chosen by creatives, trusted by industry.

Our Values

• Creative Innovators - An opportunity to dream, bring our creative genius to life, making meaningful contribution and delivering innovation to the world stage.
• Curious & Resilient Explorers - In a world of uncertainty, we are a team of curious minds, who embrace the uncertain, creating a life of learning, exploration and inspiration. At JMC we grow our voice to be confident and unstoppable. We aren’t afraid to fall, as we know we will rise.
• Inclusive Community of Connectors - We create meaningful pathways, only possible through our connections and impact.
• Empathetic & Compassionate Leaders - We care about every individual who walks through our doors, with kindness in our hearts and purpose in our minds.
• Honest, Accountable & of Uncompromising Quality - Our honesty, integrity and quality will not be compromised, as we strive to achieve our best. We are determined to reach our goals, as we hold ourselves and each other accountable.

Our Difference

Creative education requires a unique approach. This is why the JMC student experience is different. Our world-class studios, student spaces and hands-on learning inspire creative exploration, collaboration and innovation.

YOUR ROLE, HONESTLY

The National Head of Design Department provides academic and operational leadership for Design disciplines at JMC Academy across Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane campuses. Reporting to the Executive Dean, the role is accountable for teaching excellence, student experience, course-level outcomes, compliance and the day-to-day operation of the department.

The National Head of Department leads a team of Senior Lecturers, Lecturers and Contractors / sessional staff, manages resources and budgets, and ensures delivery is aligned with national course standards, the Higher Education Standards Framework, and JMC Academy policies. The role champions inclusive curriculum, contributes to course review and development, oversees assessment moderation, and shapes department-level improvements informed by student feedback and data.

Externally, the Head of Department builds strategic industry alliances, placement programs and live briefs, represents JMC in professional and community forums, and supports recruitment, marketing and outreach for the course locally. The role is a key member of the campus academic leadership team and works in close partnership with the Campus Managers on operational matters.

Note: JMC Academy offers a Bachelor of Design (Visual Communications) and units in Production Design for Film and Television. The National Head of Design should have the capacity and expertise to provide leadership across a range of design fields.

What You’ll Do

• Deliver engaging, practice‑led teaching that integrates current industry practice and scholarly pedagogy.
• Lead teaching excellence and ensure alignment of course delivery with national teaching standards.
• Coordinate the Design course nationally, ensuring academic quality, curriculum currency and compliance.
• Oversee assessment moderation, ensuring consistency, timely marking, feedback and grade entry.
• Contribute to curriculum review, innovation and the development of teaching materials and unit content.
• Lead student showcases, presentations and industry engagement initiatives that enhance graduate outcomes.
• Drive strategies to improve student success, retention, satisfaction and engagement, while supporting at‑risk students through early intervention.
• Foster an inclusive learning environment that promotes equity, Indigenous knowledge and student wellbeing.
• Champion digital teaching innovation, creative practice and the effective use of learning technologies, including Canvas LMS.
• Lead departmental creative productions, exhibitions and research‑informed teaching initiatives.
• Provide national leadership for the Design discipline, including staff leadership, performance management, recruitment, onboarding and professional development.
• Build strong industry partnerships, securing placements, live briefs, guest practitioners and collaborative opportunities.
• Support student recruitment through Open Days, outreach activities, community partnerships and strategic marketing initiatives.
• Manage departmental budgets, resources, timetabling, reporting, facilities and equipment.
• Ensure compliance with TEQSA standards, ESOS obligations, WHS requirements and JMC Academy policies.
• Contribute to course accreditation, quality assurance, research, scholarly activity and professional representation of JMC nationally.

Work Health, Safety & Wellbeing

All JMC Academy employees share responsibility for maintaining a safe and healthy workplace. In this role, you are expected to take reasonable care for your own health and safety, and for the health and safety of others who may be affected by your work; comply with JMC Academy's WHS policies, procedures and safe work practices, and follow reasonable instructions from JMC or emergency response personnel; report all hazards, incidents, injuries and near misses to your line manager as soon as practicable; participate in WHS consultation, training and wellbeing initiatives relevant to your role; and contribute to a respectful, inclusive and psychologically safe work environment, free from bullying, harassment and discrimination.

What You’ll Bring

• Tertiary qualifications relevant to the Design discipline at AQF Level 8 (Master's) or higher; AQF Level 9 / 10 highly regarded; equivalent demonstrated industry standing in a creative discipline considered.
• Significant professional / industry standing and continuing currency in one or more relevant Design areas of the creative industries (such as Visual Communications, Motion Graphics, Production Design etc).
• Substantial higher education teaching experience, including unit coordination, assessment moderation, course-level oversight and contribution to curriculum design and review.
• Demonstrated experience leading academic teams, including line management of staff, performance management, recruitment, induction and capability development.
• Strong commercial and budget acumen - experience managing local budgets, P&L drivers, commercial initiatives, grants and resources within an academic or creative environment.
• Sound understanding of the Australian higher education regulatory environment - TEQSA's Higher Education Standards Framework, ESOS, AQF, course accreditation and quality assurance.
• Established industry network with proven ability to broker strategic alliances, placements, live briefs, guest practitioners and post‑graduation pathways.
• Track record of, or strong commitment to, scholarly activity, research or creative practice that contributes to discipline currency and to JMC's Scholarship Register.
• Strong interpersonal, communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to lead teams, manage change and represent JMC externally with confidence.
• Confident user of learning management systems (e.g. Canvas), digital teaching tools, and student record / reporting systems.
• Working with Children Check / equivalent state clearance (or willing to obtain).
• Visible alignment with JMC Academy's purpose, vision and values, including a commitment to quality, academic rigour, equity, and cultural and social diversity.

THE PRACTICAL BITS

• BASE: Sydney
• REPORTS TO: Executive Dean
• TYPE: Full time, Permanent.
• SALARY: Competitive, commensurate with experience; we'll talk specifics early in the process.