Director

Academy of Theater and Dance

Located in the heart of Amsterdam is the Academy of Theater and Dance (ATD), a renowned higher professional education institution where all theater and dance disciplines are represented. The academy has three departments: Theater, Dance, and DAS, and offers programs at every level: five bachelor’s programs with a total of eleven specializations, three master’s programs, and one associate degree program. All programs are linked to professional practice, both nationally and internationally. Our more than 600 students are trained to become actors, mime artists, dancers, choreographers, theater or dance teachers, as well as directors, set designers, technical designers, production managers, or creative producers. The ATD also has its own research group, the ATD Lectoraat, which conducts practice-oriented research into the “performing arts.”

The Academy of Theatre and Dance is part of the Amsterdam University of the Arts (AHK), which educates 3,300 students. In addition to the ATD, the AHK comprises the Conservatorium van Amsterdam, the Netherlands Film Academy, the Breitner Academy, the Academy of Architecture, and the Reinwardt Academy. In short, if you have a passion for the performing arts, education, and research, perhaps have experience in higher (arts) education, and recognize yourself in the profile below, then the Academy of Theater and Dance is looking for you as Director (m/f/x - 1.0 FTE).

Organization and developments

The Academy of Theatre and Dance is a leading educational institution in the Netherlands: we are the only theater and dance academy where all disciplines are represented. The academy, which is located at multiple sites in the heart of Amsterdam, employs approximately 370 staff members (220 FTE), as well as a flexible pool of guest lecturers from the professional field. As mentioned above, the academy is divided into three domains: Dance, Theater, and DAS (master’s programs and research). The director leads the academy and collaborates with the Management Council, which, in addition to the director, consists of the chairs of the three domains, the head of operations, and the head of quality and policy (who also serves as academy secretary). Artistic directors oversee the programs, supported and facilitated by various educational support and general support departments. Through the biweekly Strategic Consultation, the director maintains regular contact with the directors of the other AHK academies and with the Executive Board (CvB). The director also holds monthly working meetings with the Executive Board and reports to it. In addition, there is collaboration with representative bodies, such as the Academy Council and the program committees for each domain, and there are contacts with external partners and advisory committees to ensure alignment with the professional field.

The ATD is an educational organization with a passion and love for its field and the arts. All staff members are deeply committed to the students, want the best for them, and work hard. They take pride in the students’ strong results and evaluations, as well as in the small scale and diversity of the various programs. In addition, staff and students share a desire to make an impact and demonstrate the role art can play in society. The ATD is also a complex organization with a rich history, a wide range of disciplines, and diversity in educational and artistic styles and approaches. This can lead to a lack of clarity and decisiveness in strategy, leadership, and structure. Within the organization, there is a strong need for greater clarity regarding the overarching strategy, internal coherence, consultation structures, decision-making, and role definitions. Over the past year and a half, work has therefore been underway under the leadership of an interim director to improve the decision-making and management structure, with the aim of linking the strategic and operational lines between the artistic, educational (policy), and business components more clearly, effectively, and efficiently. The new director will need to continue this transition process in terms of strategy, governance, and structure, and ensure a sustainably stable organization of the academy—both in terms of structure, content, and finances. This must be done at a time when rapid developments in education, the cultural sector, politics, and society are creating a dynamic playing field. Additionally, social safety for students and staff is an important issue that is receiving significant attention.

What will you be doing?

You are responsible for positioning the Academy of Theater and Dance within the field of higher arts education and within a rapidly evolving performing arts landscape, both nationally and internationally. You naturally engage with networks of internal and external stakeholders. These include fellow (arts) colleges, national networks for (higher) arts education and cultural education, external partners within the cultural sector—specifically the performing arts (both nationally and internationally)—and advisory committees to ensure alignment with the professional field. You will build connections with various cultural and educational partners in the city of Amsterdam and pay close attention to the role of the ATD in local talent development. You recognize and experience the urgency of major societal issues and are driven from within to give space to all stories. You will lead the further development and implementation of the updated organizational strategy that has been in place for the past year and a half and ensure a sustainable, organizationally and financially healthy organization. You maintain an overview, provide direction, and foster shared leadership. You drive momentum by motivating and inspiring others to take action and through your ability to initiate change. You foster growth by continuously focusing on the development of people and teams and by encouraging collaboration at all levels. You are driven from within to offer students and staff a work and study environment in which they feel seen and where attention is paid to workload and mental well-being. You ensure a pleasant, safe, and inclusive environment for students and staff. You are an accessible point of contact for the representative bodies (Academic Council and program committees). You will foster strong horizontal connections with your fellow directors from other academies, and together you will work on cross-academy strategic themes for the AHK. You will report to the Executive Board.

Duties and Responsibilities

• The Academy Director is authorized and ultimately responsible for the entire academy (education, research, and operations), strengthens further internal organizational development, and, together with the academy community, ensures the vision for the (curricular) development of disciplines within a dynamic cultural field and in the context of evolving educational trends. In this regard, financial sustainability, flexibility, lifelong learning, and digitization are demanding increasing attention;
• The academy director ensures that the ATD remains inclusive and accessible to talented individuals by investing in talent development and fostering connections with cultural education, and works to ensure that every member of the community feels as much at home at the academy as possible;
• The academy director guides the development of further interdisciplinary collaboration and synergy within the ATD and ensures a strong connection to the professional field;
• The academy director works with the academy to ensure clear and transparent communication, personnel policy, the further integration of employee participation, and knowledge sharing;
• The academy director represents the ATD in the AHK’s strategic consultation process and serves as the primary point of contact for internal and external relations;
• The academy director collaborates with the directors of the other AHK academies; fosters and promotes connections between the ATD and the other academies;
• The academy director promotes the ATD locally, nationally, and internationally;
• The academy director reports to the AHK Executive Board.

Who are we looking for?

We are looking for an enthusiastic, decisive, and values-driven director with a deep passion for the performing arts. A unifying, empathetic director with expertise in arts education who can create an inclusive community of staff and students. A director with a strong personality who can decisively strengthen internal processes and structures. Someone who is self-reflective, at the heart of the academy and society, and approachable to students and staff. Someone who is decisive, maintains a strategic focus, has artistic and educational ambition, and is willing to take risks, while also ensuring organizational stability.

Skills and Qualities

The new director

• is familiar with the world of theater, dance, and/or the performing arts in general, and the culturally diverse field in particular;
• is development-oriented and inspiring, with experience in and a forward-looking vision of education, society, and the further development of arts education. Has an appreciation for the traditions and history of the craft being taught, as well as an eye for renewal and innovation within the discipline. This vision is rooted in a broad understanding of the importance of the arts (and arts education) in society;
• has experience leading complex, multifaceted organizations or teams in which professionals perform their duties with a high degree of autonomy. Is a leader with coaching skills. Gives professionals the freedom to work independently but also knows how to set boundaries, and reminds them of their responsibilities when necessary;
• has experience with strategic change management and engaging employees in the change process;
• provides guidance for the education of enthusiastic and engaged students in a turbulent world and is attentive to the potential concerns and uncertainties of students and staff;
• is able to handle unexpected situations involving students, staff, or the building, and acts as a mediator to ensure the continuity of education;
• is enterprising and curious, has an eye for the application of innovative technologies in education, and, with that in mind, forges connections with professional fields and other (art) disciplines that can contribute to this;
• appreciates the metropolitan and international vibrancy in which the ATD is rooted and knows how to leverage this vibrancy in collaboration with and for the academy; enthusiastically and passionately promotes diversity, inclusion, equality, and social safety;
• maintains an overview, identifies connections within the broad, multifaceted organization of the ATD, and introduces structure where necessary; possesses the process skills and drive required to design and implement the complex processes that need to be followed;
• is comfortable with the AHK’s governance philosophy and further develops the governance model chosen by the ATD within the framework of the AHK’s governance philosophy;
• is a connector capable of fostering collaboration at all levels within the academy;
• is approachable and reflective, is deeply engaged with both the academy and society, is accessible to students and staff, is articulate, and can communicate openly and attentively;
• is a visible leader who focuses on the internal environment: has experience working in a diverse, inclusive, and socially safe academic setting, actively contributes to its further development, and is able to provide inclusive leadership to all employees and other stakeholders involved in the organization;
• also serves as the visible public face of the organization, fostering a clear connection with the performing arts community, with genuine interest and commitment to the world surrounding the ATD;
• possesses persuasive skills and a clear vision (in terms of content) and is capable of positioning the ATD strongly and prominently in relevant fields.

What do we offer?

The ATD is a vibrant, welcoming organization with enthusiastic and dedicated colleagues. We offer an environment where creativity, commitment, and initiative are valued. In addition, we offer a position with a competitive salary and excellent benefits in accordance with the collective labor agreement for higher professional education (CAO-HBO). Salary will be determined based on expertise and experience. Initially, this is a one-year employment contract, with the intention of converting it into a permanent contract. A (development) assessment will be part of the hiring process.

Interested?

For this recruitment process, we are being assisted by the executive search firm Colourful People. For more information, please contact senior partner Naima Azough at 06-43449717 or n.azough@colourfulpeople.nl. You can express your interest by submitting your resume and cover letter no later than Sunday, April 6, 2025via the application form upload it to the Colourful People website. Would you like more information about the profile and the organization? Send us an email at n.azough@colourfulpeople.nl, and we'll send you a detailed profile as soon as possible.

Note: You will normally receive confirmation of receipt of your application within one business day. Please contact us immediately via n.azough@colourfulpeople.nl, if you do not receive this confirmation.

Schedule:

• Please submit your applicationby Sunday, April 6, 2025, via the Colourful People website.
• The first round of discussions is scheduled for Thursday, April 24, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• The second round of discussions is scheduled for Wednesday, May 7, 2025, from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
• The assessment and reference check will take place in week 20.

We ask candidates to take the above dates into account. An in-person assessment, a reference check, and a certificate of good conduct are part of the selection process for the final candidate.

At theAmsterdam School of the Arts, we embrace the power of diversity and strive to create an inclusive culture for students and staff where everyone feels at home. We believe that our differences make us stronger and contribute to better and more diverse arts education.